# Does this "offend" you? Why/Why not? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 10, 2008, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-offend-you-why-why-not/476507 "2008-12-10T04:15:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-offend-you-why-why-not/476507/21 "2008-12-10T15:12:02Z")
> [@tesseract](#): > > I’m not a prude Yes, you are. Cite: > [@](#): > > , and I’m offended, yeah, for the exact and obvious reason stated above. Crude objectification of women. This is so simplistic it needs no in-depth analysis. (Obviously a fake and not a Guinness-sponsored thing.) I’m actually surprised that so many posters have sort of defended it or called it no more offensive than any standard beer commercial. Um… > [@nyctea scandiaca](#): > > Yes I find it offensive and disgusting. I really doubt it’s real. > > on edit: I forgot to say why… well it’s pretty obvious - it’s a crude objectification of women. It reinforces many mens’ attitude that women are objects to be used. As posed in the OP, what would you think if the genders were reversed? ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-offend-you-why-why-not/476507/22 "2008-12-10T15:38:19Z")
For those that are offended, is it the multiple participants, or the use of her back as a table, or the combiniation? If it was just one guy behind her and the beer on her back, would it be offensive? I’m not trying to start something, I’m just trying to determine the line between fun & harmless enjoyment and participation by everyone involved, to objectification. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-offend-you-why-why-not/476507/23 "2008-12-10T16:27:43Z")
What woman? What female? All I see is some hair, a back and part of an ass. Who needs a face, right? (Yeah, I get that it wasn’t something that could be shown and the ‘joke’ is in the reveal, but it’s not as if disembodied female parts aren’t the norm in advertising.) And what better way for bros to bond than to gets some beers and bitches. Even if you’re going to argue ‘Oh well we can’t see her face maybe she’s having the time of her life and achieving her childhood dream to be a spitroasted,’ well, one, we can’t see her face, that’s part of the problem, and two, if a woman does want a great lay it still doesn’t mean she enjoys being treated as a piece of furniture. At the very least she’d demand a coaster. So all in all, about 10 percent more offensive than most ads actually commissioned and approved by beer companies. ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-offend-you-why-why-not/476507/24 "2008-12-10T16:35:23Z")
Well … the male parts are disembodied too. I agree with **Dread Pirate**. It’s a bit more blatant than most beer ads but my offense meter barely twitched. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-offend-you-why-why-not/476507/25 "2008-12-10T16:51:35Z")
Male, 35, like to drink and fuck and watch porn, more liberal than the Clintons. If it’s fake, it’s skeevy, but it made me laugh in disbelief, I’m not offended. If it’s real, it’s horribly offensive. It simply can’t be real - no marketing team could think that would pass muster. Joe ---
**Author:** ![EpicNonsense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c37758/32.png) [@EpicNonsense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EpicNonsense)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-offend-you-why-why-not/476507/26 "2008-12-10T17:18:12Z")
The commercial was pretty well done. But this in no way would pass with a large company. Many people will fall to thinking it’s a legitimate commercial and start hating on Guinness for it. I’m sure now, with this idea, there is going to be a lot more fake ‘banned’ advertisement hitting the Tube. I almost want to make a fake video myself now. Could be fun. As for the commercial itself. I thought it was amusing up until the second hand came in. Not what I was expecting. That’s when I actually laughed as it was a red flag telling me it was a fake. Using her as a cup holder wasn’t so offensive. It was only offensive that she was in a position where she wouldn’t be able to have some Guinness. I think her mouth was full. Plus, the sexual aspect of it was lame. If you’re gonna do a girl doggy atleast put some effort into it. Thought it was slow motion sex… (obviously she is on some special platform but they could have added a more hard core feel to it by speeding up the frames a little, and doing some other little tricks. would have been more interesting then.) 10/10 for the concept ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-offend-you-why-why-not/476507/27 "2008-12-10T17:30:14Z")
I think it’s in truly horrible taste, but it doesn’t actually _offend_ me. My first thought, before the second hand came in, was that with things staying that still, somebody was doing a piss poor job and should perhaps drink less beer. My second thought, after the second hand took the beer, was that _both_ of them were doing a piss poor job if you can still balance a beer on your back. My third thought was that half a Guinness isn’t enough to do anybody any good, and my fourth thought was that drinking from teh same bottle seemed awfully unsanitary, what with it being cold and flu season and all. ---
**Author:** ![EpicNonsense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c37758/32.png) [@EpicNonsense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EpicNonsense)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-offend-you-why-why-not/476507/28 "2008-12-10T18:02:52Z")
> [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > with it being cold and flu season and all. Trust me, that last worry on anyone’s mind was swapping spit from _the bottle_. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-offend-you-why-why-not/476507/29 "2008-12-10T18:06:04Z")
