Ship of Fools: Do you laugh or do you weep?

Thread: Do you laugh or do you weep? Board: Purgatory / Ship of Fools.

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Posted by argona (# 14037) on :

Me? Both, I think

Posted by mousethief (# 953) on :

"We didn't intend to cause offense" is a ridiculously lame excuse when anybody with 33-1/3 brain cells could see that it WOULD cause offense. If this were in court as a tort, they'd be on the mat so fast it would make a lawyer's pockets jingle.

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :

Yup. I can see thinking it's funny--but to put it in your business's promotional materials?

If I saw it out of context, like maybe a weird web pic, I probably would both chuckle and be a little offended--or a lot offended, depending on my mood.

My question, half playfully and half seriously: did they have the sense to use a *kosher* sausage? Jesus being Jewish.

Posted by mousethief (# 953) on :

And really, a hot dog with a BITE taken out of it? So many better (and funnier) ways to do this. Cack-handed doesn't begin to cover it.

Posted by Golden Key (# 1468) on :

Yup. Were they sitting around, chowing down, and someone thought "oh, this would be cool--and we can put it in our ad"?

Posted by simontoad (# 18096) on :

I'm a bit meh, but glad it backfired. Also, I have always found sausage rolls to be a bit bland and tasteless. You need a good sauce.

Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :

How about roll my eyes? I really can't see anything worth getting excited about, nor anything vaguely amusing, but then I may've had a humour bypass. I'd see this and walk past and think no more on it.

I bet they're happy for the advertising from the "outrage"; money couldn't buy it!

[ 16. November 2017, 02:35: Message edited by: Ian Climacus ]

Posted by Pigwidgeon (# 10192) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Ian Climacus:
I bet they're happy for the advertising from the "outrage"; money couldn't buy it!

I had never heard of Greggs until I saw this posted somewhere earlier today. But all publicity is NOT good publicity. Next time I'm in England, I would certainly not buy their products.

Posted by Nicolemr (# 28) on :

You shake your head sadly and are glad they took the blasted thing down.

Posted by Schroedinger's cat (# 64) on :

I laugh. It is funny. I mean, I can see the offence, but it is not the most offensive Christmas thing I have seen, by several miles.

OK, if it was going to be shown every opportunity up to Christmas, maybe. But it is, as I understand it, just a teaser for their advent advertising.

I wonder how many of those kicking up a fuss about it will still buy into the commercialism of Christmas? Will still insist that Mary and Joseph in their crib and Nativity play are white? WIll still complain at anything that challenges a "traditional" Christmas?

So really, this is a blip - not a big one, I suspect. Trivial compared to, say, "Wonderful Christmastime" which is an offence to all the gods.

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :

Laugh.

And applaud - they will have had more publicity from this than any ad for years due to the ‘easily offended’ brigade.

How different is it from our crazy ‘Gadgets for God’ ideas?

Silly, and tacky with a touch of humour.

Posted by anoesis (# 14189) on :

In terms of production values, though, it's really well photographed. They've got the lighting jee-ust right, and the layout of the figures, so they're looking really adoring. It's brilliantly done. Top notch. What a pity Greggs makes such absolutely crap sausage rolls. Not worthy of worship on any day of the year. In fact, probably the worst sausage roll I've ever had* came from a Greggs (in St Albans, if you want to know).

Here's another thought: what if, instead of this having sprung from a workshop on ways to be offensive, it arose from an association between the fact that newborn babies are usually wrapped/swaddled (as indeed the gospels record Jesus was), and the other name for these abominations is pig-in-a-blanket. Geddit? It's wrapped in a blanket. Of pastry. Yeah, cool, that'll fly.

*And given these things are, I suspect, stuffed with minced horses arses and other general meat-based leftovers, that's quite an accolade, in a back-handed way. I mean, they're the kind of thing you eat and then think to yourself, 'Now why did I do that?'

Posted by Doc Tor (# 9748) on :

If it was one of their cheese and onion slices, I would join in the adoration.

But I can take-it-or-leave-it with the sausage roll.

(And yes, it's funny, and offensive, and funny because it's offensive, so hat tip to Greggs, don't do it again...)

Posted by Erroneous Monk (# 10858) on :

As a matter of principle, I've got no problem with food representing Jesus. I mean, we hunger for Him, we're fed by Him etc etc

But unfortunately Greggs' specialities don't particularly lend themselves to this idea, what with being porky

Now, if it had been a leg of lamb.... "See the tender lamb appears!"....

Or how about the Piece of Cod that passeth all understanding?

Posted by DaleMaily (# 18725) on :

Can someone tell my why they are/why I should be offended? It's daft, and frankly looks more than a bit weird, but my instinctive reaction to people claiming offence is to tell them to get a life.

I actually think I'm more shocked/offended by this:

quote:
Originally posted by Doc Tor:
But I can take-it-or-leave-it with the sausage roll.

