Dunkin Donuts ad pulled over a scarf - Page 2

maariku · 07-29-2008, 07:13 AM

Oh, this article came as a revelation to me! Apparently, I am surrounded by terrorists all the time in my city! They are not trendy teenagers, they are a secret army waiting to take over the world!

Ridiculous! I can understand banning presenting certain symbols. But in that case you have to be really aware what its meaning is. Something-kinda-reminding-of-something-bad is not good enough for me.

Ehh, I don't think I've ever seen a Dunkin' Donuts in my lifetime, so it is easy to ignore them

Reen.Blom · 07-29-2008, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsy8522

Even the most gorgeous looking guys, in proseperous and wealthy societies such as Qatar and the UAE **they're SO hot

** wear it (they call it a ghotra or shemagh and it's plain white) many of them wouldn't be caught dead in public wearing something else. It may seem odd for an outsider, but I'm sure it has a strong meaning to them.

The Palestinian kuffieh- also centuries old- it has a distinct style, which is the checkered black and white scarf. [Jordan is same style but different colour (red and white) called a "shemagh"]
It has nothing to do with religion, Palestinian Christians as well as non-Muslim non-Palestinian peace activists wear it as well. For the Palestinian people, it represents a traditional garment, a sign of plight, national identity and a homeland. For others, it has become a symbol in anti-war protests and for unity against colonial occupation and oppression across the world. If Palestinian suicide bombers wear that too, it wouldn't be surprizing, however it would be if they had worn Scotish kilts!

I have been reading on about this kuffieh craze that made people so upset- mainly those who do not like what these scarfs stand for- and from which and I have mainly noticed two types of reactions 1) saying that by non-Arabs wearing the kuffieh as a fashion statement it will hopefully become diluted and lose its significance, or 2) use media pressure to make it disapear, that's what FOX "faux" news has done. I just think it's really "creative" of them to use their typical fear instilling propaganda, this time brought to viewers in the form of a "murderous Palestinian jihad" scarf controversy in order to further their biased political agenda.

I don't think they even care if they insulted a whole set of countries/ethnicity/religion (funny how they all get lumped together, but hey, most viewers are naive and won't know the difference anyway, so it shouldn't matter).

BTW, Dunkin Donuts has so many branches in the murderous terrorist scarf-infested UAE! What a great way to bridge the gap of world understanding, really.

Very interesting post! Thank you!

nicknack · 07-29-2008, 05:43 PM

Aisha, I was talking about people wearing them in this country. People wrap regular scarves around there neck in the same fashion, so here such a case would never have been such a big deal. I'm aware of people using them as dance scarves, I've seen Asi Haskal using them on several occasions.

America is strange because of cases like the dunkin donut's one, also because of those examples of self imposed segregation you sometimes find, and maybe because of phenonoma like Richard Simmons.

Gypsy just to correct you, Britain is not Anglo Saxon, there is no "Anglo Saxon" culture. On the spot I can think of one Welshman, a Cornish friend and a Geordie who will agree with me.

Salome · 07-29-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

America is strange because of cases like the dunkin donut's one

Personally, I don't think it's so strange (not suggesting it's good/right) or particularly unique to our country. Dunkin donut's is a big corporation that cares about the only thing a big company cares about, money. They don't care one way or another about a scarf. They only care that it could affect their bottom line.

gypsy8522 · 07-29-2008, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicknack

Gypsy just to correct you, Britain is not Anglo Saxon, there is no "Anglo Saxon" culture. On the spot I can think of one Welshman, a Cornish friend and a Geordie who will agree with me.

Thanks for the correction. I was actually speaking in reference to medieval times hence the "anglo saxon culture", my point was I don't see why a kuffieh would have any meaning to a British than it would to someone from Germany or Scandinavia. Our ethnic Arabian heritage is different, customs that are a significant part of this heritage will obviously hold the most meaning to those who are "from" the culture. And just because I bought a piece of tartan cloth and decided to wipe the glass with it, does not mean that it has now lost any meaning it may ever have had.

lizaj · 07-29-2008, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicknack

I think the keffiyeh has lost any meaning it may ever have had. It is worn by middle class students as a fashion statement mostly not knowing what they're wearing. The only slight exceptions I know are one friend who went to school in Dubai who used to wear one to be different, and my gentleman friend who picked one up in Egypt (he jokingly calls it his ayatollah khomeini scarf (this is the same man who walked around Marrakech wearing a linen suit and pith helmet)), apparantly airport security in France had no problem with it (probably he didn't look suspicous, just insane like any good upper middle class traveller). Also there are quite a few non Arab Middle Easterners who can be seen wearing keffiyehs casually, there are also a large number of people here who wear regular scarves wrapped in that fashion... America is strange...

Very strange.
There must be sooo many terrorists in Liverpool as you can buy faux-keffiyeh in almost every colour and many people of both genders and diff ages wear them. There's even sparkly ones in some stores.They are practical and comfortable and mine has small hearts instead of checks.

More and more real ones are beng worn by people who've been to Egypt on holiday.
I also don't find any Arab friends think these fashion statements are a cultural faux-pas either.But North Africa is one place I might not wear it!

