# The GAP - a new low in political correctness **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 18, 2009, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gap-a-new-low-in-political-correctness/517995 "2009-11-18T03:30:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gap-a-new-low-in-political-correctness/517995/21 "2009-11-18T15:52:51Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Haven’t seen it yet. Is it as pithily amusing as the Virgin Mobile Christmahannukwanza ads from a few years ago? They were great (the extended version, anyway). No, sadly nowhere as good. (I loved those Virgin ads.) A lot of dancing, singing about different holidays around this time of the year, but missing the humor and spark of Chrismahannukwanzaa. Still, if it ticks off the “omg it’s only about Christ don’t even talk about those heathen celebrations in the last three months of the year” people, I can support it. (Please do better next time, Gap.) Oh, and I’m another of the “need the store for the long inseam pants/jeans if I want to buy off the rack” types. They are pretty plain, when they’re not being all “I want to wear overpriced hoodies/t-shirts that look like everyone else’s.” ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gap-a-new-low-in-political-correctness/517995/22 "2009-11-18T16:54:11Z")
Hey, any way you benighted heathens want to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is fine with me. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gap-a-new-low-in-political-correctness/517995/23 "2009-11-18T16:57:53Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > Hey, any way you benighted heathens want to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is fine with me. Someone’s going to make you regret you said that. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gap-a-new-low-in-political-correctness/517995/24 "2009-11-18T17:18:03Z")
I don’t shop there because they don’t yet have a Geezer Gap. But I like the energy and athleticism of the ad. Can’t get worked up over the PC nature of it. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gap-a-new-low-in-political-correctness/517995/25 "2009-11-18T17:18:12Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > i just got my first email of the season telling me about all of the evil stores that are taking the Christ out of Christmas. I don’t shop at the Gap and the commercial is annoying but I think this year I’ll use the boycott lists as support lists. I haven’t gotten my copy yet…is Best Buy on the list this year? I need a flat screen TV. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gap-a-new-low-in-political-correctness/517995/26 "2009-11-18T18:16:32Z")
I don’t shop at the Gap or Old Navy because of their commercials. I hate them so much… ---
**Author:** ![Jonno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f19dbf/32.png) [@Jonno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonno)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gap-a-new-low-in-political-correctness/517995/27 "2009-11-18T18:47:16Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > Or Chanukkah or Hanukah or חנוכה‎ or Hanna Chantanah. Ah the joys of transliteration. Miley Cyrus converted to judaism? When did this happen? ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gap-a-new-low-in-political-correctness/517995/28 "2009-11-18T18:48:47Z")
Wow, you might be able to find something more trivial to get upset about if you tried _REALLY REALLY_ hard. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gap-a-new-low-in-political-correctness/517995/29 "2009-11-18T18:49:06Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Ramadan! Ramadan! Lots of praying with no breakfast! Ramadan, so much fun! Do all your shopping at WAL\*MART! Ramadan is already past. ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gap-a-new-low-in-political-correctness/517995/30 "2009-11-18T19:02:09Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Ramadan! Ramadan! Lots of praying with no breakfast! Ramadan, so much fun! Do all your shopping at WAL\*MART! Ramadan was in August, you stupid fucking infidel. I’m all for bad jokes, but Jesus buddy, at least make it relevant. ETA: Damnit **Rhymer** , you beat me to it ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gap-a-new-low-in-political-correctness/517995/31 "2009-11-18T19:17:28Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > i just got my first email of the season telling me about all of the evil stores that are taking the Christ out of Christmas. I don’t shop at the Gap and the commercial is annoying but I think this year I’ll use the boycott lists as support lists. I’m getting old. I remember when people used to object to stores appropriating religion during the holiday season for commercial purposes (e.g., “[Green Chri$tmas](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSPGJ5-XAcM)”). (Not that it really matters that much to me since I’m not among the faithful.) As for the ad itself, I must be getting more tolerant (or apathetic) as I age. In the past, seeing the commercial twice would’ve been enough to make me want to go Elvis on my TV. Now, I can see myself lasting until just before Thanksgiving before getting that impulse. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gap-a-new-low-in-political-correctness/517995/32 "2009-11-18T19:19:44Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Ramadan is already past. Yep, and I _still_ haven’t mailed out my happy belated Ramadan cards. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gap-a-new-low-in-political-correctness/517995/33 "2009-11-18T20:16:25Z")
