We’re not sure whether this advert for people who might seek compensation for noise-related hearing loss is the best way for a firm of solicitors to gain more business.
First, by showing a bar man speaking to a deaf customer by LOUD SPEAKER, it doesn’t exactly approach the subject of deafness with any sensitivity.
Second, it doesn’t have any subtitles (at least not in this online version) so that deaf customers can actually understand it…
Offensive or not? Tell us what you think below.
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Nat
May 22, 2014
Not sure, it makes a solid point, as for offensive, no, disrespectful yes.
queby
May 22, 2014
Shows the usual assumption that all deaf people require more volume. Not always true. Not having subtitles is the biggest problem.
Andy, not him, me.
May 22, 2014
I think we should stop being such bleeding hearts and just accept it as funny.
After all John Smith takes the mickey out of deafness all the time and I seem to remember there was a teletext page called No Need To Shout. The advert is clearly making a point that increasing levels of volume were needed to get through to the guy.
Lack of subtitles is definitely a shot in the foot. It’s MEANT to appeal to people with acquired hearing loss. Duh!
On the whole a witty approach to a sensitive subject.
SASHA THORPE
May 22, 2014
I find it offensive….
Kevin
May 22, 2014
Hearing ppl so stuiped and they don’t image what it like been deaf.
Dan Schwartz
May 22, 2014
This is no different than the humorous SpecSavers ads. Relax and enjoy!
That Being Said, it’s Not Cool that the video lacks captions, especially since it’s so easy to add them on YouTube.
madcapy
May 22, 2014
I’ve just clicked the ‘watch on youtube’ button and there are captions. Saying that I wouldn’t bother, they are terrible. The words, ‘Here’s John, evening John, what are you drinking tonight?’ was transcribed to, ‘i these jump high jump quit drinking tonight? We then have, ‘what are you drinking tonight? showing as, ‘Not utilised doll?’ Also for, ‘With awards up to £11,400…’ it is, ‘With walls up to £11,400.’ Totally different meaning for the last; the first two, totally bizarre and crazy.
Editor
May 22, 2014
They’re automatic captions, which you can get on any YouTube video (and are notoriously full of errors!). Ed
E
May 22, 2014
Oh boo hoo, the world is so incredibly sensitive to anything these days. I actually find it quite entertaining, myself!
LadyDeerHeart
May 23, 2014
E glad you find deafness a sensitive subject in that it’s obvious you don’t have a deaf child. I’m sure if it had been a commercial about a selfish moron you would have been offended since that’s closer to home for you.
Asher W-W (@Asher_The_Blur)
May 22, 2014
If we get to laugh at other minorities related jokes then we got to learn how to poke fun at ourselves and allow other people to do so providing it is being tastefully done.
There was a similar outrage when Michael McIntyre mocked sign language interpreters by imitating their sign language which was ironic as Michael was actually making fun of the fact hearing people can’t understand sign language and how interpreters could take advantage of this such as discrediting a political candidate speech by pointing out faults with his policies!
Oh Dear
May 22, 2014
The old guy wasn’t a deaf customer, it was a customer who lost a bit of hearing due to work environment.
Chill out, it’s only an advert.
Cathy Alexander
May 23, 2014
I don’t find this offensive, it is rather funny: firstly it shows that someone is either deaf or ignoring instructions, secondly, it shows a sense of humour, as John Smith, would no doubt take advantage of!! It is a shame if anyone is offended, as it more or less demonstrates that the person has either misread the irony in the tale or takes their deafness too seriously. We should all learn to laugh at ourselves, it is good for the soul!
LadyDeerHeart
May 23, 2014
“Takes their deafness too seriously”. Are you kidding me?