| Author | Message | ||
     Joe Citizen Username: Gonets Post Number: 1113 Registered: 2-2004 |
Advertisers know that one of the surest ways to create name recognition is to shock people. I’ve come to expect an onslaught of lascivious images during my TV viewing. But not feeling much of a personal connection to these brands, I’m not all that bothered by the means they choose to hawk their products. Sadly, a local business that I’ve sung the praises of on this board, Caribbean Cuisine, has chosen to take the low road by circulating a handbill that screams, “Eat Dinner in Your Underwear.” This salacious come-on is their way of announcing the fact that they now deliver. Great news for people who want to place a dinner order from work without having to schlep over to First Street in South Orange to get the grub. I can’t figure out why, instead of appealing to a wholesome desire for convenience, they target seamier desires. Such a shame and a real shocker. Vidya has got to be the one behind this. Mario has way too much class. He knows it’s enough to just have great food at a great price. But Vidya has often displayed an overly bawdy sense of humor common among Trinidadian women. Now, I wouldn’t suggest a boycott of this establishment, because I do love their food. Plus I’m a believer in positive reinforcement. The best course of action would be for customers to let them know that though they love the food, they don’t appreciate their attempt to tap into baser instincts. I myself am so angry that I can't face them right now. So, I’ll be ordering delivery, but eating my dinner fully clothed. | ||
| Earlster Supporter Username: Earlster Post Number: 1449 Registered: 8-2003  |
Does that mean you are not wearing underwear under your clothe?  | ||
| Josh Holtz Citizen Username: Jholtz Post Number: 223 Registered: 4-2004 |
I am a little confused, as usual - is your complaint that the handbill was placed on your car window (form of littering) or the content of the handbill itself? Was there a half naked person pictured on the handbill eating roti or just the suggestion of one? | ||
| I'm Only Sleeping Citizen Username: Imonlysleeping Post Number: 112 Registered: 8-2005 |
Good lord, lighten up! This couldn't be less shocking or offensive. | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 8426 Registered: 4-1997  |
Is it really that different from the common refrain, "working in ones underwear" for people who work from home? | ||
| summerbabe Citizen Username: Summerbabe Post Number: 39 Registered: 7-2005 |
First of all, you spelled "lewd" incorrectly. Second, don't you realize this is just a local establishment trying to be cute in its advertising? I can't see anything offensive about it, from what you've described. Unless the ad shows someone eating a roti in a thong, I really don't see how this could offend anyone's sensibilities. And your comments about the owners seem a little too personal... | ||
| joecool Citizen Username: Joecool Post Number: 170 Registered: 11-2001  |
I think your reference to Vidia (sp?) is way over the line. I've eaten there many times and gotten take-out as well and always found both her and Mario to be quite lovely. and I'm happy to know they deliver! | ||
| Hank Zona Supporter Username: Hankzona Post Number: 5134 Registered: 3-2002 |
I prefer to eat dinner in serving dishes, not in underwear. If there is a picture of someone eating roti wearing a thong on the advertisement, I want to see it (to fairly judge if it is lewd or not, I mean)! If there is no picture, its just fun and an attempt to grab a little attention. Of course, they shouldnt advocate eating hot soup in one's underwear..there are potential injury risks there. But any cold or room temperature foods are probably safe if one is stripped down. | ||
| susan1014 Supporter Username: Susan1014 Post Number: 1284 Registered: 3-2002 |
Eating dinner in your underwear doesn't necessarily have a lewd connotation...you are the one seeing it that way. For others it might just be about comfort (although not with my heating bills..We wear sweaters at home) Mainly, though, I'm troubled by your decision to single out one of the owners, say that it must be her fault, and to make sweeping generalizations and judgements about Trinidadian women. Talk about base instincts.... | ||
| Fight the power Citizen Username: Tookiew Post Number: 44 Registered: 12-2005 |
Those crazy Trinidadian women. Hey Joe, maybe you can just order in your sheet next time. | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 8427 Registered: 4-1997 |