What next???????????? Huh reminds me of my poor old Uncle Paddy being told by some nutty old woman that he must in the IRA just 'cos of his Dublin brogue

lizaj · 07-29-2008, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsy8522

Any object -even if it is only a piece of cloth- does not lose its meaning to those who actually understand and value what it represents.

Although it is now subject of a fashion trend, the shemagh/kuffieh has been a part of traditional Arab dress for centuries and centuries, originally worn in the desert to keep the wind and sand off one's face and hair. And to this day it is worn by all ages, anywhere and everywhere- maybe not in Britain since it's not part of the anglo saxon culture- but in the Middle East.

America isn't strange; the media and those who fund it are.

Even England is once more infested by us Celts

Those pesky Anglo Saxons aught to remember whose land this once was!

And those scarves are mighty useful for keeping the neck cosy from our damp winds as well. If MEers and North Africans don't mind we'll keep wearing them and they can wear the kilt in return

lizaj · 07-29-2008, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maariku

Oh, this article came as a revelation to me! Apparently, I am surrounded by terrorists all the time in my city! They are not trendy teenagers, they are a secret army waiting to take over the world!

Ridiculous! I can understand banning presenting certain symbols. But in that case you have to be really aware what its meaning is. Something-kinda-reminding-of-something-bad is not good enough for me.

Ehh, I don't think I've ever seen a Dunkin' Donuts in my lifetime, so it is easy to ignore them

Yeh what is a Dunkin' Donut..sounds pretty revolting

nicknack · 07-29-2008, 10:47 PM

The thing about this country is that a lot of us have dual cultural identities. We all seem to be British, and something else to go with it, wether it be Indian, Turkish, Russian... just because someone identifies as British doesn't mean that they don't still have roots elsewhere. It may not be part of British culture, but it is present in culture within Britain. Britain is an amalgamation of many different peoples with their own ideas and traditions that are usually shared (for example Leicester has one of the largest Divali celebrations outside of India, and is attended by all sections of the community).

I still think it's strange to pull an ad in that way, usually ads are only withdrawn if there's public protest about something blatant and offensive. When you get to the point where you're withdrawing an ad because of a tiny little detail that may get misinterpreted, that is paranoia. Although I work for an American company, I understand the corporate zest for profits.

Aisha Azar · 07-29-2008, 11:13 PM

Dear Those of You with Celtic Heritage,
I really want to know the answer to this question:
Is it pronounced
Celtic with a hard K sound at the beginning
or
Celtic with a soft S sound at the beginning?
??????
Regards,
A'isha,
( Who is Franko-Berserker-Amerind and who promises to stay on topic after this.)

07-29-2008, 07:13 AM	#11 (permalink)
maariku Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Estonia Posts: 1,146	Oh, this article came as a revelation to me! Apparently, I am surrounded by terrorists all the time in my city! They are not trendy teenagers, they are a secret army waiting to take over the world! Ridiculous! I can understand banning presenting certain symbols. But in that case you have to be really aware what its meaning is. Something-kinda-reminding-of-something-bad is not good enough for me. Ehh, I don't think I've ever seen a Dunkin' Donuts in my lifetime, so it is easy to ignore them __________________ "[A good bellydancer] must express life, death, happiness, sorrow, love and anger, but above all she must have dignity." -Tahia Carioca,

07-29-2008, 05:43 PM	#13 (permalink)
nicknack Moderator Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nottingham UK Posts: 269	Aisha, I was talking about people wearing them in this country. People wrap regular scarves around there neck in the same fashion, so here such a case would never have been such a big deal. I'm aware of people using them as dance scarves, I've seen Asi Haskal using them on several occasions. America is strange because of cases like the dunkin donut's one, also because of those examples of self imposed segregation you sometimes find, and maybe because of phenonoma like Richard Simmons. Gypsy just to correct you, Britain is not Anglo Saxon, there is no "Anglo Saxon" culture. On the spot I can think of one Welshman, a Cornish friend and a Geordie who will agree with me. __________________ *Cause I'm not here to let you down. But the costume makes the clown.*

07-29-2008, 10:47 PM	#19 (permalink)
nicknack Moderator Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nottingham UK Posts: 269	The thing about this country is that a lot of us have dual cultural identities. We all seem to be British, and something else to go with it, wether it be Indian, Turkish, Russian... just because someone identifies as British doesn't mean that they don't still have roots elsewhere. It may not be part of British culture, but it is present in culture within Britain. Britain is an amalgamation of many different peoples with their own ideas and traditions that are usually shared (for example Leicester has one of the largest Divali celebrations outside of India, and is attended by all sections of the community). I still think it's strange to pull an ad in that way, usually ads are only withdrawn if there's public protest about something blatant and offensive. When you get to the point where you're withdrawing an ad because of a tiny little detail that may get misinterpreted, that is paranoia. Although I work for an American company, I understand the corporate zest for profits. __________________ *Cause I'm not here to let you down. But the costume makes the clown.*

07-29-2008, 11:13 PM	#20 (permalink)
Aisha Azar V.I.P. Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Pacific Northwest USA Posts: 4,463	Off topic, but I need to know!! Dear Those of You with Celtic Heritage, I really want to know the answer to this question: Is it pronounced Celtic with a hard K sound at the beginning or Celtic with a soft S sound at the beginning? ?????? Regards, A'isha, ( Who is Franko-Berserker-Amerind and who promises to stay on topic after this.)