Poor taste: "NOOK Honours Remembrance Week" - Page 3

Xanthe · 11-03-2013, 05:24 PM

Veterans Day is just another reason for the stores to have sales here in the US. For most companies, even though it is a Federal holiday, it's not a day that they give their employees off (the ones that even acknowledge it allow it to be some sort of "floating" holiday that the employee can use whenever they want).

Other than people who are interested in history, no one remembers that WWI was the reason for Armistice Day. They even changed the name of the day to "Veterans Day" so most folks would know what it was about, and to broaden it to include the veterans of other wars (probably so that they wouldn't have to create separate remembrance days (and Federal holidays) for the veterans of subsequent wars, IMO).

I have no objection whatsoever to the booksellers honoring the holiday. Sure, they're going to make some money off of it, but at least it's going to bring to mind the reason for the holiday and the fact of existence. People are switching from Halloween to Thanksgiving mode right now; few pay attention to Veterans Day unless they or a family member actually served. And for a lot of us, we don't have any family connection to the military so we need to trip over something that'll crack open our self-absorption and remind us of sacrifices that others have made.

BelleZora · 11-03-2013, 05:28 PM

I don't attribute the desire to profit from Remembrance, Veterans, and Memorial Days as a bookseller's only motive for remembering those days and so I am not offended.

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silverraven · 11-03-2013, 05:43 PM

Personally, I celebrate All Saints' Day every year on November 1st. Of course that's my birthday, but I definitely celebrate on that day!!

S

glnnjnsn · 11-03-2013, 07:22 PM

Upon reading the description you provided, my first reaction was that it sounded no different from any other holiday/event/seasonal promotion I receive:

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, we are offering a sale on books by Irish authors...
In honor of the 75th anniversary of Orson Welles' famous broadcast, we are offering H.G. Well's 'War of the Worlds' for free...
In honor of Election Day, we are offering a sale on political thrillers...

The only thing I find in poor taste is the overuse of the phrase "in honor of".

While the promotions are by their very nature nearly always commercialistic, that is not to say they aren't potentially capable of also actually honoring their intended subjects. If they promote people taking the time and money to read and become more informed about the Battle of Gallipoli, for example, are they not also honoring the same ideals as those promoted through setting aside a Armistice/Veterans/Remembrance/Memorial Day? OTOH, such promotions don't tend to make me feel any better about the sponsor company either.

meeera · 11-03-2013, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeccaPrice

All Hallow's Eve was celebrated as Samhain long before the Christians got a hold of it. Trick or treating is actually a fairly modern custom (dates from the 50s, according to one article I read), but dressing up and making vegetables into lanterns is really quite old.

Maybe trick or treating, with that name and in its exact current form in the USA, dates from the mid twentieth century. However, visiting houses for edible treats on All Souls' Day (souling) is medieval, and ritual begging (Pão-por-Deus) was established in Portgual by the 1400s.

ShellShock · 11-04-2013, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarana

Libraries regularly do this, but because it is a BOOKSELLER you object? The sacrifices made by the general population during the two World Wars were significant. How else would they discover what happened? What other sources would you suggest other than History Channel (assuming the household HAS History Channel, which is NOT free)?

We have similar events in the US during Memorial Day and Veterans' Day. Before the Internet, bookstores set out books in the front window that were related to the event. Sending you an email is no different, just a different store window.

Libraries do not make any profit. Bookstores (in the UK at least) will often sell poppies so you can make a donation to charities that support ex-service personnel.

I appreciate the educational need, but I wish B&N were a bit more respectful, with better choice of language: if they did not claim to be "honouring Remembrance Week", or if they donated some of their profits from this promotion to the service charities, then I would not have any objections.

Catlady · 11-04-2013, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShellShock

Libraries do not make any profit. Bookstores (in the UK at least) will often sell poppies so you can make a donation to charities that support ex-service personnel.

I appreciate the educational need, but I wish B&N were a bit more respectful, with better choice of language: if they did not claim to be "honouring Remembrance Week", or if they donated some of their profits from this promotion to the service charities, then I would not have any objections.

Sorry, but I get the feeling that if they had ignored the week entirely, you'd be griping about that.

Rizla · 11-06-2013, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catlady

Sorry, but I get the feeling that if they had ignored the week entirely, you'd be griping about that.

I totally disagree. I guess you don't connect with the spirit of Remembrance Day.

DiapDealer · 11-06-2013, 08:39 AM

People need to realize that their ideas of "taste" (poor or good) are not objective in any way. You seek to define for others, that which you are only qualified to define for yourself.

llcj · 11-06-2013, 09:17 AM

I think this thread shows that there is a real cultural difference at work here. Like it or not, the culture we live in helps informs our 'taste'.

Tony1988 · 11-06-2013, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShellShock

Libraries do not make any profit. Bookstores (in the UK at least) will often sell poppies so you can make a donation to charities that support ex-service personnel.

