Negative images of older women

Women and Home is aimed at our age group I think. Fashion pages always full of 20 something 6ft 2 models. And GH covers - middle aged celebs airbrushed into unrecognisability.
Poor plumbers. We should lay off.
It was not the use of the image, it was the slogan!

Nelliemoser A catalogue for clothes for ladies of a certain age arrived on my doormat yesterday. Apart from one section of clothes by a specific designer, not a single model in any of the photographs could possibly have been more than about 30 years old. Also, it was quite clear that none of them needed the much boasted about secret panel that flattens the tummy and special design that makes the bum look perky. The catalogue went straight in the recycling.

They were pussycats, really. If only more companies would go to some trouble to apologise and please their customers

These poor people with their abject apologies didn't expect such an onslaught from Gransnetters Long may Granny power continue! .

Have you ever seen the adverts for easy access showers, easy riser chairs etc.
They all seem to have very fit looking grey haired women in the pictures. When clearly those with such mobility issues usually have signs of our arthritic joints etc.

I can't make up my mind if it would be better to show in these adverts, those people with mobilty impairment who actually use this equipment as they are.
Otherwise the disabled and the elderly get increasingly hidden away as unacceptable to be viewed.

The late Thora Hird did some but she was a "national treasure."

I thought it was a quite funny!

My husband has just had a website designed and had a real job trying to persuade the designers to put in photos of older people 'Are you sure that's the image you want to promote?' Considering he mainly visits Care Homes etc, 'Yes it blooming well is' was the answer!

Yes, of course I was, when! Plumbers are fair game....

It was insensitive but I would probably have smiled. Nice that the plumbers came clean and apologised for any offence given. Customer Service in a big organisation might have suggested that the lady was unhappy because she owned a cranky old boiler and that 'any suggestion of an interpretation detrimental to the mature, be-spectacled or follically-challenged female community is unthinkable'.

I think ana's post was responding to the Grumpy Old Man suggestion.

new user but so agrre with your comment

Ana Why would plumbers sending themselves up be sexist?

But not a spring chicken.

I'd probably have laughed it off ... pic sounds like lots of women I know, and lots of them are cranky too. Isn't an old boiler a chicken?!

I agree Petallus they sound genuine.

Oh dear, Helen has apologised again! I won't paste this one, it's more of the same

I think they responded well to the complaint. I'd use them.

Wouldn't that be just as sexist?

I thanked them for their reply and suggested perhaps an advert sending themselves up instead of women. They sound fairly harmless

.....and a second reply! This one is offering a discount!

Hi Carol

On behalf of Pure Plumbing I sincerely apologise that you have taken offense, I myself am a middle age woman and work in the office. The company has run a series of joking adverts to lighten the mood, trying to take something that is stressful for people, with regard to their plumbing and heating, and make it light hearted.

Regrettably you have received an advert that you do not like and I will make sure your comments are passed onto the company who designed the adverts.

Apologies again for any upset, however can assure you our plumbers are lovely guys. If you change your mind and ask to speak to me, I will make sure you get a discount.

Kind regards

Helen
Pure plumbing and Heating

Got a reply Jess

Hello Mrs M.......
Firstly may I apologise , we did not mean to be offensive in away and I am sorry if we have upset you,
We are only trying to get our family business noticed , we a small bossiness that is working hard to build a good reputation in the Milton Keynes area and the last thing we want to do is upset anyone.
The adverts were meant to be a bit of a joke and there are various different ones that we are running.

If there is anything I can do to change your mind about using my company please let me know ,
Again I am very sorry for upsetting you.

Robin Riley

James Ray
| Pure Plumbing and Heating | www.pureph.co.uk |

Anyone got a picture of a grumpy old man to offer him to replace it? With a suitable alternative to "old boiler" ? I'm sure we can come up with something ....

I wonder how old he is...?

The cheeky b*gg*r!

Well that one has sent ok. I'll post his reply if I get one

Went to the website but nothing controversial there. Pity, I'd have enjoyed telling him what was what,