TV Comms needed to teach us how to behave?

Amoud
By Amoud

I put this in the general lounge as it didnt really fit anywhere else. Politics, religion and culture were about the closest but I dont want to give this issue a tag.

As I was driving to work this morning I saw a guy yelling at one of the street cleaners because he was cleaning in front of his car.. Ok.. fair enough the guy wanted to move and this guy was about to be run over... This made me flick back to the new commercials on MBC about how people are treating their maids and drivers and the general street laborers (If you havent seen it, it is heartbreaking).

It is spreading through the general population of Qatar. People are complaining about the 'smelly men' without considering perhaps these guys cant even afford to eat (have you noticed how skinny most of them are? This is not down to good genes). I see it everyday, people talking down to people they feel are inferior (mostly due to financial standing or nationality), treating the less fortunate as though they are sub-human. I particulary love the people who get here from their own country and instantly deem themselves as the upper crust and therefor feel they are justified in being rude sods to just about everyone who crosses their paths.

I find it sad that a television commercial has to remind us all how we need to behave. What I find even more sorrowing is that this is such a problem that it needs to be addressed this way.

By nadt• 19 Nov 2008 23:08
nadt

These adds are excellent and i believe will make a difference, even if its a small one.

The drink driving, domestic violence, speeding, smoking adds in Aus, showed a reduction of these offenses because people became aware of it and were forced to address the issue. Community awareness can never be a bad thing. Like tallg said, even if it helps change one persons view, its worth it.

By ngourlay• 19 Nov 2008 18:56
ngourlay

I understand completely what goes on, and so does everyone else. You only have to look at the poll on the front page of QL, or watch the recent Doha Debates to see that everyone knows how people are treated.

The problem is one of action, rather than recognition. Will MBC pay their tea-boys more, or would they prefer to run an advert blaming everyone else instead?

These publicity stunts are just that. Nothing will change.

By aboesam• 19 Nov 2008 18:28
aboesam

"ngourlay" .. i think this ads. is not silly at all ..

i don't know if u have a quite understanding of some people behavior here in this society and the way they deal the labors and maids .. etc ..

we always try to deny every issue that might expose us , ,

at least the ads. speaks up and shows some negatives pics in the society in order to let people re-think again in their daily behavior and to overtake all the complexes that leads to such cruel manner

By mjamille28• 19 Nov 2008 17:38
mjamille28

there's this one with a shattered phone lying on the road, all bloody and the caption says : the person you are calling is "no longer available"... i also liked the one ad regarding the use of seatbelt, especially with kids... i hope they do another one regarding not putting kids on the front seat of cars, because everyday i see people driving and their children seated up front, what's worse, i see them not wearing safety belts...it's sad...

By Amoud• 19 Nov 2008 17:34
Amoud

Like that "You are 4 times more likely to have an accident..."

Those radio ads make me hate my phone... super annoying but effective.

_______________________________________________________

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

By Amoud• 19 Nov 2008 17:30
Amoud

Believe it or not Qatar has made great progress in terms of Human Rights. It may seem insubstantial but I guess you would have had to been here 8-10 years ago to see the progress.

_______________________________________________________

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

By mjamille28• 19 Nov 2008 17:30
Rating: 4/5
mjamille28

the newspapers do it now lately,... i just saw one this morning about not using mobiles while driving, good one.

By tallg• 19 Nov 2008 17:28
tallg

I'm sure people were equally as cynical about the 'drink driving' and 'clunk click' adverts when they were on TV in the UK a couple of decades ago, but now it's hard to deny that they had an effect (that and the crack down by police - but that's a different matter).

By mjamille28• 19 Nov 2008 17:24
Rating: 4/5
mjamille28

yes you are right tallg,.. if they do manage to change one person, it is an accomplishment already, even if it was just one small step....

By tallg• 19 Nov 2008 17:21
Rating: 4/5
tallg

Even if they only make one person think about their actions and change the way they behave then they've done their job.

By mjamille28• 19 Nov 2008 17:07
mjamille28

this is sort of like a wake up call.. question is: will the ones concerned wake up? or maybe not.

By Amoud• 19 Nov 2008 17:02
Amoud

This type of commercial works wonders in the west. If people arent aware it is a problem how will anyone then make a difference?

_______________________________________________________

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

By mjamille28• 19 Nov 2008 16:50
Rating: 4/5
mjamille28

saw those commercials too, though i did not understand the language, i kinda understood what they're trying to impart...

By ngourlay• 19 Nov 2008 16:30
ngourlay

yes. do you think adverts telling people to be good make a difference?

or, do you think it's a CSR campaign to make the channel look good?

I suspect the latter

By Amoud• 19 Nov 2008 16:19
Amoud

I think maybe you missed the point, one advert shows a guy being merciless to his servants and then praying to God to have mercy on him. You may not know but it is a major human rights issue here in the GCC.

_______________________________________________________

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

By ngourlay• 19 Nov 2008 16:13
Rating: 2/5
ngourlay

these ones, I think:

I think it's pretty silly -- adverts asking people not to abuse maids, labourers. It's just vanity: someone decided they'd be extra-specially good by showing how bad everyone else is. Won't make a jot of difference.

Like asking people not to beat up their wives: some people will, some people won't, but the person asking the question looks whiter than white.

By rayyz• 19 Nov 2008 13:14
Rating: 3/5
rayyz

I don't get MBC. Could someone post a link from youtube or online elsewhere of the ad, if its available that is.

Tried looking up youtube, couldn't find anything related to this ad while searching for mbc ad content.

Really interesting to know that media is doing a good job in restoring humility in people. :)

----------------------

3000 QL Points

Way to go Ray!

----------------------

By Amoud• 19 Nov 2008 12:30
Amoud

These are showing on the MBC channels.... quite frequently I may add.

_______________________________________________________

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

By pArIzEh• 19 Nov 2008 12:13
pArIzEh

on what channels r these commercials showin ?

Its good 2 learn that media is playing some positive roles in 2days world !

bravo !

By britexpat• 19 Nov 2008 11:45
Rating: 3/5
britexpat

I saw one of a guy driving off in his expensive 4x4 and shouting at the maid and the house boy..

By Amoud• 19 Nov 2008 11:33
Amoud

Brit I have only seen 2 so far, in one a woman is yelling at the maid in front of her friends and the other is a guy yelling at his maid, refusing to pay the driver and yelling at an old man on the street. Are there more?

_______________________________________________________

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock - Will Rogers"

By britexpat• 19 Nov 2008 11:21
Rating: 5/5
britexpat

I saw the commercials and they are excellent.

I agree that its sad when "we" have to be reminded of such things, but hopefully, they will help open people's eyes and their hearts to the suffering of others.

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