[ 16. November 2017, 10:05: Message edited by: DaleMaily ]

Posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider (# 76) on :

Well exactly. You think you can trust someone then they tell you they could eat one, even if unenthusiastically. They are truly unto sausage rolls what Bud Light is unto beer.

Posted by DaleMaily (# 18725) on :

I think you've misunderstood me: I bloody LOVE them. They are basically savoury crack for me.

Posted by Kitten (# 1179) on :

Not offensive, just rather tacky

Posted by BroJames (# 9636) on :

I thought pigs in blankets were (small) sausages wrapped in bacon, not sausage rolls, but I see there is a pond difference.

Posted by Stejjie (# 13941) on :

I'm not offended by it, but I don't really get it or find it amusing or anything: simply one thing out for something else that doesn't "belong" isn't in itself funny or interesting or thought-provoking.

I do really fancy a Gregg's sausage roll, though*. Advertising works! Ka-ching!

*No, seriously, I do - but I've just got in and don't have the energy to drag myself back out to Gregg's.

Posted by DaleMaily (# 18725) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Stejjie:
*No, seriously, I do - but I've just got in and don't have the energy to drag myself back out to Gregg's.

I have already decided to pop down the road to get one for lunch [Razz]

Posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider (# 76) on :

quote:
Originally posted by DaleMaily:
I think you've misunderstood me: I bloody LOVE them. They are basically savoury crack for me.

I did. Intentionally.

Posted by Karl: Liberal Backslider (# 76) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Kitten:
Not offensive, just rather tacky

As are the sausage rolls...

Posted by chris stiles (# 12641) on :

I don't honestly see it as particularly insulting. As society becomes less attached to previous formal religions (and incidentally, less able to exegete religions generally) why would we expect people to be literate in the symbols/symbolisms used?

It's the kind of thing that's just cack handed. I imagine it'll provide plenty of ammunition for the 'now they come for Christmas' persuasion.

Posted by Doc Tor (# 9748) on :

They'll be forever known as "the People's Pasty" in our house, since the time they were the only purveyors of food on the route of a TUC march I took the kids on (their first).

All that salty, greasy goodness was just what the workers needed.

Posted by simontoad (# 18096) on :

I'm way way way more offended by people using the Holy Family to justify Roy Moore's behavior.

Posted by Ricardus (# 8757) on :

It is a triumphant affirmation of the doctrine of transubstantiation.

Posted by Tubbs (# 440) on :

Laughed. God has better things to worry about.

My colleagues have given up showing me stuff like this as my reaction is usually not satisfactory.

Tubbs

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :

O worship the Lord in the beauty of pastriness,
Bow down before him, his sausage proclaim!
With spice of obedience, and mustard of lowliness,
Eat and devour him, the Lord is his name!

Mind you, wise men would never eat at Gr**gs - absolute shite.

IJ

Posted by fletcher christian (# 13919) on :

This is an example of negative marketing surely? Did any of us see the advert before 'somebody' complained? But now we have all seen it and know who Gregg's are.

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :

quote:
Originally posted by fletcher christian:
This is an example of negative marketing surely? Did any of us see the advert before 'somebody' complained? But now we have all seen it and know who Gregg's are.

That’s what I said [Smile]

Posted by Doc Tor (# 9748) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Bishops Finger:
Mind you, wise men would never eat at Gr**gs - absolute shite.

IJ

I'm going to take issue with you here. It's an admittedly mass-produced sandwich and pasty outlet, but: the tea, coffee, and other beverages are fair trade, and while the pasties and other bakes are yes, fatty and salty, sometimes that's what the human body needs. The sandwiches are decent, the bread passable, and if I'm travelling (whoever had the idea to put Greggs in motorway service station carparks deserves a bloody medal) I'm not going to get fleeced for buying some quick scran.

It's not haute cuisine. But it's decent enough and doesn't pretend to be anything it isn't.

Posted by quetzalcoatl (# 16740) on :

Hopefully, Pret a Manger will seize a golden opportunity now, and release an ad, with the strapline, 'away in a pret a manger'.

Posted by no prophet's flag is set so... (# 15560) on :

Are these prepackaged, sitting on shelves at room temperature? For months to years? Preserve us O Christ.

Posted by beatmenace (# 16955) on :

I am waiting for BabyBel to copy it.

So they can fill the manger with 'Baby Cheeses'.

I'll get my coat.

Posted by Curiosity killed ... (# 11770) on :

As hot products the legal requirement is that they are kept hot for no longer than two hours at 63°C*. Hot pastries and pies are sold from a hot counter at Greggs, arranged loose in the hot cabinet and placed in a paper bag for sale.

* I set myself the task of passing the Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate this week, to allow us to cater for Guides on camp.

Posted by quetzalcoatl (# 16740) on :

quote:
Originally posted by no prophet's flag is set so...:
Are these prepackaged, sitting on shelves at room temperature? For months to years? Preserve us O Christ.

