View Full Version : Offensive couch label traced to China
By CHARMAINE NORONHA, Associated Press Writer Thu Apr 19, 2:57 PM ET
TORONTO - Doris Moore was shocked when her new couch was delivered to her home with a label that used a racial slur to describe the dark brown shade of the upholstery.
The situation was even more alarming for Moore because it was her 7-year-old daughter who pointed out "n----- brown" on the tag.:noway
More... (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070419/ap_on_re_ca/canada_couch_racial_slur)
gr8mommy
04-19-2007, 04:23 PM
While I can totally understand her shock and being upset, I think she's overreacting. Why did she have to explain it to her daughter, couldn't she just have said 'that isn't a real word?' Does there really need to be a lawsuit, or is this just an easy way to try and get a few bucks? Can't she just be satisfied that they'll update the software, and no one else will suffer receiving the same tag?
Jejune
04-19-2007, 04:26 PM
Good lord! That's really bizarre and awful.
Danielle
04-19-2007, 04:30 PM
I think it was a simple translation error... an unfortunate one but an error none the less. Should someone have noticed? Maybe, but I'm sure that is someone HAD noticed it never would have gotten to the consumer. This was obviously a case of a lot of people for whom English is not their first language not understanding the meaning of a word.
Danielle
04-19-2007, 04:32 PM
Why did she have to explain it to her daughter, couldn't she just have said 'that isn't a real word?'
While I agree that this was a slight overreaction, I disagree that she should lie to her daughter about the word. Unfortunately, that's a VERY real word.
wendygrace
04-19-2007, 04:49 PM
IMHO, she overreacted. Glad its being taken care of by the wholesaler. Odd that hers is the only one though. I wonder how that happened?
I think she is taking it a bit too far over a genuine mistake. I can imagine though it would have been a very bizarre feeling to see that on the label. I also agree with Danielle. Since it is a very real word, it would be better to use that as a teaching moment than to deny the word's existence.
ITA with Jo. There doesn't seem to be any doubt that this was a genuine mistake. I can see why it would be upsetting, and the company should make sure no more couches with these tags go out, but I don't think compensation is needed over a mistake like this. I can't honestly believe that her family has been that emotionally traumatized by a poorly-translated couch tag, no matter how offensive the word was.
Casey
04-19-2007, 07:37 PM
wow that is wild and an over reaction!
I can't honestly believe that her family has been that emotionally traumatized by a poorly-translated couch tag, no matter how offensive the word was.
ITA - and if the kids are it is becuase of how the parents acted, not becuase of the tag!
Like Lori points out she has every right to be offended and certainly every right to complain to ensure it is changed but a lawsuit claiming her family were traumatised? It kind of opens the door for anyone to sue anyone who they deem as responsible for exposing their children to offensive derrogatory terms.
To me it seems sad- without legal action it would have made a point as a woman rightly being offended and wanting action to change software descriptions for the sensibilities of all but with the legal action it's only going to be construed by many as someone money grabbing.
(and have to mention if my family refused to sit on my couch i'd find that more offensive than any writen description of it as it's really pointless, yes it would make a point not buying from them or not recommending them but not sitting on one already bought seems very pointless and cutting ones nose off to spite ones own face)
Danielle
04-20-2007, 05:48 AM
By the way... this happened very near to where I live and we recently bought a brown leather couch. Dh was complaining that we didn't get the "special" leabel- what a dork LOL.
gr8mommy
04-20-2007, 06:27 AM
I think she is taking it a bit too far over a genuine mistake. I can imagine though it would have been a very bizarre feeling to see that on the label. I also agree with Danielle. Since it is a very real word, it would be better to use that as a teaching moment than to deny the word's existence.
Agreed, but since that article made it seem that she hadn't wanted her daughter exposed to it, she could have either denied it or said it is a very mean word and we don't use it. Seems to me she's the one that 'traumatized' her own child. Explained in a calm and matter of fact way, I don't think it would be traumatic. Upsetting? Sure. I think it more likely that the girl would have been confused.
Desirae
04-20-2007, 12:43 PM
Wow that is bizarre! I completely agree with you all that she over reacted. I highly doubt the family is "traumatized" by this. :rolleyes
Jejune
04-20-2007, 12:48 PM
Since my original response was to the translation, I'll add that I think a lawsuit is silly and out of line. I think she should have explained the word to her daughter, but you can do such a thing in a calm, reasoned manner. Gabriel first learned he was Hispanic when he heard a rant on the radio during the news by a fellow who was opposed to well...it sounded like he was just opposed to Hispanics, frankly. It wasn't pleasant explaining all of that to Gabriel, but I did, and he got it. I found the man's remarks offensive, but the fact that he said them was just a part of life. This was a genuine, if really awful mistake on the part of the company, and the lady seems to be going waaaay too far in her response.