you really CAN be too thin
Jezebel recently published the ad from the makers of Pretzel Crisps and people are outraged.
At first I couldn’t put my finger on why this ad bothered me so much. I don’t get worked up about anorexic runway models, or photoshopped magazine images, and yet this ad really got under my skin. Maybe because it’s so blatant. Images of thin models may subconsciously set the standard that thinness should be coveted, but this ad actually spells it out: You can never be too thin. In other words: You will always be too fat.
The ad is a play on the phrase “You can never be too rich or too thin” which is no longer a credo reserved for the affluent socialites and seen as tongue-in-cheek by the masses. No, this maxim has become as fundamental to the American dream as the white picket fence. And the American dream is turning into a nightmare of depression, debt, and negative body image.
This advertisement further perpetuates the notion that thinness equates to beauty. But when you see images like this:
or like this:
. . .you realize, yes, you really CAN be too thin.
One Jezebel reader commented on the ad’s maxim saying:
Yeah, I tried telling that to my treatment team, as they forced the feeding tube up my nose and down my throat. My anorexic-self wouldn’t have made it past my 21st birthday, according to my physician. Fuck you, pretzel company.
Societal pressures to be skinny, propagated by such advertisements, are forcing women into a damaging relationship with their food and their body. True, not all women are driven to extremes of anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, or binge exercising, but many women have negative self image that is, in itself, physically and psychologically destructive.
Things need to change. It’s about time we talk about beauty. It’s about time we talk about health. It’s about time we talk about being joyful. Let’s empower ourselves and change the mantra “You can never be too rich or too thin” to
You can never be too happy or too healthy
After backlash from the media, the insensitive assholes people of Pretzel Crisps changed their advertisement to this:
Apparently, we have got a hell of a lot of work to do.
If this ad pisses you off too, you can e-mail the people of Pretzel Crisps at info@pretzelcrisps.com and tell them what you really think.
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- e-mail: samanthaamenzies@gmail.com
- Samantha Menzies is an opinionated young firecracker who just happens to enjoy distracting web surfers with chronicles of her mildly entertaining daily pursuits.
I can’t get over that ad. It’s too much. It’s also pathetic — considering all of the amazing feats humanity has accomplished, that’s what we focus on?? Weight? Really? The capacity for weight gain would’ve, at one point, ensured our survival. Bodies should be loved for what they can do, not for how they look.
I also really loved this: “And the American dream is turning into a nightmare of depression, debt, and negative body image.” It’s so true. The 2.5 kids, the house in the suburbs, the white picket fence — it’s sad that no one ever realized that those things were a symbol of security and community in America, and that having it all really means belonging.
that is sad…..must of been a man that designed that ad
I don’t know – very interesting topic here! – first I didn’t see the big deal about the “never too thin” either…why? because I was just thinking about the pretzels!!
Honestly, I think we are overly sensitive at times – we read into these things too much – and it is our own insecurities…
I highly doubt Pretzel Chips wants us to look and be anorexics with bones…why do we always jump too extremes?? People on TV shows call eachother fat…I don’t know, it’s weird…
…you got me wanting pretzels now though
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Samantha Menzies, Samantha Menzies. Samantha Menzies said: New Post:: you really CAN be too thin http://gamereviewwiki.com/bikinibirthday/2010/08/13/pretzelcrispad/ [...]
Oh. My. Goodness. I had no idea that ad even existed, but I am disgusted. I can’t believe that company got all the way to actually posting this ad. Why didn’t anyone try to stop them? Good grief. I think your phrase, “You can never be too happy or too healthy”, is a winner, for sure.
thank you for ending your post with “you can never be too happy or healthy.” That ad is off. And Im surprised they felt confident in releasing that–marketing ads aren’t cheap and this money was not well spent!
Wow, how did I miss this? This is just INSANE. How is this OK?!
wow, that really bothers me too. Why would they even adverstise it like that? I hate the focus. I know its just a pretzel but come on, don’t they know how messed up our society is with health/diet.
That advertisement is disgusting…
I think the ad agency representing them completely miscalculated–that’s just not going to fly.
WTF!!! this is SAD! so incredibly SAD
(shakes fist at the sky and yells *what have we come to!??*)
I took a picture of that ad when I was in NYC, but never got to posting it. I wasn’t outraged or anything, because I doubt that the ad will force girls to start starving themselves…but it definitely bugged me, because of their blatant use of an Anorexia slogan, just to gain publicity. It’s such flippant disrespect to a lot of people who are suffering from a REAL disease, a serious one, of which they are making light. Just annoys me.
It seems like so many companies are really pushing the envelope with this type of advertising. It seems like they really do not care about the damage they are causing to our society.
hey! i just wanted to give you the heads up that Ill be posting the bread recipe NEXT week. THe pics dont show up the way I uploaded them, so when I get back from vacation Ill upload them the “right way.” just FYI! Enjoy your week!
What?!I can’t believe there really are ads like that!!!
Oh wow, that’s insanely crazy!! I mean, I get the idea they’re trying to market around, but it’s insane. It really is.
[...] found this after perusing blogs, which led me to this post, which led me to Jezebel (see [...]
My God, I cringed when I scrolled past these ads just now. Scary! That image will stay with me all day.
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Interesting topic! I’m not sure it upsets me that much, but I am 25 and feel like a pretty self-confident person. I’d imagine the ad can have different effects on different people and the company certainly should have thought of the potential implications before giving it the go-ahead…
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