Posted on 04/13/2008 5:53:29 AM PDT by WesternCulture
I'm Absolut Swedish but NEVER EVER again will I buy Absolut Vodka and I will, at least, TRY to avoid other products of V&S Group (their repertoire is a pretty broad one though and I kinda party from time to time..), a former Swedish company which recently was sold to French Pernod Ricard (for the sum of €5,626 billion).
I've also managed to convince my father and some of my friends to join my initiative and I'll continue to campaign!
The background is, of course, the already infamous Absolut Vodka ad with the words "In an Absolut World" slapped over a pre-1848 map showing California, Arizona and other states as Mexican territory.
What kind of severely disturbed individual came up with the idea for this ad and how come his/hers superiors approved of it?
Furthermore, is there any specific reason why such an ad appears shortly after V&S Group was acquired by a FRENCH company? I was rather under the impression France and the US presently were trying to restore their deep rooted although slightly damaged friendship. But perhaps all French aren't as insightful and intelligent as Sarkozy? (In any case, I've understood people like Chirac aren't).
Whether one wishes to view the ad in question as a Swedish or French insult against USA, I sincerely hope Americans in general are aware there are not only millions of Europeans, but HUNDRED OF MILLIONS of Europeans who do NOT hate America and do NOT wish to insult our brothers and sisters across the Atlantic - our own blood.
Europe might be more PC, more Liberal and more Socialist than the US, but this doesn't mean the average European feel sympathy with our young, spoiled, middle class "activists" who burn the flag of the United States of America and fail to understand the actual effects of their own actions.
In one way, I'm not embarrassed as a European by such inhabitants of our glorious continent, because these people, in fact, have very little to do with what Europe and Western Civilization is all about.
My country has no reason to promote stupidity. If Sweden would have done so throughout history, Sweden would not only be like any other country here on earth where basic features of civilization like showers, radiators and nuclear plants don't function, houses seem to be built by apes and people drive around in ridiculous cars instead of vehicles like Volvos, SAABs, BMWs, Audis and MBs, we would probably have been some backward part of Russia by today.
I chose to boycott Absolut Vodka out of two major reasons:
The ad in questions is an insult to USA, a country which, forever, will be one of Sweden's closest allies in the struggle for a free world.
The Absolut ad is an insult to Sweden and everything that is good about Viking culture as well as Europe at large.
Absolut boycott - on both sides of the Atlantic!
“A list of products marketed by V&S would be quite useful.”
- V&S Group products:
Aalborg Akvavit
Absolut Vodka
Amfora
Blossa
Capricorn Estates
Carlshamns
Chill Out
Chymos
Explorer Vodka
Falu Brännvin (1917-72)
Gammel Dansk
Grönstedts
Jägarbrännvin (1927-55 & 1997-2003)
Lantvin
Rabiega
Reimersholms
Plymouth Gin
Penfolds
Vintry’s
Thanks for the post. I appreciate your camaraderie.
- You did very well. I'm impressed by your Swedish skills:)
“I was reading your argument “stupidity is unscandinavian” as stating that there is no scandinavian stupidity. You appear to view my argument as “there is only stupidity in scandinavia.” I would never suggest that.”
- There's lots of stupidity in all countries, but Scandinavia is undeniably a part of the world that stands out in areas like
Quality of education
R&D expenditure per capita
Science
Innovation
Engineering competence
Business competence
IQ test performance
On the other hand, I'm aware that Scandinavian immigrants to the US used to have a reputation of being somewhat stupid, naive and easily taken in.
Actually, the Germans sometime speak of “Die dummen Schweden”; the stupid Swedes. The story behind this is that during the 17th century, Swedish soldiers acquired a reputation of easily falling prey to all sorts of fraud and trickery. However, today the expression is used mostly in connection with societal and political issues. For instance, you sometimes hear Germans saying things like “in Sweden, income is taxed so heavily that no one wants to work - how typical for Die Dummen Schweden!”
