# Of All the Tacky Things in This World.... **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 6, 2003, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-the-tacky-things-in-this-world/199864 "2003-09-06T02:01:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5daacb/32.png) [@Tikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tikki)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-the-tacky-things-in-this-world/199864/1 "2003-09-06T02:01:50Z")
…this has got to be the tackiest and most distasteful too. I mean, would you buy it? [http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/H/HITLER\_WINE?SITE=KING&SECTION=MIDWEST&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT](http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/H/HITLER_WINE?SITE=KING&SECTION=MIDWEST&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT) ---
**Author:** ![Kayeby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Kayeby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayeby)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-the-tacky-things-in-this-world/199864/2 "2003-09-06T04:43:22Z")
Only if I shopped at [this](http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/east/08/10/hk.store.ap/index.html) store. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-the-tacky-things-in-this-world/199864/3 "2003-09-06T04:55:30Z")
Wow, what a head trip. Here’s the bit (from the second story) that really confuses me: “In April, soft drink giant Coca-Cola pulled a promotional robot figurine adorned with what appeared to be Nazi swastikas following criticism from a Jewish leader in Hong Kong.” ---
**Author:** ![Tikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5daacb/32.png) [@Tikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tikki)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-the-tacky-things-in-this-world/199864/4 "2003-09-06T04:59:20Z")
This stuff just make me want to cry. Not intended to cause an outrage indeed! ---
**Author:** ![green\_bladder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@green\_bladder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green_bladder)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-the-tacky-things-in-this-world/199864/5 "2003-09-06T05:25:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kayeby \* > \*\*Only if I shopped at [this](http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/east/08/10/hk.store.ap/index.html) store. \*\* That sad thing is that the store seems to be doing even more business after the lashing. ---
**Author:** ![green\_bladder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@green\_bladder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green_bladder)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-the-tacky-things-in-this-world/199864/6 "2003-09-06T05:26:31Z")
…_ **the** _ sad thing is… ---
**Author:** ![DreadCthulhu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DreadCthulhu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DreadCthulhu)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-the-tacky-things-in-this-world/199864/7 "2003-09-06T06:34:13Z")
Ah, they’re 1920’s style “Death Rays”. Seriously, while I find those bottles to be in extremely bad taste, the idea that a government could ban them makes me feel uneasy. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-the-tacky-things-in-this-world/199864/8 "2003-09-06T07:16:08Z")
Yeah, likewise… it’ll be interesting to see what Germany does with those policies as the Nazis move further into the past. ---
**Author:** ![Space\_Vampire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Space\_Vampire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Space_Vampire)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-the-tacky-things-in-this-world/199864/9 "2003-09-06T12:24:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Marley23 \* > \*\*Wow, what a head trip. Here’s the bit (from the second story) that really confuses me: > > “In April, soft drink giant Coca-Cola pulled a promotional robot figurine adorned with what appeared to be Nazi swastikas following criticism from a Jewish leader in Hong Kong.” \*\* Well, I don’t know for sure, but I would guess this is likely as not another case of Jews being ignorant of/not receptive to the fact that the swastika is a symbol that was in use long before the Nazis, including in Asian religions. I remember in the US a Pokemon card caused a big stir because it had such a benign use of a swastika. [Izzue.com](http://Izzue.com) is just full of shit though. ---
**Author:** ![Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krisfer_the_Cat)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-the-tacky-things-in-this-world/199864/10 "2003-09-06T20:38:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DreadCthulhu \* > \*\*Seriously, while I find those bottles to be in extremely bad taste, the idea that a government could ban them makes me feel uneasy. \*\* I would have to agree… it frightens me when a government starts dictating ethics to me. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-the-tacky-things-in-this-world/199864/11 "2003-09-06T20:54:27Z")
I guess we can assume the wine isn’t kosher? (Yeah, I know, I’m going to Hell). Seriously, what’s the point behind this? I don’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![cherry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cherry)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-the-tacky-things-in-this-world/199864/12 "2003-09-06T21:04:46Z")
The swastika is a religious Hindu symbol, like OM Onkar. Whenever I go to friends houses, they have swastika symbols on doorways, dashboard, I wonder if they’d be offended that their symbol is being used in this manner. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-the-tacky-things-in-this-world/199864/13 "2003-09-06T22:48:19Z")