> [@Santo\_Rugger](#): > > As posed in the OP, what would you think if the genders were reversed? Please explain how exactly that would work… Regardless, thought, yes I would find it equally as offensive if the genders were reversed. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-offend-you-why-why-not/476507/30 "2008-12-10T18:58:04Z")
To be offended, I think I would have to have at least some remnant of the attitude that sex is evil/dirty/wrong/sacreligious/etc, and I don’t get that attitude at all. That said, I think there is a time and place for everything, and this wouldn’t belong in a commercial lineup for Hannah Montana or Spongebob, but it’s perfectly fine on Youtube IMO. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-offend-you-why-why-not/476507/31 "2008-12-10T19:00:14Z")
I think its pretty funny. They’re enjoying themselves, so who cares? The woman’s back is simply the most accessible place to put the beer. It would be different if she was being raped, but obviously thats not the case here ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-offend-you-why-why-not/476507/32 "2008-12-10T19:05:12Z")
> [@nyctea scandiaca](#): > > Please explain how exactly that would work… > > Regardless, thought, yes I would find it equally as offensive if the genders were reversed. Easy. The guy is laying on his back. He’s giving oral on one side (just like the gal in the original is presumably doing), and is being ridden cowgirl style on the other. The third hand is from the gal giving him a rim job. The beer is resting on his stomach. If you’re a guy, how is that _not_ awesome? ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-offend-you-why-why-not/476507/33 "2008-12-10T19:09:10Z")
Isn’t it two women and two men? ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-offend-you-why-why-not/476507/34 "2008-12-10T19:29:48Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > They’re enjoying themselves, Are they, though? Most of the women I know tend to, you know, _move_ when they’re actually into it. I don’t get the impression she’s unwilling, just not particularly engaged. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-offend-you-why-why-not/476507/35 "2008-12-10T20:53:33Z")
I’d enjoy it a lot more if I knew it was an all-male cast. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-offend-you-why-why-not/476507/36 "2008-12-10T21:03:36Z")
I don’t find it offensive. I find it rather dumb. Also, I’m not convinced that’s supposed to be a woman. ‘She’ has hair all over - it kind of looked like a guy to me. However, I’m not willing to bet on it or anything. I do actually like Guiness quite a bit and this wouldn’t inspire me to buy some. ---
**Author:** ![InterestedObserver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@InterestedObserver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InterestedObserver)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-offend-you-why-why-not/476507/37 "2008-12-10T21:26:24Z")
Thanks for all the input, folks. In response to whether this would bug me if the gender roles were reversed, it would, but for slightly different reasons. In that case, I think the general assumption would be that the guy was having a blast and play into the stereotype of men as rutting dogs. (the male stereotype I find most “offensive” and widely used in advertising, is that of the male as a domestic idiot :rolleyes:) Again, nothing to do with the sexual content per se, but with the implications involved in the scenario. (which of course, is a subjective interpretation, which is why I was asking, out of curiosity re’ the interpretations of others) Thanks 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2008, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-offend-you-why-why-not/476507/38 "2008-12-10T21:54:11Z")
In the context of watching it on TV, I’d be offended. A child doesn’t need to see it. In that sense it needs to be flagged on youtube for older viewers only. As an ad likely to help them sell product, nah, I don’t think so. I suspect it isn’t anything they really dreamed up…someone made a fake commercial and posted it. No cite, but I think that would be too risqué for a company that’s been in biz so long. In the context of watching it on youtube? It does not appear to be rape, so, consenting adults and all that. Many women would find it offensive, I think. I’d say it’s a joke in poor taste. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-offend-you-why-why-not/476507/39 "2008-12-11T04:34:35Z")
Put me in the “offensive and in very poor taste” column, regardless of whether it’s fake or real. Whether the actors were enjoying themselves or not is irrelevant; the point is that human sexuality is, yet again, an advertising tool. I also think an argument can be made for the objectification of women here. The slogan - “Share One With a Friend. Or Two” - one what? Bottle of Guinness? Woman? The supposed cleverness of the ad rests on that hint of ambiguity, from which viewers might have the idea that women should be shared as easily and as casually as a bottle of Guinness reinforced. ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2008, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-offend-you-why-why-not/476507/40 "2008-12-11T05:17:43Z")
I didn’t mind the innuendo of the ad so much as the lack of enthusiasm by the cast. A cold bottle on the small of my back would send me into such a frenzy there’d be no way it wouldn’t get spilled all over the place. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-offend-you-why-why-not/476507.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-offend-you-why-why-not/476507.md?page=3)