“Thanks for the post. I appreciate your camaraderie.”
- Greetings from Gothenburg - The Heart of Scandinavia - to the Keystone State!
Wow, I’m impressed, you even know Pennsylvania’s state motto. ;^)
“..poured a half-bottle down the drain in symbolic protest of these foreign morons and will encourage all I know to boycott them henceforth.”
- Way to go!
In one way, I sympathize with ordinary employees of V&S who are NOT involved in the making of this ad, but still might lose due to a widespread US boycott.
It might inflict a lot of harm on a small Swedish town like Åhus.
On the other hand, the very economical backbone of my home city, Gothenburg (second largest city of Sweden), was broken in two around 1980 when we lost our world renowned shipbuilding industry. All the same, Gothenburg is today one of the richest cities in the world in per capita terms, despite the fact that we don’t attract that much of already rich billionaires like Inner City London and Monaco do.
Some might say I boast too much about Swedish/Scandinavian standard of living on this forum, but the reason I do so is a good one; speaking the truth about circumstances of economy draws attention to highly important matters here in life.
Anyhow, the whole thing about this boycott is, basically, about something that exceeds the topic of Economics, it’s about distinguishing between what’s right and wrong here in life.
National integrity is something important and precious. Like we all know, people have often died for it throughout history and many heroic individuals have even sacrificed their own life for OTHER nations. Perhaps the managers of V&S Group ought to have a talk with certain American families who’ve paid the ultimate price for freedom regarding this subject?
My impression is that most individuals over the age of 20 are actually aware of the fact that in ANY context where people of different nationalities are confronted with each another (like we are in the field of international trade), much is often gained by refraining from unnecessary mud throwing (but okay, You Tube sometimes make me wonder..)
Personally, I don’t support companies who fail to master this process, regardless of their national origin.
Absolut boycott - on both sides of the Atlantic.
Sorry, Åhus.
Correction:
I wrote
“..who are NOT involved in the making of this ad, but still might lose due to a widespread US boycott.”
I meant “..might lose THEIR JOBS due to a widespread US boucott.”
Sorry.
“Sold USA submarine technology to our enemies. Quiet propeller design I think.”
- WHAT???
Quite contrary, we are in close cooperation with the US concerning these matters.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khaa3y0i87s
“Wow, I’m impressed, you even know Pennsylvania’s state motto. ;^)”
- Haven’t been to Pennsylvania (yet), but my impression is that it is a great corner of the Earth built on eternal values like hard work, true citizenship and not the least a sense of individual responsibility for the development and future of a great nation!
Proud cities like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are very well known over here in Europe.
Unfortunately, without those two cities, Pennsylvania would be as close to Heaven on Earth as you can get.
“What did Toshiba do?”
Sold our submarine propeller secrets to the Russians, I believe.
Coke made a fortune off of the “New Coke”.
Mostly from sales of “Old Coke”.
There are still some people who speculate it was done on purpose as a marketing ploy.
- I get your point, but despite the problems that exist in these urban areas (which are reminiscent of difficulties most large cities face) much POSITIVE things stem from places like Pittsburgh and Gothenburg.
Here in Gothenburg, Volvo workers are denied basic human needs like getting sleep and spending time with your family.
Progress is a beautiful thing, but it sure comes with a price tag.
““What did Toshiba do?”
Sold our submarine propeller secrets to the Russians, I believe.”
- America 1 WesternCulture 0
lol it is not! Taste like crap unless you run through a brita water filter.
“Taste like crap unless you run through a brita water filter.”
- The ONLY reason some people say Absolut tastes better than other brands is the massive campaigns.
Over here in Sweden, ads for alcoholic beverages are since long prohibited and attempts at promoting holidays consisting in experiences full of alcohol are considered immoral, still they do exist.
A former boss of mine was often drunk. But I’ve forgiven him, because I was paid enough to forget. He was a true bastard though. I will never forget.
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