# The new Gillette ad **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 16, 2019, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-gillette-ad/827873 "2019-01-16T16:05:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-gillette-ad/827873/41 "2019-01-16T20:30:59Z")
> [@bump](#): > > That’s what I thought too; fine message, inept execution. > > They’d have done a lot better by taking a positive spin showing men setting a positive example and modeling their preferred behaviors, rather than something quite so lecturey and oriented toward pointing out bad behaviors. > > I mean, I felt kind of put on the spot, and I don’t even do the negative things in the commercial! I’ve seen a grand total of one “social justice” ad that actually made me think and change some behaviors, the “[Like a Girl](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJQBjWYDTs)” campaign from Always (this is the long version, a shorter version ran during the Super Bowl four years ago). Yeah, I’d like it even better if it wasn’t a commercial, but things like this have to get funded somehow. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-gillette-ad/827873/42 "2019-01-16T21:55:08Z")
Another twitter quote that I particularly like - “I mean, it appears that Gillette isn’t a good product for sensitive skin after all.” ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-gillette-ad/827873/43 "2019-01-16T23:06:05Z")
I love this ad (is anyone shocked?), and one of the things I LOVE about it is that people are _talking_ about toxic masculinity and what it means. Changing a culture takes time, and for the dialogue to continue. The #MeToo did a lot, but alone, it would never be enough. Do I think an ad put out by Gillette is going to change everything and all of the issues of gender violence will just fall away? No. Of course not - but every single part contributes. Did Gillette alienate a huge piece of their customer base? I can tell you that everyone has been talking about Gillette for a few days now…that counts for something. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-gillette-ad/827873/44 "2019-01-16T23:16:21Z")
^This. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-gillette-ad/827873/45 "2019-01-16T23:33:53Z")
> [@Royal\_Nonesutch](#): > > It looks like a preview for the latest tedious Steve Carell movie… That’s a good one! It best sums up how I feel about it. Gillette should stick to selling razors. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-gillette-ad/827873/46 "2019-01-16T23:35:13Z")
> [@bump](#): > > That’s what I thought too; fine message, inept execution. > > They’d have done a lot better by taking a positive spin showing men setting a positive example and modeling their preferred behaviors, rather than something quite so lecturey and oriented toward pointing out bad behaviors. > > I mean, I felt kind of put on the spot, and I don’t even do the negative things in the commercial! Yeah, like the commercial featuring the identical twin NFL players, one of whom has parts of his hands missing. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-gillette-ad/827873/47 "2019-01-16T23:38:36Z")
If nothing else, the Gillette ad has done a great job of getting people to talk about the Gillette ad. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-gillette-ad/827873/48 "2019-01-16T23:42:18Z")
I do not understand the negative reactions to this ad at all, to be honest. I understand that people on the right are always looking to be offended (at least, my impression so far is that it’s folks on the right getting offended at this), but I still don’t get it. It’s the same with the reactions to Clinton’s deplorables comment: ‘Some of Trump’s supporters are going to be deplorable; they are racist, sexist, Islamophobic (this is true – he had some in his cabinet, and at his rallies). We can’t reach those, but let’s reach out people who need help.’ And, the reaction from the offenderati was “hey, she just called me deplorable!” Well? Are you racist, sexist, etc.? No? Then, she didn’t call you that. Here, Gillette is saying, hey, don’t be an asshole, or one of those assholes that excuses assholish behavior by other men. Bullying and catcalling is bad, umkay? Be a good person and set a good example for the next generation of men. And, the reaction from the offenderati seems to be, “hey, they just called me an asshole!” If the shoe fits, wear it, but if it doesn’t, you’re not an asshole and they didn’t call you one. **Velocity** (and others), have you seen those pictures where they show how some asshole parked their car over two (or more!) spots and they were called out as the asshole they are? Did you look at that picture and think, “Hey, I park my car. They just called me an asshole!” Because, unless you park diagonally over two spots, you’re not the asshole they are talking about. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-gillette-ad/827873/49 "2019-01-16T23:43:56Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > If nothing else, the Gillette ad has done a great job of getting people to talk about the Gillette ad. Yeah, if you can find it. I had a hard time finding the actual ad rather than all the offenderati reactions to it. Fucking snowflakes. They probably need some safe space where women are still treated as objects and second class citizens and weaker boys are there to be beaten up and bullied. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-gillette-ad/827873/50 "2019-01-16T23:57:20Z")
Meh, I object to grouping all men into a misogynist category. Gillette created a opportunistic commercial to cash in on the metoo movement. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-gillette-ad/827873/51 "2019-01-16T23:59:56Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Meh, I object to grouping all men into a misogynist category. > > Gillette created a opportunistic commercial to cash in on the metoo movement. Did you watch the commercial? They very clearly did not group all men into a misogynist category. I mean, it couldn’t be more obvious – the guys who stopped the misogynist assholes were clearly not so themselves, right? Seriously, WTF with your comment? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-gillette-ad/827873/52 "2019-01-17T00:02:24Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Meh, I object to grouping all men into a misogynist category. > > Gillette created a opportunistic commercial to cash in on the metoo movement. Except they didn’t group all men into a misogynist category. They made that pretty clear. On the other hand, it is a widespread problem that includes a whole lot of men. Even those of us who think we’re pretty enlightened probably can find ways to improve our behavior. Efforts to promote a conversation about men’s behavior is a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-gillette-ad/827873/53 "2019-01-17T00:05:33Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Meh, I object to grouping all men into a misogynist category. Do you feel this ad is doing that? If so, how? ---