For those of you who didn’t get **Ludovic** ’s reference, the line about Ramadan comes from the infamous “[Most Unwanted Music](http://www.wired.com/listening_post/2008/04/a-scientific-at/)”. This is one of two songs developed based on a poll about what things people did and did not like in music. Two unpopular genres were holidays songs and commercial jingles\*, so throughout the “Most Unwanted Music” a chorus of children (people also disliked singing children) encourages listeners to do their holiday shopping at Wal-Mart. This isn’t limited to winter holidays, but holidays throughout the year including Easter, Labor Day, and of course Ramadan. \*Poll respondents also disliked opera, rap, and cowboy songs, so of course the “Most Unwanted Music” features an operatic soprano rapping about being a cowboy. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gap-a-new-low-in-political-correctness/517995/34 "2009-11-18T20:34:29Z")
Even the word “holiday,” as I like to point out, is offensive to those who do not believe in the concept of holiness. Holiday literally means holy day; what if I’m grievously offended at the mention of holiness or holy days? There are lots of atheists out there, you know. We don’t want to hear about your fucking stupid “holy” superstitions. I don’t want to be reminded of the stupid non-existent concept of “holiness” every time I see your advertisements. I suggest it be changed to “event day.” ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gap-a-new-low-in-political-correctness/517995/35 "2009-11-18T21:25:48Z")
> [@myskepticsight](#): > > Gap is about the only place I know of that sells women’s jeans with a 36" inseam that are kind of affordable. Yes. Exactly. This times a billion. Also, high-five of commiseration for being tall women. (WTF, seriously, do they think we just stop at, oh, 5’8" or so?) > [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > I suggest it be changed to “event day.” No. That still suggests something is happening. I propose “day day.\*” \*Nothing to see here; move along. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gap-a-new-low-in-political-correctness/517995/36 "2009-11-18T21:27:53Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > Yes. Exactly. This times a billion. Also, high-five of commiseration for being tall women. (WTF, seriously, do they think we just stop at, oh, 5’8" or so?) Well, you really ought to. There’s nothing to see up here and you still can’t dunk. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gap-a-new-low-in-political-correctness/517995/37 "2009-11-18T21:37:20Z")
Is The Gap also the outfit that ran the “Happy Christmahanukwanzakah to you!” ads a couple of years ago? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gap-a-new-low-in-political-correctness/517995/38 "2009-11-18T21:38:51Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Is The Gap also the outfit that ran the “Happy Christmahanukwanzakah to you!” ads a couple of years ago? Post 20: > [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Haven’t seen it yet. Is it as pithily amusing as the Virgin Mobile Christmahannukwanza ads from a few years ago? They were great (the extended version, anyway). ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gap-a-new-low-in-political-correctness/517995/39 "2009-11-18T21:40:14Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > (WTF, seriously, do they think we just stop at, oh, 5’8" or so?) We don’t? :dubious: That’s about exactly where I stop(ped). ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_From\_Guns](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gap-a-new-low-in-political-correctness/517995/40 "2009-11-18T21:44:57Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Well, you really ought to. There’s nothing to see up here and you still can’t dunk. Quiet, little man, or I shall spit on the part of your hair. > [@MeanOldLady](#): > > We don’t? :dubious: That’s about exactly where I stop(ped). \*A \*woman may. (I grant you leave to do so, quite magnanimously.) \*The range of \*women does not. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gap-a-new-low-in-political-correctness/517995.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gap-a-new-low-in-political-correctness/517995.md?page=3)