Worst taste ever?

I was snoozing quietly in front of television last night when this hopping mad email from my miracle worker, Felicity, exploded into my inbox!

“Maybe I’m just being a little bit precious, but I have to say that when I saw a variation of this in a shop window today, I was gobsmacked. Rates of self harm amongst teens, particularly girls cutting themselves, have rocketed in recent years, and I personally felt rather sick in the stomach looking at that screaming tagline coupled with the photo of a teenage girl who appears to have a bloodied inner wrist. Why would anyone think this is a good promotion?? Particularly given it’s Ozmosis, very much a brand for teens and young adults.”

Now given that Felicity is the mum of a couple of teenagers and comes into contact with lots of similar kids and young adults I can understand her wrath… rewards for pain aren’t to be encouraged (unless they are a valour medal).

Perhaps “Show us your sports scars!” would have been a better approach.

You will understand what the advertiser was trying to do if you read the explanation in AdAge headlined This Aussie Surf and Skate Store Will Let You Pay Using Your Injury.