The jerk who complains about the noise

[spinkysay]

The new Doritos ad on tv reinforces the idea that those who complain about noise are sensitive no life jerks. The people in the ad don't want to be seen as complainers - the connotation is clear, complainers are weak little fusspots. Well we don't want to complain, we're forced to - and we don't like to be thought of as jerks either.

In the ad, for those who haven't seen it, there is loud music coming from upstairs, and someone says; "I don't want to be the jerk from downstairs who complains about the noise". Eventually someone goes up to complain about the noise and Kelly Osbourne opens the door eating Doritos. Someone in the room says; "Who's that?" and she says "Oh just some jerk from downstairs complaining about the noise".

My sense of humour is intact but I don't like this at all, so we're jerks because we want to sleep/get on with our lives and not be invaded by others' noise?
I don't like Doritos anyway but if I did I'd never buy them again.

Spinks

[Mistyeyeddreamer]

I haven't seen the ad but from what you've described, spinky, I think it sounds obnoxious.

Maybe we should all email or write to the company that manufactures Dorito's and thank them for exposing themselves as ignorant jerks!! Perhaps point out to them that many victims of noise abuse eat Doritos so their ad will probably backfire. Also castigate them for turning ignorant NFH into some sort of role models.

Grrr. I&#39;m angry http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/mad2.gif

Misty

[Mistyeyeddreamer]

I just found this site: http://www.cap.org.uk/

And found this as well:
Social responsibility/decency/fear and distress/safety/anti-social behaviour 2.2/4/5/9/10/11*
Is the marketing communication socially irresponsible, likely to offend its audience or cause fear or distress without good reason? Does it show unsafe or anti-social behaviour? Does it encourage people to break the law?[/b]

So maybe we should all complain to the Committee for Advertising Practice. I would certainly call noise abuse anti-social.

Misty

[Beth]

Yes I think we should complain to the broadcasting people

what about something like.........

Dear.........


I am writing to you as a representative from the internet support group Neighbours From Hell in Britain, regarding the doritos advertisment that has been shown recently.

This advert portrays people who complain about noisey neighbours as "jerks"
where in fact Noise from neighbours can be very damaging, causing both mental and phsyical ailments.

This advert is showing young people that it is ok to make a lot of noise and the person who complains is an idiot, reinforcing the fact that you can do what you want and effect who you want by your noise, and therefore have no respect for the people around you.

I would like to ask that this advertisment be removed from our screens or changed dramatically as I truly believe this advert will in time increase the amount of stress some people already suffer from the hands of their neighbours.

I would also like you to visit our support group and read for yourselves the situations people are put through by inconsiderate neighbours.

yours truly

.....blah blah.....

www.nfh.org.uk


Then we get the national papers involved telling them about doritos and we are all going to boycott them untill the advert is changed&#33;

Misty, do you happen to have an address for the complaints people?

(sorry would look my self but having migraine, had to write this post though&#33;)

I think we should get as many members to complain as possible on this.

[Mistyeyeddreamer]

Place to complain about television advertising is: http://www.itc.org.uk/how_can_we_help/ads/...mplaint_ads.asp (http://www.itc.org.uk/how_can_we_help/ads/complaint_ads.asp)

I&#39;ve also found out in the UK Doritos are distributed by Walkers (crisps). I&#39;ve found their website but no contact information.

I thought your letter was excellent, Beth http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

Shall we all write?

Misty

[Beth]

I havent yet seen the advert, the link you gave is excellent Misty, right to the point, but it asks when and what channel

please can someone tell me as I am in a complaining mood&#33;&#33;

Beth feeling a lot better&#33;

[spinkysay]

Glad you all agree. I&#39;m going to complain as soon as I get an address.
I know Walkers are based in Leicestershire.
On the back of their packets of crisps is a number;
08457 274777 plus an address, but it&#39;s for consumer complaints - as in complaints about the product. But the phone number might be of use to ask for their customer relations department.

The ad is on all the independant stations, so ITV.
It tends to be on in the evening.

