Are you as appalled as I am?

[roadie gal]

... by those Lexus, Mercedes and BMW commercials that want you to give a car as a Christmas gift?

I thought they were in bad taste a few years ago when the economy was good, but this year I'm just appalled. The world's economy is crashing. People are being tossed out of their homes. They're losing jobs. And we should give a car as a gift.

feh

[AllezGirl]

Yes!

[7rider]

I think they're funny. But then, I've always been amused by the absurd.

[Eden]

For a few years I worked for a company that sold a building product that pretty much only the very wealthy could afford. I found the whole thing to be pretty appalling - very excessive and often tasteless. I'm back at a non-profit and much happier these days. I honestly didn't like doing a job that had zero meaning and benefited pretty much no one.

[rocknrollgirl]

I felt really good for a second, when I thought it was about a Big Wheel....

[kjay]

No, I'm not appalled at all. There will always be people richer than I and people poorer than I. There is something for everyone, even nothing if that applies.

[Mr. Bloom]

I agree with kjay.

I mean this constructively, but this is prejudice. You have no idea what the owners of those cars do or give in support of those in need. (Yes, I own a Lexus and a Mercedes, so you've made it personal to me and you don't know me).

[Zen]

there are other things I find appalling as well

but the one that really bugs me goes something like-

I want it all,
I want it all,
And I want it now!

I think its for big screen TV's or something

[smilingcat]

gold digging

my partner and I went to a wedding years and years ago. The wife turned out to be more than a gold digging. The couple got divorced less than a year later. Some of the stuff we heard were just beyond words.

The woman did find a rich guy. He is now in his 70's and the woman has to be in her late 30's...

yeah. And I was going to volunteer at a shelter today. They said thank you but we have enough volunteers. I found out about it yesterday. Well I'll be check in with the group for the xmas help.

[Zen]

And I was going to volunteer at a shelter today. They said thank you but we have enough volunteers. I found out about it yesterday. Well I'll be check in with the group for the xmas help.

They can always use donation , can't they?
I know the food banks are having terrible shortages and there are people at food banks who never thought they would need that kind of assistance

[smilingcat]

Hi Zen,

Actually we do have cases of food to be donated to food bank. My partner is looking for local one here in Hermosa Beach and not in downtown LosAngeles.

We went to Costco and used our coupons and bought things cheap. I was hoping to help out on the cooking side. I still have my serv-safe certification (its restaurant related for cooks...) from NSF. and I still have my knife bag...

I ended up playing phone tag with the shelter. Last message was "thank you for your interest but we have all the volunteers needed".

Oh well...

[Crankin]

I have to agree with Mr. Silver. Why do you think that someone who can afford to buy a car as a gift is evil? You don't know what kind of people they really are! Just because someone has money doesn't mean they are bad. Sure, over consumption is not good, but to each her own. I worked my *** off for 30 years and i don't apologize for anything I buy.
Yes, this is personal. I have a BMW that is 5 years old and is the best car I've ever had.
And, a lot of people with the money to buy one of those cars might cringe to find out how much some of us spend on bikes and assorted cycling shwag.

[Fujichants]

I have to agree with Mr. Silver. Why do you think that someone who can afford to buy a car as a gift is evil?

I don't see anywhere in Roadie Gal's comment where she even implies that people who can afford to buy cars as a gift are evil...

[smilingcat]

Hi Crankin,

I think what people meant here is that flaunting the wealth was more of the issue. Issue isn't about being able to afford it or not. Or you have been successful in making money.

The ad roadie gal is talking about is bit tasteless in my opinion. Think of the people who can't afford such a car. How does it feel to them? to watch that ad. Yes life is unfair but I try to be sympthetic to those less fortunate.

peace to all,
smilingcat

[shootingstar]

I interpreted roadiegal's observation and the ad, as just an ill-timed PR/marketing campaign by the car company itself, Lexus, etc. during this economic year.

Granted they do have make money as a firm, but Lexus could do better with an ad this year with a combined message....like a Lexus happy owner that is stuffing their whole family/neighbours into the car in a blazing snowstorm.

It's all about building effective subconscious good branding from a business sense and as a smart corporate member of the bigger community.