I appreciate the educational need, but I wish B&N were a bit more respectful, with better choice of language: if they did not claim to be "honouring Remembrance Week", or if they donated some of their profits from this promotion to the service charities, then I would not have any objections.

I personally feel you are being a bit over sensitive. I dont think bn did anything wrong here.

avantman42 · 11-06-2013, 02:29 PM

At the risk of being off-topic, I'm confused by the term "Remembrance Week". I've never seen or heard mention of it before.

Catlady · 11-06-2013, 07:12 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Catlady
Sorry, but I get the feeling that if they had ignored the week entirely, you'd be griping about that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rizla

I totally disagree. I guess you don't connect with the spirit of Remembrance Day.

Seems to me it's designed to encourage people to remember the sacrifices that have been made in the name of freedom. I think reading about those sacrifices is an excellent way to do that, and a bookstore pointing out pertinent books seems helpful, not distasteful.

HarryT · 11-07-2013, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avantman42

At the risk of being off-topic, I'm confused by the term "Remembrance Week". I've never seen or heard mention of it before.

It's the week leading up to Remembrance Sunday.

avantman42 · 11-07-2013, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It's the week leading up to Remembrance Sunday.

I have no idea how I've managed to avoid hearing the term before now. Still, you live and learn. Thanks, Harry.

11-03-2013, 05:28 PM	#32
BelleZora Wizard Posts: 1,442 Karma: 25151986 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Seattle, US Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Kobo Libra 2, Pocketbook Verse Pro Color	I don't attribute the desire to profit from Remembrance, Veterans, and Memorial Days as a bookseller's only motive for remembering those days and so I am not offended. Last edited by BelleZora; 11-03-2013 at 05:50 PM.

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11-03-2013, 05:24 PM	#31
Xanthe Plan B Is Now In Force Posts: 1,894 Karma: 8086979 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Surebleak Device: Aluratek,Sony 350/T1,Pandigital,eBM 911,Nook HD/HD+,Fire HDX 7/8.9,PW2	Veterans Day is just another reason for the stores to have sales here in the US. For most companies, even though it is a Federal holiday, it's not a day that they give their employees off (the ones that even acknowledge it allow it to be some sort of "floating" holiday that the employee can use whenever they want). Other than people who are interested in history, no one remembers that WWI was the reason for Armistice Day. They even changed the name of the day to "Veterans Day" so most folks would know what it was about, and to broaden it to include the veterans of other wars (probably so that they wouldn't have to create separate remembrance days (and Federal holidays) for the veterans of subsequent wars, IMO). I have no objection whatsoever to the booksellers honoring the holiday. Sure, they're going to make some money off of it, but at least it's going to bring to mind the reason for the holiday and the fact of existence. People are switching from Halloween to Thanksgiving mode right now; few pay attention to Veterans Day unless they or a family member actually served. And for a lot of us, we don't have any family connection to the military so we need to trip over something that'll crack open our self-absorption and remind us of sacrifices that others have made.

11-03-2013, 05:43 PM	#33
silverraven Guru Posts: 970 Karma: 3438612 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle 4NTB x 4	Personally, I celebrate All Saints' Day every year on November 1st. Of course that's my birthday, but I definitely celebrate on that day!! S

11-03-2013, 07:22 PM	#34
glnnjnsn Enthusiast Posts: 35 Karma: 505678 Join Date: Mar 2013 Device: Nexus 7, Nook Simple Touch	Upon reading the description you provided, my first reaction was that it sounded no different from any other holiday/event/seasonal promotion I receive: In honor of St. Patrick's Day, we are offering a sale on books by Irish authors... In honor of the 75th anniversary of Orson Welles' famous broadcast, we are offering H.G. Well's 'War of the Worlds' for free... In honor of Election Day, we are offering a sale on political thrillers... The only thing I find in poor taste is the overuse of the phrase "in honor of". While the promotions are by their very nature nearly always commercialistic, that is not to say they aren't potentially capable of also actually honoring their intended subjects. If they promote people taking the time and money to read and become more informed about the Battle of Gallipoli, for example, are they not also honoring the same ideals as those promoted through setting aside a Armistice/Veterans/Remembrance/Memorial Day? OTOH, such promotions don't tend to make me feel any better about the sponsor company either.

11-06-2013, 08:39 AM	#39
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,585 Karma: 204624552 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	People need to realize that their ideas of "taste" (poor or good) are not objective in any way. You seek to define for others, that which you are only qualified to define for yourself.

11-06-2013, 09:17 AM	#40
llcj Addict Posts: 250 Karma: 883854 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Canada Device: kobo touch	I think this thread shows that there is a real cultural difference at work here. Like it or not, the culture we live in helps informs our 'taste'.

11-06-2013, 02:29 PM	#42
avantman42 Wizard Posts: 1,090 Karma: 6058305 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: UK Device: Kindle Paperwhite	At the risk of being off-topic, I'm confused by the term "Remembrance Week". I've never seen or heard mention of it before.

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