That must be the prayer of every sausage roll, preserve us from corruption, bugs and rats.

Posted by Boogie (# 13538) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Curiosity killed ...:
As hot products the legal requirement is that they are kept hot for no longer than two hours at 63°C*. Hot pastries and pies are sold from a hot counter at Greggs, arranged loose in the hot cabinet and placed in a paper bag for sale.

* I set myself the task of passing the Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate this week, to allow us to cater for Guides on camp.

Just buy pasties and sausage rolls from Greggs
[Razz]

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :

Doc Tor said:

quote:
I'm going to take issue with you here.

Fair enough - I speak only of the Greggs in our local shopping mall, but, if others have found their stuff OK, well and good.

IJ

Posted by Stetson (# 9597) on :

And recently in Canada...

Hard to believe anyone at the store could have thought this was a good way to show respect for the war dead, given that there are many people alive who knew someone who died in battle.

Also kind of exemplfies the often tone-deaf pseudonationalism of alleged Canadian icon Tim Hortons. Or maybe it's just the goofballs in Calgary(I'm from Edmonton).

Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :

quote:
Originally posted by anoesis:
What a pity Greggs makes such absolutely crap sausage rolls. Not worthy of worship on any day of the year. In fact, probably the worst sausage roll I've ever had* came from a Greggs (in St Albans, if you want to know).

Maybe those wise men are bringing it sausage-appropriate spices to help with that.

Posted by Bishops Finger (# 5430) on :

Or to anoint it for burial, sealed in a stone-cold tomb...

IJ

Posted by mousethief (# 953) on :

quote:
Originally posted by chris stiles:
I don't honestly see it as particularly insulting. As society becomes less attached to previous formal religions (and incidentally, less able to exegete religions generally) why would we expect people to be literate in the symbols/symbolisms used?

If people are illiterate in the symbolism, then they have totally failed. It only works because people recognize it as a take on the Jesus-in-the-Manger thing.

quote:
Originally posted by Ricardus:
It is a triumphant affirmation of the doctrine of transubstantiation.

Only for those who don't understand the doctrine of transubstantiation.

Posted by mr cheesy (# 3330) on :

I wonder how many Christmas sermons are going to be along the lines of "why Jesus is just like a sausage roll.."

Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Stetson:
And recently in Canada...

On that theme, we had this several years ago. Not sure who signed off on it. The supermarket brands itself as the "Fresh Food People".

Posted by ThunderBunk (# 15579) on :

Yawn mostly, really. Sausage roll based banter from that particular company is just so completely predictable that it rates only 0.0001 on my personal richter scale of emotion.

Not the greatest baked goods, though. Culinary outrage in fact.

[ 16. November 2017, 19:47: Message edited by: ThunderBunk ]

Posted by churchgeek (# 5557) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Ian Climacus:
On that theme, we had this several years ago. Not sure who signed off on it. The supermarket brands itself as the "Fresh Food People".

Posted by chris stiles (# 12641) on :

quote:
Originally posted by mousethief:

quote:
Originally posted by chris stiles:
I don't honestly see it as particularly insulting. As society becomes less attached to previous formal religions (and incidentally, less able to exegete religions generally) why would we expect people to be literate in the symbols/symbolisms used?
If people are illiterate in the symbolism, then they have totally failed. It only works because people recognize it as a take on the Jesus-in-the-Manger thing.

Sure, but there is understanding it as a (somewhat) familiar image with a slight twist, and actually realising the significance/possible offense etc.

Posted by beatmenace (# 16955) on :

Suspicious that 'Jesus' spelt backwards is 'Susej'

If you say it quick its not that different to 'Sausage'.

Perhaps this marketing is not as random as we first thought?

Are Greggs really Illuminati occultists backward masking the Nativity? We should be told. After all, that plan worked so well for Led Zeppelin.

(There, that should be enough conspiracy theory to get me on InfoWars).

Or alternatively , could it just be clever marketing men looking to be the 'Starbucks Red Cup' of 2017. Surely not. No one would do that.

Posted by leo (# 1458) on :

I like sausage rolls

Posted by L'organist (# 17338) on :

So do I Leo. Which is why I don't buy them from Greggs but make my own.

Posted by Adeodatus (# 4992) on :

I was quite indifferent to this whole thing until the revelation I read today (Ship of Fools on twitter) that "Lord Jesus" backwards reads "Susejd Rol".

Now I think it's a work of genius.

Posted by SusanDoris (# 12618) on :

quote:
Originally posted by beatmenace:
Suspicious that 'Jesus' spelt backwards is 'Susej'

If you say it quick its not that different to 'Sausage'.

the whole of this thread is starting the weekend with a smile.

Posted by Ian Climacus (# 944) on :

This pastry seems more offensive. 3 makes 12!?!

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