I complained to the ITC last year about animal cruelty on a digital channel. They looked at a tape of the programme and said "The programme was causing the animals unessecary distress and suffering but in the situation of no other complainants" etc etc etc - so we need as many complaints as possible I think to get something done.

PS Beth - that sublime (???) channel QVC has a product guaranteed to combat migraines, it involves some sort of mask and equipment - just passing the info on&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33; Was about £35.

[Beth]

£35&#33;&#33;

gosh I think I&#39;ll stick to good ole migraleve&#33;

Thanks for the advice though&#33;

If you check the link that Misty gave you can complain on line, saves finding a stamp&#33;

[horsefans]

Havent seen the ad folks but just to confirm that Walkers crisps produce/ distribute them

They are targetted particularly at the "yooth" market and so I suppose the ad is aimed squarely at them.

The advertising watchdog is the avenue to go down- wouldnt even waste your breath contacting Walkers there is no way they would voluntarily scrap a series of very expensive ad&#39;s due to a "guilty" concious.

If I can dig up the address I will post it later

HF
http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

[hollygolightly]

Just referring back to Beth&#39;s earlier message, when someone next see&#39;s the advert, can they please post here to let us know what channel, the date shown and time shown.

The ITC need this information on the complaint form.

Cheers everyone&#33;

[Matthew]

http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/huh.gif This sort of thing does nothing to further responsible public awareness and only serves to trivialise and make the problem of noise comical or even ridiculous.

Don&#39;t get me started on the Osbourne&#39;s children though..........<biting tongue&#33;> http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif

[Beth]

just seen it

discovery channel (sky)
11pm
28th March 2003&#33;

now we can complain&#33;&#33;

[Mistyeyeddreamer]

I also saw it: 9.27pm, channel 4 between the second and third segment of friends.

I&#39;ll do an online complaint tomorrow http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

Misty

[Beth]

fantastic&#33;

the more complaints the better,

what about press coverage? any ideas or favorite papers?

I will do mine in the next few days.....such a pain working weekends&#33;&#33;&#33;

[Mistyeyeddreamer]

I&#39;ve just completed the online form and made my complaint. Just have to sit back and wait now http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

Misty

[Scooby]

Right folks,

The address that you need for Walkers Crisps is :-

Walkers Snack Foods Limited,
PO Box 23,
Thurmaston,
Leicester
LE4 8ZU

Website www.walkers.co.uk

Perhaps getting the letter directed to the Marketing Director might do the trick, no company likes to be viewed in a negative light.

I for one will be hoofing a letter off to them this afternoon, I have not seen the advert but I take offence at it&#39;s connotations.

[Scooby]

Right then, I have hit the ITC&#39;s website and submitted my complaint, the more complaints the ITC receive the better it is and the more committed they are to removing the offending material.

[spinkysay]

My complaints have been sent to both. Thanks for all the addresses everyone.

Spinks

[hollygolightly]

I don&#39;t have Sky&#33;

It was on ITV last night - Saturday March 29th at 22.50 (the last break in "Reborn in the USA).

Complaint going to ITC from us now - it has been done. Lets just wait to see what they do about it.

[Tannasg]

Quick thanks for letting all of us fusspot weak jerks who vomit at the thought of Doritos know about the ad - an ad which is awesome cheek in view of the fact that those who are likely to need to complain about the noise are those who make the money to pay the taxes that often enables the Doritos eaters to afford both Doritos and noisemaker - and to do so of course, they need their kip&#33;

I have a public confession to make - I don&#39;t have a tv. http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blush.gif

(or, come to that, afford to read magazines or newspapers - never mind the atrocious licence fee for the equally atrocious programming - not AND have a net connection - and obviously there&#39;s more value to be had from the net connection and a pc - sure there&#39;s &#39;web tv&#39; - but that doesn&#39;t do all a pc does, so . . .)

Having said that though - if I could afford a tv I wouldn&#39;t have one. Films are available on DVD . . so don&#39;t even need a video and tv card.

