I still fail to see how the provided, mirrored, example, is in any way offensive.
I never said it wasn't dumb (either direction).
As I stated, I think that you'd have to be looking to be offended to find this offensive.
Look, I know from offensive, okay? I know how to tell if something is truly offensive -- to someone besides myself, even! And the only way this particular example comes up smelling offensive to me is when I deliberately assume it's malicious and targeted.
If they'd said "He finally grew up. We have his toys."? That'd be offensive. (Or substitute "she", works either way.)
If they'd said "Don't be this guy. Give us your old toys." while showing a picture of some sad anorak clutching his mint-condition boxset, that'd be offensive.
*This* ad demonstrates a good thing -- guy (or girl!) found him/herself an SO -- the ad implies after a long search, even -- and considers them more important than his/her action figures, so gave them to Goodwill.
How is this offensive, again?
--sofaspud
--"Listening to your kid is the audio equivalent of a Salvador Dali painting, Spud." --OpMegs
I never said it wasn't dumb (either direction).
As I stated, I think that you'd have to be looking to be offended to find this offensive.
Look, I know from offensive, okay? I know how to tell if something is truly offensive -- to someone besides myself, even! And the only way this particular example comes up smelling offensive to me is when I deliberately assume it's malicious and targeted.
If they'd said "He finally grew up. We have his toys."? That'd be offensive. (Or substitute "she", works either way.)
If they'd said "Don't be this guy. Give us your old toys." while showing a picture of some sad anorak clutching his mint-condition boxset, that'd be offensive.
*This* ad demonstrates a good thing -- guy (or girl!) found him/herself an SO -- the ad implies after a long search, even -- and considers them more important than his/her action figures, so gave them to Goodwill.
How is this offensive, again?
--sofaspud
--"Listening to your kid is the audio equivalent of a Salvador Dali painting, Spud." --OpMegs