There’s a Honda car commercial currently running that takes a swipe at marriage. Familiar with it? If not, here it is:
Is anyone else bothered by the suggestion that someone can’t do things such as learn to play the drums or shoot a short film after getting married? Once you get married, I guess you’re supposed to sit on your butt all day or dote on your partner.
I get what Honda is doing: They’re playing off the old fear that marriage is suffocating. Now, I know a lot of people whose relationships were fine until they got married, but the union never stopped them from doing things for themselves. According to Honda, married people can’t live life to the fullest. Or worse, share dreams and aspirations with another person
The other Honda commercial, the one where the actor says they have so much to do before having a baby, that one makes more sense. Bringing a third party into your party takes more planning and consideration.
Still, a baby (or anyone) should not stop you from living the life you want to live. As long as you’re not purposely hurting others, do what ever you want to do, labeled or saddled.
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Hi Jason!!
I’m so glad you addressed this commercial! I have two notes!
a) The actress in this commercial is actually a friend of mine. We are high school buddies and were very good friends in theater for four years. It’s a huge success for her! I mean it might as well be a Sara commercial and not a Honda commercial. She did a great job but I won’t let her forget that I beat her out for a part in The Diviners freshman year 😉
b) I absolutely agree with your take on this commercial. As a young woman, the exact age of the actress, it’s insulting. Marriage should be a valued goal! However, for my generation, this message is right on track. It’s striking the hearts of millions of 20-something single ladies seeking independence from the social norm.
Another commercial in this vein – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE4bcq8Plzk
Totally might blog about this now… thanks Jason!
Completely agree. Although, it’s not Honda’s fault that a lot of people are like this. It’s their job to sell vehicles, not lecture people HOW to live life to the fullest, only that they should. And in a Honda. But yeah, I’m with you.
This commercial fits the mindset of many young(er) people. That’s what it’s supposed to do.
That said, I’d love such a commercial:
GUY: “Will you marry me?”
CHICK: “But I want a new Honda SUV, first!”
GUY: “You know what? Fuck marriage, let’s just get a car!”
And your friend is totally hot. Just sayin’.
I would like to state that I too went to High School with the actress and also dated her (twice!) So for me, this is absolute win.
As someone who’s about to get married I can say that yes, the stuff you can do once you get married and get a grown up job (rather than say, actress, bandmember and the jobs she cites, all of which don’t have hours that run from 8am to 6pm) does diminish.
It’s not so much about marriage, but about growing up. Honda wants to be seen as youthful and simply chose a poor milestone to exemplify that.
Marriage in America is breaking down. This commercial only feeds into the fears and mindsets which contribute to that. Why not do these things together? Why should the guy in the commercial have to wait for the girl to finish her wish list before getting married? Wouldn’t she want to marry someone who would support her in those endeavors — maybe even join in?
It’s ridiculous to say “It’s not Honda’s fault people are like this.” That’s not the point — the point is that by catering to them by supporting their mistaken beliefs, you only perpetuate that line of thinking. The message is not right on track.
That some of the repliers know her is completely irrelevant. Give your kudos straight to her because it only distracts from the issue here.