You’re likely right, **Space Vampire**. I guess I’m surprised Coke took the chance anyway, given that you’re definitely right that activist groups never seem to appreciate that Nazis didn’t invent the swastika. Not by a long shot. It’s a pretty simple symbol and I’m pretty sure appears in several disparate cultures that pre-date Nazi Germany. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-the-tacky-things-in-this-world/199864/14 "2003-09-06T23:52:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Space Vampire \* > \*\*Well, I don’t know for sure, but I would guess this is likely as not another case of Jews being ignorant of/not receptive to the fact that the swastika is a symbol that was in use long before the Nazis, including in Asian religions. \*\* And if the store was using a swastika by itself, or in concert with other symbols of the same religious/cultural tradition, you would have a point. However, if you read the article you’ll see > [@](#): > > . . .One T-shirt has a portrait of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler standing on a laurel. ``` On a Navajo blanket, the swastika is simply a symbol for the sun. Amid rune stunes and other Norse symbols, the swastika is a symbol for Mjolnir, the hammer of Thor. Add a picture of Hitler and the swastika takes on a very different meaning. ``` > [@](#): > > . . . Red banners with white swastikas on top of iron crosses hung Saturday from the ceilings of some of the firm’s 14 stores. The banners also carried a sign that resembled the symbol of the Third Reich: an eagle above a swastika. Look at the picture in the article. Individually an eagle, a swastika, and the sig rune can mean many things. Put them together and you have a Nazi symbol. > [@](#): > > ``` > . . . One branch broadcast Nazi propaganda films on a wall with a projector. > > ``` ``` Again, this helps make the context clear. ``` > [@](#): > > . . . Cheng added that the designer wanted the clothes to have a military theme and did not realize that the Nazi symbols would be considered offensive. ``` An admission that the designer chose the symbols with the Nazi's in mind. There's a fire house in Jenkintown with a large stone swastika on the roof. It was placed there before the Nazis had corrupted the meaning. It's a charm for luck, and strength and to prevent lightning from hitting the building. I've had to explain to many people that I'm not offended by it and that they shouldn't be either. New Hope is host to many new age shops. Among the amulets they sell are necklaces featuring runes of the futhark alphabet. This includes amulets with a sig rune. But again, this is the original symbol. More, it stands alone while the Nazis always used a pair. OTOH, the store has made it very clear that they are using Nazi symbols. ``` This is not a case of a misunderstanding or taking offense at nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-the-tacky-things-in-this-world/199864/15 "2003-09-07T00:01:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Marley23 \* > \*\*Here’s the bit (from the second story) that really confuses me: > > “In April, soft drink giant Coca-Cola pulled a promotional robot figurine adorned with what appeared to be Nazi swastikas following criticism from a Jewish leader in Hong Kong.” \*\* Here is a [photo](http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_775737.html) of the robot. As the accompanying article points out, the rabbi who protested the figurine “acknowledged the Nazi swastika can easily be confused with Buddhist swastikas that are common in Asia.” ---
**Author:** ![Gadfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/aeb1de/32.png) [@Gadfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadfly)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-the-tacky-things-in-this-world/199864/16 "2003-09-07T00:09:41Z")
I don’t think they’re in bad taste, they’re just silly. I mean, why would you want to buy dictator wine? ---
**Author:** ![Tikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5daacb/32.png) [@Tikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tikki)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-the-tacky-things-in-this-world/199864/17 "2003-09-07T00:23:46Z")
Thanks, **DocCathode**. I was going to bring these points up but you did it much better than I could have. I have to admit I am conflicted over the use of the swastika in other contexts and cultures. Intellectually, I know that, as such, they have no connection to Nazism but part of me says that it’s still bad. Yet I know it isn’t. My sister used to do a lot of quilting and has lots of books of quilts through the ages. As recently as the 1930’s, the swastika was a common design in this and other needlework. Of course, quilters back then didn’t know about Hitler’s future use of this symbol. I think my sister has some old fabric with swastikas on it. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-the-tacky-things-in-this-world/199864/18 "2003-09-07T00:25:45Z")
Re-The Robot The thing is, those aren’t Buddhist swastikas. Those would run the other way. It’s very possible that the image got flopped during production(I have a bus schedule on which the map has been reversed left to right, but the text on the map is printed properly. This is just another example of Septa’s tireless effort to confuse the public). Buddhist signs on the robot would just be really strange. I don’t recall Gautma ever speaking about robots. It is possible that the artist merely wanted a design suggesting spinning air intakes or some such, and failed to think things through. Re-Pokemon I haven’t seen the card, But I’d guess this is a case of overreacting. Many Pokemon bear odd marks. Many Pokemon powers are illustrated with basic geometric constructions. A swastika or similar symbol would be an easy obvious way to show some variety of spinning attack(Heck just look at the WB’s Jackie Chan cartoon. One of the villian’s uses a sort of spinning, boomerang thingy. It consists of three Ls radiating from a central point. ) . ---
**Author:** ![Tikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5daacb/32.png) [@Tikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tikki)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-the-tacky-things-in-this-world/199864/19 "2003-09-07T00:31:39Z")
Thanks, **DocCathode**. I was going to bring these points up but you did it much better than I could have. I have to admit I am conflicted over the use of the swastika in other contexts and cultures. Intellectually, I know that, as such, they have no connection to Nazism but part of me says that it’s still bad. Yet I know it isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Tikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5daacb/32.png) [@Tikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tikki)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-the-tacky-things-in-this-world/199864/20 "2003-09-07T00:33:00Z")
Thanks, **DocCathode**. I was going to bring these points up but you did it much better than I could have. I have to admit I am conflicted over the use of the swastika in other contexts and cultures. Intellectually, I know that, as such, they have no connection to Nazism but part of me says that it’s still bad. Yet I know it isn’t. However, knowingly selling stuff edifying Hitler is just plain sick. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-all-the-tacky-things-in-this-world/199864.md?page=2)