I'm so pissed off right now.

[Sheldon Cooper]

I just saw this commercial for a regional convenience store chain:

In light of all that has gone on world-wide with abuse of women, they think it's okay to show a young man stripping the clothes from an unsuspecting woman for the amusement of himself and another guy?? I fired off an email to the company and told them in very strong terms how much this sucks. Really, I am just furious about this. Assholes.

[Warpy]

1. Well, it's not like she's a human being, or anything

She's just a piece of meat, there for the enjoyment of juvenile males.

[Sheldon Cooper]

2. Yes. Who cares if she's shocked and humiliated

by being suddenly and unwittingly disrobed by two men? That's what she's there for.

(PS - that last line is sarcasm. I feel compelled to mention that to the jury.)

[seabeyond]

3. i sent me email.

so fuckin tired of the male entitlement to a naked girl. couple pun ass kids with the force... their right to.

[Sheldon Cooper]

4. Thanks.

I stop at this place 3-5 times/week, and estimate that I spend $75-$100/week between getting gas, drinks, snacks, and the daily paper. No more, and I told them why. My money means nothing to them, so I'm more than ready to give it to the convenience store across the street -they have the same gas, drinks, snacks, etc.

[seabeyond]

5. actually, i know a handful of companies that have back out of offensive ads

when people started protesting.

they might care, and learn.

[Sheldon Cooper]

6. If they acknowledge this, and withdraw the ad, I'll go back to them.

I hope they come to their senses.

[Scuba]

7. Offensive. Don't have that chain here, so boycotting them will be easy for me.

[MadrasT]

8. Oh hell, no.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I will write to them tomorrow and stop going there until/unless they retract and apologize.

Unacceptable. I will be HAPPY to give all my business to their competitors.

[ismnotwasm]

9. Eww

More 'present young males as geeky, creepy dumbasses' and we can just go ahead and ignore the sexual assault implied.

[CrispyQ]

10. I wrote to them.

I mentioned the fact that the young woman obviously did not consent & that this is exactly the type of ad that contributes to a rape culture where women are viewed as mere objects for men to use. I also mentioned Stubenville. Perhaps the horror of being associated with that vile mess will make them re-think this commercial, although I doubt it. It will fall under the "boys will be boys" excuse.

[Sheldon Cooper]

11. Thank you and I'm glad you mentioned Steubenville.

Sheetz is a widespread chain in PA, OH, WVA, and maybe MD and NY. They may even have a store in Steubenville.

[seabeyond]

12. yes. i mentioned rape/gang rape happening today and male privilege and entitlement.

was fun imagining them putting there ad with those words.

johnson and wells. metro and now mesa university in colorado. also son has university in new orleans and los cruces new mexico. but, i might just end up in colorado and will let you know

[MadrasT]

13. Just wrote to them.

Noticed their corporate offices are in Altoona, PA... that explains a lot, actually. Not exactly a bastion of progressivism -- it's good ol' boys central up there.

[Shampoobra]

14. the "force"

Of all the options at their fingertips (thesaurus), the writers of this commercial chose to use the word "force" to describe the power these guys are using to strip her.

[seabeyond]

15. ya. that is why i thought connecting rape to this cutsey little piece was important and insightful

agree

[Sheldon Cooper]

16. Here is their response to my email:

Thank you for sharing your feedback concerning the television commercial airing in your region. I have passed along your comments to our marketing team for consideration as well.

We appreciate your time and thoughts.

Melissa McKee

Senior Administrative Assistant

Brand Development Dept.

Sheetz, Inc.

[e-mail]

I was hoping for a bit more, Melissa.

[seabeyond]

17. now, take her email and talk to her as a woman.

and get more from her. i have done that a handful of times. tell her that is not good enough. and as a woman, in a rape culture, how does she feel about projecting punk ass kids able to use "force" to strip an unwilling woman naked.

let her know that simply was not good enough.

and see if she responds.

thanks for giving us the feedback.

[CrispyQ]

22. I got the same response from the same person. -nt

[Sheldon Cooper]

18. Victory!

Here is my follow-up email to Melissa:

Thank you for your response. Please advise your marketing team of the following: I spend between $75 - $100/ week at your store in (redacted). I will take my business directly across Rt. (redacted) to the Get Go until I hear from you regarding the decision of the Sheetz company. If you acknowledge the offensiveness of your ad and pull it from the air, I'll resume my business with Sheetz. If not, I'll make Get Go my permanent morning stop for gas, drinks, snacks, newspapers, etc. They have the same products as you do, so the only loser here will be Sheetz.

What now, Melissa?

And here is her response:

Dear (redacted),

I appreciate your concerns. I want to let you know that we have requested that all stations pull the ad this afternoon. I have also been told that due to how some stations do their scheduling they may not all be off the air until Thursday of this week. Certainly if you see one after Thursday, please don’t hesitate to let me know as we will act on it immediately.

Thank you for taking your time to contact us.

Melissa McKee

Senior Administrative Assistant

Brand Development Dept.

Sheetz, Inc.

[e-mail]

I will reply to Melissa to express my appreciation for her prompt and appropriate response. I would like to thank everyone is this thread who wrote to Sheetz to express their concern about that ad. I know it made a difference. It feels good to be able to get something so offensive removed from the airwaves.

[ismnotwasm]

19. That is very cool

Good work!

[seabeyond]

20. What now, Melissa?

bah hahahah

i LOVE it. i LOVE how you ended this. perfect.

well.... this is good to hear. and really appreciate you sharing it with all of us.

just perfect.

thanks.

our voice can be heard, if we are loud and SHRILL enough. lol

[Little Star]

21. Holy crap that was quick. Good work Sheldon. And for Melissa...

Job well done!

[MadrasT]

23. Awesome.