Subway Serves Up Anti-Americanism to German Customers

Talon News ^ | 7/29/2004 | Jeff Gannon

[Nataku X]

It's not the fact that Americans are fat. I'd object to it too if Saxon Math tried to sell their materials overseas with the slogan "Why are Americans stupid?"

It's the very fact that Subway is attempting to capitalize on Germany's extreme anti-Americanism. So, yes, it is anti-American.

[Cloud William]

Sure, we should have the ability to laugh at ourselves. I don't believe that Americans have lost that capability.

This is not whining, it's just spreading information - just like we do when a company or individual (see numerous "celebrities" as examples) chooses to align itself/themself with some partisan political group or agenda. Some potential customers don't care for that and take their business elsewhere; I don't see any hypersensitivity here at all.

Subway has the right to turn it's "Jared" advertising campaign inside-out and use the retooled version in Germany. Americans have the right to either laugh it off, or decide that they really don't need that flavorless, gummy sandwich after all. As for me, I need no urging to avoid Subway.

[maeng]

The world over right now, everyone is looking for a reason to hate Americans, anything or everything. They hate our way of life, our military, our symbols of liberty, our capitalism and the power Ameria has. This hate is driven by pure jealousy. Why support a company that drives this opinion of America? I politely disagree with you on this one.

[gimme1ibertee]

Well, I hear ya on the weight part...I dress out at a mere 325 myself, and I like Subway's food, but I love my country.
They'll not see any more of my cash either.I can make my own damn sandwiches.

[Right Wing Professor]

I agree that not doing business with a company that insults you is basic self-respect, but getting insulted over something like this is almost Kerryesque.

That's a particularly uninsightful characterization. John Kerry, in fact, doesn't much care if America is insulted. After all, he's let Michael Moore, the epitome of liberal American self-hate, sit in Carter's box.

If America and important national symbols actually mean something to you, why aren't you more protective of them?

[Republican Red]

Quiznos has been running a real creepy ad in the Atlanta area. It turned me off to ever stepping foot in that place.

They got these rat-like puppets that sing "I like the sub" over and over. Any food chain that has a rat as spokeperson is just weird.

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

Good. Another reason to go to Quiznos.

[Eva]

The problem is that Sub-ways are franchises, owned by individuals. The best way to handle this boycott is to call the local Sub-ways and tell them about the potential boycott, and ask them to call their corporate office.

[Right Wing Professor]

Have we lost the ability to laugh at ourselves?

I have no problem laughing at myself. I do have problems if someone I know pokes fun at me to a third party, particularly if that third party has itself be hostile to me in the recent past. In that circumstance, I ask myself, whose side is he on?

People who go around asking to be shown respect usually don't deserve it.

I can see why someone who has no respect for himself or his country wouldn't demand it from others.

[new cruelty]

The advertising text uses a derogatory term for Americans -- Amis...

You are right, saying Americans are fat is not anti-American.

I don't mind being made fun of now and then. I recall a few movies that make fun of Germans (Top Secret's East German Women's Olympic Team comes to mind).

For a company to use a derogatory term for Americans, as the article claims,... well, that speaks for itself.

[Salvation]

Yes!

[skeeter]

Quiznos Subs blow Subway's crap away.

[Dane]

Everyone Raves about Quiznos, too bad but I don't think they're out east.

They just entered the Pittsburgh market.

[winner3000]

I would say using a quote from Michael Moore is anti-American. You don't think they paid him to use his quote? I somehow don't think that money will find its way to pro-American causes!

[rrrod]

I just called the 800 # and let em have it...need serious freeping here folks!

[mongrel]

The Kerryesque part was not that he gets offended by anti-Americanism, it's that he gets offended easily at the drop of a hat. With that in mind, I find it to be a very insightful characterization.

[MontanaBeth]

"but getting insulted over something like this is almost Kerryesque."

You forgot to say "in your opinion". So, keep eating there, it is a free country, isn't it? In my opinion, they went to another country and insulted us, a country that doesn't like the United States, they won't get my business any longer. See no problem, you're happy eating at a place that holds the United States up to ridicule and I'm happy sending them an email telling them they will no longer get my "fat" American money. What a great country!

[pete anderson]

Does this mean we must boycott all the Subway outlets in Germany?

[GoLightly]

I'm partial to Cousins.

[locochupacabra]

Sent a letter to Subway HQ, and fowarded the article to FoxNews.