Maybe Joe is part of a secret plan to boost the ad campaign?  | ||
| I'm Only Sleeping Citizen Username: Imonlysleeping Post Number: 113 Registered: 8-2005 |
Plus, there's nothing lascivious about lounging around in your underwear at home. It's not like they're saying "Eat Dinner While Having Sex." It's just a cute way of saying "order in." I think you're way out of line here. You're "so angry" you can't face them? That just seems like a totally bizarre response. How do you make it through the day if THIS makes you furious? EDIT: oops, somebody said something similar already as I was posting this. | ||
| Lucy Supporter Username: Lucy Post Number: 2570 Registered: 5-2005  |
Gee Joe you really need to take a chill pill. | ||
| Joe Citizen Username: Gonets Post Number: 1114 Registered: 2-2004 |
Dave, Eating in your underwear is unsanitary. Working in your underwear is unsavory. Hey, don't you work from home? Are you administering this website in your underwear? If so what kind of website is this you're running? I feel dirty just thinking about it. Put on something decent for God's sake. Sorry about my spelling of lewd. I stand by my comments about Vidya. She is bawdy. But Mario's very classy. | ||
| Hank Zona Supporter Username: Hankzona Post Number: 5135 Registered: 3-2002 |
perhaps more people should eat dinner in their underwear (at home, that is)..maybe the world would ultimately be a happier, less stressful place. Or at least, maybe more people would skip dessert. | ||
| Innisowen Citizen Username: Innisowen Post Number: 1344 Registered: 3-2004 |
Re:"If there is a picture of someone eating roti wearing a thong on the advertisement," in a posting above... I don't believe I have ever heard of "roti wearing a thong." I can't even imagine the source goat wearing a thong. What am I missing? | ||
| Dave Supporter Username: Dave Post Number: 8429 Registered: 4-1997 |
I think "bring your dog to dinner" would be as good an ad campaign. Dogs are as good as monkeys in advertising. | ||
| Urbanretreat Citizen Username: Urbanretreat Post Number: 17 Registered: 7-2005 |
Dave, I have to disagree. There is no single image as powerful as that of a monkey. A monkey wearing a taco hat or riding a bull is even more influential. I will buy whatever they are selling. | ||
| Hank Zona Supporter Username: Hankzona Post Number: 5137 Registered: 3-2002 |
Ive never seen a goat wearing a thong, but hows about a hippo wearing a bikini?  | ||
| cmontyburns Citizen Username: Cmontyburns Post Number: 1689 Registered: 12-2003  |
Now I can't get the image of a thong-clad Tom Reingold digging into a roti out of my head. Granted, I was thinking about it before I read this thread, but still. | ||
| Joe Citizen Username: Gonets Post Number: 1115 Registered: 2-2004 |
cmonty, I just emailed you that jpeg of Reingold you requested. | ||
| growler Citizen Username: Growler Post Number: 881 Registered: 11-2001  |
I like it. I'm not offened in the slighest. And it actually might be a fun idea to spice up the marriage! | ||
| Wendyn Supporter Username: Wendyn Post Number: 2631 Registered: 9-2002  |
I think some people on this thread are missing the sarcasm gene. | ||
| susan1014 Supporter Username: Susan1014 Post Number: 1285 Registered: 3-2002 |
If Joe was being sarcastic when he twice insulted the female owner of CC, and made generalizations about Trinidadian women, then I indeed missed it! Please show me how to recognize his postings as sarcasm (so I can give him the benefit of the doubt)  (note, I don't necessarily see the word "bawdy" as an insult, but Joe is clearly using it that way). | ||
| ML Supporter Username: Ml1 Post Number: 2907 Registered: 5-2002  |
A couple of points: First I don't think "lude" was a misspelling. It seems to me that ludes and eating dinner in one's underwear probably go together to some degree. Second, I don't think there's clear evidence that monkeys or dogs are superior in advertising, per se. Talking animals in ads are the gold standard, followed closely by talking babies. But since these are print ads, the whole talking thing is moot (or mute, as it were). | ||
| Wendyn Supporter Username: Wendyn Post Number: 2633 Registered: 9-2002 |
Um, he linked to their page. Do you really think someone that was seriously mad would do that? Also, the use of lascivious, salacious and bawdy in the same post tipped me off. | ||
| Joe Citizen Username: Gonets Post Number: 1117 Registered: 2-2004 |
