Hatrack River Forum: French Apology in Washing Instructions

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Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :

This is good for a giggle. It's done wonders for sales. How long before other manufacturers try this out?

In a lather over a laundry label

quote:
In a lather over a laundry label
By Kitty Yancey, USA TODAY
A laundering-instruction label is spinning controversy — and big sales — for a little company in Port Angeles, Wash., that makes travel gear.

The label, in English and French, contains the usual wash-in-warm-water, no-dryer info. But after that on the French portion is an extra message. Translated, it reads: "We are sorry that our president is an idiot. We did not vote for him."

"Someone in the factory did it. I don't know whether they were upset with me, President Bush or Jacques Chirac," says Tom Bihn, founder and president of Tom Bihn Inc., which sells on the Internet and in Port Angeles and Seattle stores.

The perpetrator isn't in hot water. "I thought it was pretty funny," Bihn says. But some buyers didn't. "Twenty percent are offended."

Still, sales have doubled since the label came to his attention in April. It's on many of his products; objectors can opt for labels to be left off.

And has Bihn heard a "Mon dieu!" from Chirac or Bush? "I think they've got bigger issues to deal with."

Here's the French statement and its translation:

quote:
French 'apology'

How it reads: Nous sommes désolés que notre président soit un idiot. Nous n’avons pas voté pour lui.

Translation: “We are sorry that our president is an idiot. We did not vote for him.”

Anybody have some ideas for other messages on laundry tags or buried in instruction manuals? What languages?

Posted by Erik Slaine (Member # 5583) on :

[ROFL]

That was great! Thanks!

Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :

[ROFL]

Posted by Book (Member # 5500) on :

That's pretty good stuff.

Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :

See, the thing that I think really makes this something with almost universal appeal is the built-in ambiguity in the message.

It's an American manufacturer, but the message is in French. So no one can figure out just which president the apology is referring to.

(yeah, I know, the article already says that, but it bears repeating.)

It's great.

Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :

Sndrake,
I think this is just another example of the leftist media Spin. It really is a terrible Cycle we are going through. There is a Tide of conservative-bashing. What, exactly, do you think that will Gain us? If you ask me, it will only get us in more hot water with the conservatives. I say, just let freedom wring!

[ June 25, 2004, 04:32 PM: Message edited by: Elizabeth ]

Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :

On the other hand, Elizabeth, I think it's great that the disgruntled employee had a chance to air their dirty laundry this way. Hm. I was going to say something else, but it's Bounced clean out of my mind. So, I guess that's All.

Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :

So, Noemon, I guess you fold.

Posted by Olivetta (Member # 6456) on :

I was going to add something to this discussion, but there aren't any wash products called *GROAN*

Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :

much as it agitates me to do so, I'm afraid I have no choice.

Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :

Elizabeth,

Conservatives have no reason to bleach and foam about this. It's their starch in trade, after all. They can press all they want, but I refuse to fold. I will dry, dry again.

Posted by Erik Slaine (Member # 5583) on :

*flees*

Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :

Truly, sndrake, you have an iron will.

Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :

I guess its just one hand washing the other.

Posted by weezer (Member # 6643) on :

someone figure out a way to use Woolite

Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :

quote:
Truly, sndrake, you have an iron will.

Thanks, Noemon, but frankly I get board with people telling me that.

I am just bound and detergent. That's all.

Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :

Woolite like to, weezer, but I don't even know who you are.

Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :

weezer, rivka might come across as a little hard, but if you talk to her nicely, you'll softener.

Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :

OTOH, press her too hard and she'll knock the starch out of you. When she's agitated, she drops the fluff and will clean the floor with you.

Posted by Anna (Member # 2582) on :

He IS an idiot, and I actually did vote for him. Trust me, it was a choice between pest and cholera. [Frown]

Posted by BlueJacsFan (Member # 6590) on :

quote:
someone figure out a way to use Woolite

Being a bachelor, I'd never use the stuff, but I've heard it works when washing by hand, or in small loads in the washing machine. [Wink]