Mexico Protests Burger King WHOPPER Insult
In today’s world, this ethnic type of humor won’t fly……
Mexico is protesting what it says is a whopper of an insult.
An advertisement for Burger King’s chili-flavored “Texican” burger that has run in Europe shows a small wrestler dressed in a cape resembling a Mexican flag. The wrestler teams up with a lanky American cowboy twice his height to illustrate the cross-border blend of flavors.
“The taste of Texas with a little spicy Mexican,” a narrator’s voice says.
The much-taller cowboy boosts the wrestler up to reach high shelves and clean tall windows, while the Mexican helps the cowboy open a jar.
Mexico’s ambassador to Spain said Monday he has written a letter to Burger King’s offices in that nation objecting to the ad and asking that it be removed. Jorge Zermeno told Radio Formula that the ads “improperly use the stereotyped image of a Mexican.”
Press officials at Burger King Corp. offices in Miami, Florida, and Madrid, Spain, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Burger King is known for its signature Whopper hamburger.
One of the things that most angered Mexican officials was a print edition of the ad showing the wrestler wearing what appear to be a Mexican flag as a cloak.
“We have to tell these people that in Mexico we have a great deal of respect for our flag,” Zermeno said.
How long will the ad remain…….3…..2……1……….?
Technorati Tags: Mexico, Burger King
8 Comments
John
I don’t think Burger meant for this ad to be derogatory. Although I can see why Mexico wouldn’t like it. But, is this really protest worthy?
Ling
Don’t think it really matters now whether or not they meant it to be insulting. From now on, you won’t see any Mexican ‘stereotypes’ on TV. Burger ad’s a big hit on Youtube, but it comes at a big cost.
Lyn
Mexico was right to protest. After all look at all the things they’ve accomplished. Mexico has ended poverty in its country, and they ended corruption, and they ended illegal drugs and arms traffic – both ways – at Mexico-US boder, and and…Well maybe not.
I think Mexico should fix its real problems. The rest of the world already has a negative opinion of Mexico; this BK ad was nothing compared to how really pathetic their country is.
magdalena
creo que el enojo consiste en usar un simbolo patrio como es la bandera que ante todo se merece RESPETO no solo por ser de mexico si no la de cualquier pais. todos son dignos de respeto.
Diego
I personally love the ad, and I’m Mexican. I think all the fuzz is about how the designers chose a more literal reference of a Mexican and had to include the Mexican crest on his wardrobe (only in the poster, the TV ad is just great), which is protected under our constitution. Remember that “In an absolut world” ad and controversy? The U.S. stepped in, and got absolut not to run it. I think, its good to have sense of humor with these things.
As for Mexico being pathetic, Lyn, I’m sorry you feel that way. We’re dealing with all the issues upfront now, instead of blanketing them, as we had done in recent decades. The U.S. has major problems too, weather you’re aware of them or not. Also, in these times of crisis its easy to see that one country’s problems (especially in America) are every country’s problems.
M Roescher
People are starving, war in 3 countries, economy in collapse,………. yes BRILLIANT lets wine about an ad about Burger King ! Instead of insult…consider it a compliment. It could have been a small guy from France mixing with a Texan and they would have called it the Texan Crap Burger. Lack of focus on important issues leads to demise. Mexico should focus on improving its economy so American’s would want to illegally immigrate there.
R. Basheri
Maybe Mexico’s whining little protest about their great love for their flag rings rather hollow considering how many of their rabble sneak across the border and run the crime rate of American cities through the roof.
If, as a country, they had any self-respect, they’d keep their drug dealers, murderers and street gangs home and deal with their own appalling social problems instead of contributing to ours.
Of course that would take a government and police force that wasn’t 100% corrupt, so that lets them out.
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