Or maybe Wendy, you have a high tolerance for smut. Ok. I feel it necessary to clear up a few things. They’re not littering. The flyers are in the restaurant. Not being left on car windows. So their means of disseminating the news that they now offer delivery is unassailable. No pictures of people eating Roti’s in thongs. Please don’t give them any ideas. Without a doubt I have issues. The reason I said Trinidadian women are bawdy is that I’m married to a Trinidadian woman, and to me she seems bawdy. However, I’m Irish Catholic. Compared to us Menonites are bawdy. I’m glad you folks aren’t as upset as I about the suggestive nature of their handbill. Finally, I think Mario and Vidya do an excellent job making people feel at home. I can honestly say that they treat me like family. Eating there is like visiting the in-laws without having to visit the in-laws. (I sure hope my in-laws don't view this site.) | ||
| Wendyn Supporter Username: Wendyn Post Number: 2634 Registered: 9-2002 |
Why yes, I do have an extremely high tolerance for smut.  | ||
| Innisowen Citizen Username: Innisowen Post Number: 1347 Registered: 3-2004 |
I have an extremely high tolerance for roti goat or goat roti, depending on whom I order from. | ||
| growler Citizen Username: Growler Post Number: 882 Registered: 11-2001 |
Mmmmmmmm.....curry beef roti...... | ||
| drewdix Citizen Username: Drewdix Post Number: 1103 Registered: 7-2001 |
this thread doesn't add up. | ||
| Virtual It Girl Citizen Username: Shh Post Number: 3813 Registered: 5-2001 |
This is probably one of the funniest threads in history. And I swear, I am NOT thinking of ANYONE in a thong eating a shrimp wonton!!! But boxers, what's wrong with that? | ||
| Beans Citizen Username: Nalini Post Number: 118 Registered: 11-2004 |
Phew!!! for a second there I thought you were serious. I love caribbean cuisine and Vidya and Mario could not be more accommodating. Hmmmm, can't wait to go back for some curried chicken | ||
| BGS Citizen Username: Bgs Post Number: 520 Registered: 10-2003 |
I am so glad that am working after hours and not too many people are here...I have been laughing out loud at every new post...I am now going to have to go to this restaurant just to finally have their food and get a flyer for delivery in case we love the food... Thanks for the late afternoon entertainment!!! By the way..how did Tom Reingold get into this mess??? I did not see a post by him...am I missing something? | ||
| Hank Zona Supporter Username: Hankzona Post Number: 5140 Registered: 3-2002 |
Tom may not seem to be here, but he's our Tom Joad...he's ever'where... "A fella ain't got a soul of his own, just a little piece of a big soul - the one big soul that belongs to ever'body. Then...then, it don't matter. I'll be all around in the dark. I'll be ever'-where - wherever you can look. Wherever there's a fight so hungry people can eat, I'll be there. I'll be in the way guys yell when they're mad - I'll be in the way kids laugh when they're hungry an' they know supper's ready. An' when the people are eatin' the stuff they raise, and livin' in the houses they build - I'll be there, too." | ||
| Strings Supporter Username: Blue_eyes Post Number: 779 Registered: 4-2004  |
It reminds me of my favorite Latin proverb: Semper ubi sub ubi. | ||
| Joe Citizen Username: Gonets Post Number: 1125 Registered: 2-2004 |
I need to set the record straight on a few things: First, everyone but me has been spelling Vidia’s name correctly. Good on ya. Second, it turns out the “Eat Dinner in Your Underwear” teaser was conceived by Mario not Vidia. I have no stereotypes to offer about Trinidadian men, other than that they tend to have very pretty sisters (if they have sisters). Third, it was Vidia’s idea for them to start delivering, but not because it will be good for business. Rather, since it will be Mario who’s doing the delivery, it’s just a scheme she came up with to get him out of her hair. So, help Vidia out and get some takeout from Caribbean Cuisine. | ||
| Shanabana Citizen Username: Shanabana Post Number: 117 Registered: 10-2005 |
If Irish Catholics aren't bawdy, I don't know who is! Everyone I've met from Trinidad is very polite and courteous. Italians are all mob-related. Americans are fat. Menonites (sp) are boring. Faithless Irish-Americans like the underwear food ad. HA! | ||
| Shanabana Citizen Username: Shanabana Post Number: 118 Registered: 10-2005 |
By the way, where's the restaurant, or what's the number? | ||
| mem Citizen Username: Mem Post Number: 5664 Registered: 5-2001  |
And you can't even find a good bootleg lude anymore! |
