h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I think those ads are a deliberate jibe at Abbey, Roymondo. Their call centre is in India and closes at 11pm (UK time). You'll notice the clock in the background is just past 11, and the scene is shot at night.

RF

RF

Ah, I didn't notice that. So, rather than route calls to a dedicated call centre they'd rather waste money routing calls to the staff in an already over-stretched local branch?

Interesting angle.

Yes. But they don't talk to you in an educated Indian accent.

And when did you last call your bank after 11pm? And have anything meaningful to ask them, I hasten to add!

It is a bit odd, though. India is 6 hours ahead of the UK, so they're still employing people up to 5am...why not just carry on through the night?

RF

That's a good point.

I don't think I've ever called my bank after 11.00, even when in the midst of a drunken 'cripes, I wish I had another ton on the overdraught' moment.

So, much like the Lloyds TSB advert, they're highlighting a problem with other banks which, with a little thought, turns out to completely irrelevant.

Now I'm waiting for the Barclays advert that goes "why would you want to bank with a bank that's not turquoise? We're the first and only bank to be turquoise!"...it makes about the same amount of sense.

RF

You might never have needed to call the bank at that time of night, but one of the major problems shift workers have is that all services have gone to bed long after they finish work.
Say you do a two ten shift, it's quite reasonable to want to sort finacial stuff out after 11.

Turquoise Banks? What a fantastic idea!! Barclays, you say? Excellent!

Milla, I *WAS* joking!!!

I know. It was just such a terrible one...

>> Say you do a two ten shift, it's quite reasonable to want to sort finacial stuff out after 11. <<

...or before 2?

RF

<<>> Say you do a two ten shift, it's quite reasonable to want to sort finacial stuff out after 11. <<

...or before 2?>>

That's just stupid... everyone knows that the time leading up to goign to work when you do 2 til 10 shifts should be spent watching cartoons.

There´s an ad on for a product that comes in a dual package. One part is the noodles(I think) and on top of that is attached another package with some liquid in it. They show a guy preparing it for a date, while a voice over explains "Now you can make a delicious meal in just a few minutes". Him and the woman sit down and begin to eat, when the woman remarks "It doesn´t taste like anything!", and voiceover adds "If you remember to add the flavouring..." and show the package with the liquid still standing unopened on the kitchen counter. So basically what this commercials tells me is that this product is tasteless crap with added flavouring? I can´t wait to buy some.

Yeah, I don't get that one either... What's in it? Creme fraiche? How hard is it to make your own sauce with creme fraiche as a base?

Xan, how are things, I never caught up on you... feel like a micromeet soon?

It's all part of the laziness culture that has given us pre-mashed potatos and pre-sliced carrots... I made macaroni cheese from scratch (well, from flour, milk, butter, cheese and macaroni... ) t'other night and it was so much nicer than anything that comes in a packet.

Latest Morrison's ad.

The Finest Cheddar, the Best chutney, the Best SLiced Bloomer, the Best Cheese Sandwich...

Er... Hello, you're just going to give customers to M&S with that advert. I certainly thought it was an M&S advert the first time I saw it.
Go off and et your own advertising ideas - talk about a blatant rip off. Can advertising companies sue for plagiarism?

What's worse is the guy in the advert puts his 'best cheese sarnie' in his bag and then dumps a huge Thermos on top of it! I don't care how nice the sandwich is, he's going to have a big mess in the bottom of his bag come lunchtime.

Yes, that's true, I noticed that also

Speaking of cheese, there was a cornershop where among the cheeses they sold a small black package, with red letters on it saying "Extreme Cheddar".

I believe I've seen such cheese. I avoided it as I reckoned if it was *that* extreme they wouldn't have to shout about it: its reputation would precede it.