Fast food chain Burger King published an ad in the Russian social network VK offering a substantial payout to local girls who fall pregnant from international soccer stars. As the reward the Russian brunch of Burger King offered 3 million rubles (USD 47,000) plus a lifetime supply of Whopper burgers. But then the fast food giant changed its mind. Users joked this could be because they calculated the funds and realized they would go broke.
3 million to get best soccer genes
“The girls who manage to get the best soccer genes will provide for success of the Russian team for generations ahead,” the post stated. How the paternity would be checked, the ad didn’t go into details.
“Go ahead! We believe in you!” the post called.
The ad caused a meltdown and harsh criticism and was quickly taken down. Burger King apologized for the statement on its VK page. The company stated that the offer was “too offensive”. The company added that they removed all materials, connected with the statement, but candid screenshots were taken.
The original offer by the network. Image: Screen grab.
Burger King’s apology for “offensive” statement. Image: Screenshot.
It’s not the first time the fast food chain is making provocative statements in its social network advertising, trying to capitalize on popular topics, however grim, and score some viral promotion.
We get it, it’s a joke
This time the network obviously jumped on the bandwagon after the backlash regarding a controversial statement made by the Russian lawmaker Tamara Pletnyova who advised Russian women to avoid having sexual relations with foreign men who came to support their teams during FIFA World Soccer Cup 2018. Pletnyova argued that women could fall pregnant and left to bring up the child alone, or worse, leave Russia, which in her view also would not be a positive thing for the country. She was dead serious about it, by the way.
Some VK users realized that Burger King’s offer was a joke to make fun about Pletnyova’s statement.
Danya Zhernenko commented, “Does it seem like poking fun about one lawmaker who said that girls should not have contacts with foreigners, or they will fall pregnant and it will be a serious threat to our nation?”
Other users continued the joke, “My friend asks about the promotion, is it finished? What should she do if she is already pregnant?”
Male users asked for a promo offer for men, who are unable to fall pregnant but would like to contribute to Russia’s greatness in soccer.
Other users suggested the reason why the fast food giant pulled the offer was because they would go broke paying out the money to willing fans. And you say that Russians don’t have a sense of humour?
By the way, if you think no one would take it for real, you are wrong. In Ukraine a mobile phone company offered to give a free iPhone 7 to people who officially change their names to “iPhone Seven” (in Ukrainian it sounds as “Ifon Sim”) and the first person to claim the reward showed up the next day! People there are not faint hearted.
This time the offer by Burger King was obviously a joke, as there were no regular Terms and Conditions, which legitimate promotions usually have. Just saying!
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Wait, stop. I thought this was a serious article, until I reached the point that showed that it’s clearly satire. I mean, no one really believes that Russians have a sense of humor, do they? Clearly it’s a satirical and humorous post, and not serious. :p
Sorin, I had a big discussion in comments under the article “Do Russians have a sense of humor?” with a Dude (that’s his nick) who was adamant that Russians have no sense of humor. Because he visited Ukraine 12 times or so and knows better than anyone.
I guess maybe Ukrainians didn’t get his jokes? 😉
Hello Elena, hope all is well.
Your guess that Ukrainians didn’t get my jokes is more or less correct. It’s understandable, as it’s a different culture, mindset and baseline for humour in the first place…
I’m not putting anyone down, I’m just sharing my experiences and observations. I will also add that those people who had a greater exposure to English language in everyday life in Ukraine found the non-Russian humour much more palatable, preferable and enjoyable in general.
Dude, I’ve been living out of Russia for 20 years now and I still enjoy Russian humor. I do understand and enjoy English humor as well. I find that not many English-speaking people are quick-witted, while most Russians joke all the time. English-speaking people tend to take everything too seriously, in my experience, while Russians first of all will joke about anything that happened, fortunate or otherwise, especially with friends. It’s like English-speaking people think that humor is best left to comedians, while in Russia everyone is an amateur comedian and cracks jokes all the time. Russians may not joke… Read more »
Well said Sorin. However, let’s be fair… Everyone has a sense of humour, it’s just more developed in some than it is in others. No one can be at the very highest level at everything.