I don&#39;t get to see billboards either, of course . . . so information on this board is really handy - thanks for the addresses etc Scooby - I&#39;m in the same way, not seen it but object immensely. It isn&#39;t only &#39;quietist??&#39; but by implication, ageist - &#39;aged&#39; &#39;crumbly&#39; wrinkly&#39; etc usually being applied by anyone over about 25 by the Doritoeater . . . and I&#39;ll be making my objections known too.

tannasg

[Beth]

my complaint is now in&#33;

not holding my breath though&#33;

[Matthew]

Originally posted by april@Mar 31 2003, 10:22 PM
Complained to Bravo last night
Oh yeah?&#33; Ahhhhhaaaaa mmmmmhmmm.........

Bravo eh?&#33; http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/ohmy.gif

Of course you were watching "Ripley&#39;s: Believe it or Not" - like I was&#33; http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[hollygolightly]

I have had 2 e-mails back from ITC confirming that they have my complaint and they are looking into it.

[spinkysay]

So did I, will be interesting to see what comes of this.

[Beth]

I have started e-mailing newspapers today....well. ...

I&#39;ve managed one as I am supposed to be asleep&#33;(doing night shift)

So when I am awake and home i will do some more.

basically said we were complaining and why, also means more publicity for the site&#33;

[Tannasg]

Now net is back up - been down all day apart from 2 brief periods - and have had pc in bits for remainder - no, no more breakdowns - add ons. USB 2.0 and hi-power AGP.

Thank heaven for (ex)little (ex)boys&#33; I can do the work - they supply the bits.

Mailed ITC tonite about to set to on Walkers.

Website has come to temp halt as to be honest since the little arson attack and the council trying to put it on that it was our responsibility to replace the fence - COME ON&#33;&#33;

Twas the council who destroyed our rear access and made it impossible for our dog to guard the property all round. . . those kids(?) would never have crouched that close to the fence with the dog on the other side going ape**** - they know he can jump it easily.

Anyway, have not felt humorous since then - mind has become totally blank except for evil schemes . . . that swine with the truck is becoming more and more of a pain . . neither police nor council will do anything - am considering contacting the firm whose truck it actually is and letting them know what he is doing with it.
Parking illegally/dangerously - closer than ever to the junction today. Using their vehicle for harassment.
Playing with it as if it were a damn dinky toy by loading and unloading his vehicles and caravans in the middle of the junction - and to hell with the traffic - he quite happily holds up a tailback half a mile long while he messes about. He sure needs the practice alright - but not here.

Havent forgotten the site - but there has to be something worth seeing on it&#33;

Thanks to those who have provided the info re times of showing - as I said, no tv so wouldn&#39;t have a clue re the ITC site.

Oh - did HEAR it the other night - on our neighbour&#39;s tv thru the wall, while the lads and I were eating. I recognised the wording straightaway from the board&#33; Mentioned that on the ITC site - thought it illustrated the point nicely.

tannasg

[Matthew]

Anyone else who complained about this get an ITC letter this morning?

Some of it:


We received a number of complaints from viewers who were worried or upset by this advertising, most had experienced noise pollution themselves. Viewers were mainly concerned that it gave the impression that the complainant was in the wrong rather than the noisy neighbours. Some felt this would encourage noise pollution... etc

...do not agree that the advertisement is in breach of our code. etc

We believe viewers will be of the same opinion as the gang (&#39;friendchips&#39; Doritos gang), that the neighbours are being completely unreasonable and that playing music at such a volume is uncalled for and certainly not OK.

etc...

We believe that most viewers are aware of who Kelly Osbourne is, not to mention her outrageous family. They will also be aware of the type of behaviour that can be expected from her. For this reason, we believe viewers are more likely to consider her actions as inappropriate rather than Fin&#39;s and that she is in the wrong. etc.[/b]

Well, not the outcome we&#39;d hoped for, for sure. But, admittedly it does seem that the ITC took the complaints seriously (?) and lets hope it may have some &#39;unofficial&#39; effects on such advertisements in future.

From a personal point of view - it seems like the ITC are saying, yes, it&#39;s OK as Kelly Osbourne is doing it, and "most viewers are aware of who Kelly Osbourne is". Almost like they&#39;re saying, she&#39;s a &#39;celebrity&#39; so it&#39;s OK, people will understand. Seems like flimsy and shallow reasoning to me.

