It is not only the politicians pushing the flag wars, a Boots customer complaint led to the withdrawal of Union flag style t-shirts from its main Belfast store. Staff involved in a Dunhill promotion had been wearing the t-shirt. It was in the design of a UK flag but with grey instead of red bands.
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Aw diddums. [edited by moderator - play the ball]
“I was in Boots to get my lunch and buy a bottle of after-shave,” he told the Andersonstown News.
Before rushing to judgement, a question.
[edited by modetor - play the ball (even in jest)]
This is the future folks as we approach 50/50.
Imagine the uproar if the Boots staff were wearing Tricolours
an ad for Mr. Flag sporting the UJ has just appeared on this page ; )
I once bought a T shirt from the in shops that had a union jack coloured green white and gold, but bought my husband a t shirt that said, ‘F*ck u and your last rolo. Someone objected to it in Spain so he flicked them the bird…..
It takes all sorts I guess…
Is this what we have come to – a UK Company selling a UK Product in the UK cannot have the flag of the UK on a person selling it?
If Boots in the ROI were selling an Irish product in Ireland with the person selling it having the flag of Ireland on them, would anyone even notice?
Have people nothing better to do?
[edited by moderator - previous comment removed]
Did he buy it in order to legitimise his complaint? [edited by moderator - play the ball]
What is not made clear is whether the complainant was one who was generally unhappy with displays of the Union flag or one who generally loved and respected the flag and was upset by the despoiled usage it had been subject to in this promotion – being trailed in the dirt of commercialism so to speak.
If it was the latter, let us call him a unionist, I can understand and even sympathise with his concerns. If it was the former, let us call him a nationalist, then he should take a long hard look at himself for signs of pettiness before going and taking a running jump…..
p.s. I wonder will I be the first to manage two whole paragraphs before breaching the rules.
Well its certainly a considerable move on from people trying to blow up or burn down a lot of central Belfast.
The fact that we’re even discussing this shows how low the state of politics is in our little corner of the world.
Can we go even lower? Unfortunately, the answer is probably “yes, indeed”.
“What is not made clear is whether the complainant was one who was generally unhappy with displays of the Union flag or one who generally loved and respected the flag and was upset by the despoiled usage it had been subject to in this promotion – being trailed in the dirt of commercialism so to speak.”
He wasn’t upset for himself. He was upset for the humiliated staff of Boots, forced not just to endure the sight of the butcher’s apron but to actually wear it on their person.
Read the link;
“I decided to make a complaint because in this day and age people are entitled to work in a neutral environment and this is just a blatantly sectarian symbol….I’m an easy-going fella…”
See. He’s an easy going fella and Dunhill are advertising themselves with sectarian symbols.
Patriotic Irish people should not have to suffer the degarding treatment meted out by the clearly anti-catholic swiss bigots at Financiere Richemont.
Boycott all these brands.
http://www.richemont.com/our_businesses.html
And while we’re at it that Alfa Romeo ad with the red, white and green UJ is also unacceptable. I hope no republicans out there are driving Fiats, Alfas, Ferraris or Maseratis.
Arrrggghhh! Having been edited for a shop-lifting jibe I’m now aching to add a joy-riding one.
It’s absolutely rediculous for people to complain about this, for the Union flag has been incorporated into fashion, art, music, etc…since the dawn of the Pop art scene in the 1960′s.
Sure in the ROI, ie Dublin, ye can see folk from time to time wearing fashion items with the Union flag /logo, ie emblazoned not only T-Shirts, but trainers, bags, etc….People don’t get upset either, sure fashion etc..can be fickle!
Folk in Norn Iron seem to be ultra sensitive!
“Folk in Norn Iron seem to be ultra sensitive!”
No ultra insecure bordering on finger nail biting neuroticism countered only with valium and a tall glass of vodka.
What about the ‘Royal’ Mail staff having to wear the crown and drive around in vans blatantly endorsing the Windsor brand. And having to handle money with the Queens head on it.
Perhaps the people of West Belfast should refuse to accept their dole money or DLA if it contains any British symbols.
The main point here, is that it appears that none of the staff who actually had to wear the t-shirts complained. So why did Boots roll over in double-quick time just because some knuckle-dragging little bigot from the West professed to be offended on their behalf, before running off to boast to the Andytown News about his great ‘victory’?
i wunder if by any chance he is a distant relation to the guy a while back in the Celtic top protesting outside Croke Pk bout foreign games. Or maybe there is a Royal Avenue (what a potentially offensive name for a street by the way) Concerned Residents Association that we were previously unaware of.
The Ulster public has a rite 2 no.
there is a man who will complain about anything. there is a man who complains about garish flowers on roundabouts, there is a man who complains that street lamps should be banned, there is a man who complains that the post man didn’t have his tie done up properly. fortunately, most of the time this man is ignored, because to pander to his every whim would be ridiculous. occasionally, though, some idiot thinks it is a dereliction of duty not to do exactly as this man orders, and dances his disharmonious tune.
“Perhaps the people of West Belfast should refuse to accept their dole money or DLA if it contains any British symbols”
Or indeed pay their taxes Driftwood. Sure, after all, aren´t those bloody taigs supposed to have all the jobs these days?
Any use of Union flag imagery by Alfa is cancelled out by the clover-leaf logo which, in a poor light, can be mistaken for a shamrock. Which at least justifies me still longing for one, but who’s gonna vote for me?. I waaannt wan, mammy!
Folks
Please keep the comments on the appropriate side of the rules.
staff who take these complaints seriously and act on them should be sacked. they abviously arent competant enough to tell the difference between a complaint and a bitter chuckie trying to carry on ‘the war’ against any little thing he can find. taking these things seriously only makes everyone involved look like idiots.
just to test things out. someone should make 2 simultaneous complaints, one to get something removed and one to complain that something has been removed. then sit back and see what the company involved does. should be amusing…
“Or indeed pay their taxes Driftwood. Sure, after all, aren´t those bloody taigs supposed to have all the jobs these days?”
Quite so, Dominic
But since most of the salaries sadly are paid for by the British taxpayer they’d have to refuse them in first instance.
God! it’s handbags at dawn for Dominic and Glencoppagagh. Steady now, gals.
Wow! It’s not just Boots showing their colours here. Some here have barely suppressed aggression towards Irish nationalists. As ever Checkov shows himself to be first amongst equals…………….. for ignorance
What a storm in a tea cup. Boots should have just told the complainer to frig off and get a life.
The new Irish tourist shop “Carrolls” recently opened in Belfast city center. They have green, white and orange everywhere(no sign of unionist colours or symbols). There could be an argument that Irish tourist shops are sectarian.
I think that awful rock combo, The Who, should be barred from these islands. Imagine wearing Union Jackets….and all those r/w/b target t-shirts.
Unforgiveable. Even if they did put on a f**kin’ EXCELLENT show in Marlay Park last year….
“I think that awful rock combo, The Who, should be barred from these islands. Imagine wearing Union Jackets….and all those r/w/b target t-shirts.”
Never fear Raven, Roger Daltrey is well versed in Irish traditional music.
http://www.thewhocollection.com/daltrey/cds/chief.jpg
It was a great gig,but the Oxygen gig in 2006 was excellent.
Why are there no mods in Belfast?
Would you go around wearing a trarget on your back?