**Author:** ![rat\_avatar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rat_avatar/32/255_2.png) [@rat\_avatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rat_avatar)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-gillette-ad/827873/54 "2019-01-17T00:18:07Z")
Ya, actually those saying that all men have to be fragile assholes who can only gain their personal value by debasing and objectifying others is closer to “grouping all men into a X category” [https://gillette.com/en-us/the-best-men-can-be](https://gillette.com/en-us/the-best-men-can-be) > [@](#): > > And as a company that encourages men to be their best, we have a responsibility to make sure we are promoting positive, attainable, inclusive and healthy versions of what it means to be a man. With that in mind, we have spent the last few months taking a hard look at our past and coming communication and reflecting on the types of men and behaviors we want to celebrate. We’re inviting all men along this journey with us – to strive to be better, to make us better, and to help each other be better. > > From today on, we pledge to actively challenge the stereotypes and expectations of what it means to be a man everywhere you see Gillette. In the ads we run, the images we publish to social media, the words we choose, and so much more. > [@](#): > > As part of The Best Men Can Be campaign, Gillette is committing to donate $1 million per year for the next three years to non-profit organizations executing programs in the United States designed to inspire, educate and help men of all ages achieve their personal “best” and become role models for the next generation. To be clear my biggest issue is that I felt like they trivialized sexual harassment etc…but after seeing the response it is quite clear that they had to frame their message using kid gloves because challenging men to stand up for what is right is some how viewed as “_misogynist_” It is odd that the cognitive dissonance of this ad caused so much mental discomfort. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-gillette-ad/827873/55 "2019-01-17T00:26:40Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > Did you watch the commercial? They very clearly did not group all men into a misogynist category. I mean, it couldn’t be more obvious – the guys who stopped the misogynist assholes were clearly not so themselves, right? Seriously, WTF with your comment? The guys that stopped the behavior were later in the commercial after being suitably enlightened and changed. Most men aren’t knuckle dragging, unibrow Neanderthals. A lots changed in the past forty years for the better. There are still some jerks out there but their numbers are dwindling. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-gillette-ad/827873/56 "2019-01-17T00:34:44Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > The guys that stopped the behavior were later in the commercial after being suitably enlightened and changed. > > Most men aren’t knuckle dragging, unibrow Neanderthals. A lots changed in the past forty years for the better. > > There are still some jerks out there but their numbers are dwindling. Are you going to defend what you wrote up above or admit that they didn’t portray all men as misogynists? Or, should I just give up right now with this interaction? I mean, I can move goalposts with the best of them, but it’s not particularly fun discussing something with someone while he’s digging them up and moving them off the field. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-gillette-ad/827873/57 "2019-01-17T00:39:31Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > The guys that stopped the behavior were later in the commercial after being suitably enlightened and changed. > > Most men aren’t knuckle dragging, unibrow Neanderthals. A lots changed in the past forty years for the better. > > There are still some jerks out there but their numbers are dwindling. So you’re saying that the ad showed that men are capable of making a lot of progress, and many of them have made this progress, becoming better people and helping make a better society? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-gillette-ad/827873/58 "2019-01-17T00:45:29Z")
Yeah, we already made that progress a long time ago. There’s a night and day difference in how men treated women in my teen years (1970’s) and today. I just feel the commercial unfairly makes assumptions about men. It seems aimed at a male culture that largely disappeared decades ago ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-gillette-ad/827873/59 "2019-01-17T00:52:49Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Yeah, we already made that progress a long time ago. > > There’s a night and day difference in how men treated women in my teen years (1970’s) and today. > > I just feel the commercial unfairly makes assumptions about men. Only some men, agreed? And, those men are bullying, sexist assholes, agreed? I wasn’t offended because I’m not a bullying, sexist asshole. How about you? Take a look at this [meme](http://weknowmemes.com/2012/08/douchebaggery-level-over-9000/). They call that person who parked the car a douchebag. Were they calling all people who park cars douchebags? Why or why not? Did they unfairly make assumptions about car parkers? Why or why not? Are they calling you a douchebag? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2019, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-gillette-ad/827873/60 "2019-01-17T00:55:22Z")
I wasn’t offended. I just wasn’t impressed. Meh, is the best word I can use. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-gillette-ad/827873.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-gillette-ad/827873.md?page=4)