Can&#39;t say I neccessarily agree, I still feel Osbourne and Walkers are promoting anti-social and noisy behaviour, but at least the issue has obviously been examined in some depth by the ITC?

What&#39;s everyone else think?

[Tannasg]

What do I think? Printably - same as you, Matthew

Unprintably . . . . use your imaginations<g>

tannasg

[hollygolightly]

Yep, I got that letter this morning and you beat me to it Matthew, I was going to post the reponse here.

I&#39;m glad they looked into the complaints but not happy with their response at all.

[Matthew]

Here&#39;s a scan of the letter, courtesy of Tannasg, thanks Tannas http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

I&#39;ve reduced the size and quality of the letter a little to make the file a little smaller in size, so hope everyone can read ok.

[Mistyeyeddreamer]

I didn&#39;t get a letter, but with our postman it&#39;s probably gone to somebody else, he delivered a letter for another resident here today, and this is not the first time. (Must do a Victor on the Post Office http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif )

My response: What a load of utter rubbish&#33; The fact the &#39;The Osbornes&#39; is quite a popular programme means that Kelly is probably looked upon as a role model by some younger viewers. That said, wouldn&#39;t they want to emulate her? Think like her?

No, I&#39;m not happy with that badly thought out reply http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif

Misty

[spinkysay]

It&#39;s the phrase - it&#39;s the ******g phrase&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33; "I don&#39;t want to be the JERK from downstairs who complains about the noise". Jerk - meaning &#39;whinging idiot&#39;, meaning people who complain about noise are whinging idiots - it&#39;s simple English for Gods sake. It&#39;s the given meaning behind that phrase. Grrrrrr.

[Matthew]

Originally posted by spinkysay@May 14 2003, 12:53 PM
It&#39;s the phrase -
Agreed Spinks, you&#39;re right.

Does anyone want to help challenge this and be an &#39;official spokesperson&#39; for all of us at NFH in Britain?

E-mail and let me know if so ok http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[Scooby]

Hi All,

Got my letter tonight and I was reading it over dinner and I can say hand on heart that I am not entirely surprised. Unless it is something that the ITC will get a sackload of mail for, then in reality they will not tend to rule against the advertiser for fear of loosing their revenue.

Which is a bit rich really. I wonder if they have informed Doritos makers Walkers Snack Foods of all the complaints. I have not seen the advert around for a while, so maybe Walkers have held off until the complaint was resolved.

Or maybe pigs might fly &#33;

P.S. Forgot to add note the spelling mistake at the bottom of the first page - Dorotos instead of Doritos. Mine came through like that - just one of those bog standard whizz them out responses.

[rockbank]

I agree that this advert is very poor.

However did you notice on the letter that the ITC were good enough to supply an e-mail of the person looking into this?

Andrea.mclarnon@itc.org.uk

The ITC are fully aware that if they receive complaints about an advert then this is usually only about 1% of the actual number of people who believe it causes offence.

Therefore reach for your e-mails folks and send in your complaint.

[Mistyeyeddreamer]

My letter finally arrived this morning. My daughter brought it up to me and I was about to blow a fuse because there was revenue protection label on it, i.e. no postage paid. In fact it had been franked but upside down so most of the frank was on the window and had obviously rubbed off. The postman didn&#39;t ask for payment so he must have noticed. Otherwise I&#39;d have had to pay £1.20 for a rejection&#33;&#33;&#33; http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

Should I write and complain http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif

Misty

[Matthew]

Originally posted by rockbank@May 16 2003, 12:44 PM
I agree that this advert is very poor.

However did you notice on the letter that the ITC were good enough to supply an e-mail of the person looking into this?

Andrea.mclarnon@itc.org.uk
Good point Rockbank http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

Who wants to help formulate an official NFH group reply to the ITC?

Or do people think this needs to be done on an individual basis?

Either way, we need to act within the next few days, or the impetus will be lost. http://www.nfh.org.uk/forums/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif