7 ms·
I much prefer the plain packaging because: - The anime picture is embarrassing to receive in the mail / at work. - The picture itself is kind of creepy, someo
by mrmondo 11y ago
I much prefer the plain packaging because:
- The anime picture is embarrassing to receive in the mail / at work.
- The picture itself is kind of creepy, someone walking past my desk once even described it as 'rapey'.
- I can reuse the box.
- I am not 6.
- Gigablah 11y ago"Rapey"? Are you serious? I'm just really having trouble wrapping my head around this. How does that picture convey anything close to "rapey"?
- mrmondo 11y agoUm... perhaps by sexualising a young girl?
- mc32 11y agoIn Japan you have 30 year olds (and older) who dress in that manner[1] and behave in that manner and speak in that manner. It's just different --so viewing it under a western lens probably introduces misinterpretation. [1]Just look into Rorita fasshon, etc.
- krapp 11y agoI believe they're talking about the art on the box, not the picture of the cosplay girl holding it.
- viraptor 11y agoHonest question - what do you see as sexualising in that picture? (I'm not going to question the young girl part, but I think that depends on culture / drawing style / reception)
- PeCaN 11y agoI believe that's a picture of two happy people sharing a box of candy. I think you're looking a bit too deep into this one.
- underwater 11y agoTwo (seemingly young) girls, one of who is winking at the recipient? Plus this: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=candy http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=candy
- vacri 11y agoI never got a rapey vibe from my grandmother when she winked at me while sneaking me a bit of candy out of my mother's eyeline. Maybe I'm the weird one here?
- krapp 11y ago>Plus this: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=candy http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=candy It's a box of candy. It's not a metaphor for sex, it literally contains candy.
- morgante 11y agoI don't agree with the connotation, but unfortunately there are negative associations in American culture with older white men who are into anime or other Japanese cultural artifacts.
- mahranch 11y agoSure, there's a certain stigma attached to anyone who enjoys Japanese culture -- older white men included. But even then, one of the words that pop into my mind when thinking about said stigma isn't rape. It's weeaboo, nerd, otaku, geek, parents basement, neckbeard, etc etc etc.... I say that as someone who enjoys japanese culture from time to time myself. Not anime, but j-dramas, movies and their music. Especially their music. It reminds me of how music was here in the 90s (not as manufactured, still a lot of experimenting going on, etc).
- bemmu 11y agoThose are great points. I'm actually hoping to be convinced that I should stop using the new box, because it costs more. Maybe I should start calling this the plain vs. rapey test.
- jtreminio 11y ago> - The picture itself is kind of creepy, someone walking past my desk once even described it as 'rapey'. This person may have some deeper issues than just the innocent picture on this box.
- mc32 11y agoIt depends on the audience. Someone who admires Japanese culture will likely not have the same reaction as someone with little exposure to Japanese culture. The picture is not even on the same planet as 'rapey' Whoever that was either said it to get a rise or they have some distinct issues. One solution, perhaps, is avail both packaging options to buyers. The typeface and font, I think, could be improved. It kind of looks like an afterthought. I don't see "branding". It's not Lobster or Comic Sans... but...
- morgante 11y ago> It depends on the audience. One problem is that even if the person receiving the box is exposed to Japanese culture, their coworkers probably aren't.
- deleted 11y ago[deleted]
- mc32 11y agoSo I think the main issue is how the buyer might perceive the packaging. If a coworker has issues... I think the coworker has issues. It's like someone finding Barbie offensive (for other than body image issues). I can't see it. Are these people who whisper and shuffle when they buy condoms or feminine products at the checkout counter? Do they wrap their wine or beer in brown bags? It's hard to imagine this person.
- morgante 11y agoHumans are social animals. When I buy things, I absolutely consider how that purchase will look to other people. it's one of the primary reasons why brands have value. You might not like that the world works that way, but as a business it's wise to not deny reality.
- mc32 11y agoRight, but this nettlesome coworker you imagine is, I can only imagine, the lone outsider who can possibly find offense in the packaging. I think most would be like, hey, what's that? Oh, candy from _Japan_? Can I try one> Wow, Oishi!
- vacri 11y agoRapey? A cartoon person giving a box of candy to another cartoon person, no touching, both fully clothed, both smilingly happy? I think you're projecting your own issues quite considerably.
- iumtuip2001 11y agoThe "someone" who described that picture as "rapey" has some deep issues.
- mrmondo 11y agoPerhaps, but it's not a huge jump from creepy given how hyper sexualised girls are in modern society coupled with perhaps some good intentioned coworker humour but at the end of the day I'm paying for the interesting candy, not for cartoons of young girls and I find that weird regardless.