If in doubt have a look at “blogs.elenasmodels.com/en/50-russian-jokes/“ and “blogs.elenasmodels.com/en/33-russian-jokes/“ and decide for yourself what level the humour is situated at. Each to their own…
Dude, how about you crack a joke instead of just talking about humor? 😉
And while you are at that, translate comments to “50 jokes” in Russian, what girls say about the selection: https://blogs.elenasmodels.com/ru/smeshnye-korotkie-anekdoty-2018/
What I am saying is that you just don’t get the Russian humor. I wish I could help you with that but I can’t.
Burger king insults both foreigners and women. I do not care if it was a supposedly joke. It was too much, and it was a public insult because basically burger king their statement was indirectly if people are dumb enough they can behave like prostitudes. This was one of the worst insults to Russians. those men who claim aka Sorin and Dude obviously have no respect nor understand the dignity and value of women. Why not joke other ways. To me it is funnier when I watch russian videos and people make fun of using words, or even change the… Read more »
Eric, In this case, I disagree with you. Burger King’s joke didn’t mean anything insulting! Some people did find it offensive, but there are people who are offended by anything. You can look at them briefly and they find it offensive. Obviously, the company removed the joke because of the backlash and apologized, as a responsible business would. Here is the story: 1. Chairman of the committee on affairs of family, women and children in Russian Duma (Parliament) Tamara Pletnyova in an interview said that Russian women should not have sex with foreign men during Soccer World Cup, because they… Read more »
I now see what you are saying. Now I understand It’s a cultural thing. I do not find farting jokes or even falling down and hitting your head jokes funny although there is many that do. I was raised this way, my grandfather even though he knew women would not do that he always told us to protect the reputation of any woman. It is just my upbringing but I always saw it normal. And of course my family would be bothered by the joke it is just the way were raised. We do joke and even are very sarcastic.… Read more »
Eric, most jokes are offensive in some way I guess 🙂
I am not saying that. there is countless ways to joke, tease etc. I see we have our differences in this regard.
Eric, I agree some jokes are more offensive than others. Like Melania Trump wearing the coat with giant words, “I really don’t care” to visit a detention center was definitely not appropriate. Although she probably didn’t mean to offend.
My guess is that she was wearing it as a message to her husband probably they had a discussion before she went to the detention center. Or probably she does not care if the media will judge her just because the media judges her many times. Either way I do not think she wore the jacket to say she does not care about immigration nor immigrants. She does not care about rumors, she only cares that the children are safe and together. But that is a different story. I am not Pro-trump neither am I pro-hilary. But that is another… Read more »
Eric,
What I am saying is that sometimes other people see things differently to what we thought it would be.
Well said! Russians are sceptics and their humor (when you’re talking to them) is kinda “down in the mouth”.
“That would be nice” or “That’s good!” are common exclamations.
I’ve been watching their television ads. They love synchronized dance movements which are a humor into themselves. They love, silly quirks and silliness in general.
The Russian people are a wonderful, loving people….if they like you heh heh.
Paul, nice to see a foreigner who is getting Russian humor! 😀
Actually, when I was in Ukraine in 2003 and watched Russian news (I normally don’t watch Russian TV), I was surprised how they presented news stories and asked locals if this was a humor program. They said NO, it’s just normal news. So, even the regular presentation is usually tongue-in-cheek style. Funny how some foreigners don’t get it! 🙂
They don’t get it because Russian’s are so good at it.
Possibly 😉
Hey Eric, I’m not sure where you got the impression that I have no respect or dignity for women?
I was pretty sure that I was clear that I didn’t see the humour in this and to be perfectly frank I found it to be downright distasteful and certainly in no way funny. By the way, I’m not being sarcastic here, in case there is any doubt. Again, I do NOT see this as amusing!
However you choose to show and (mis)direct indignation isn’t my concern. However, making it clear this “joke” wasn’t particularly funny is my concern.
Cheers
Dude, most Russians thought it was funny 😀
That’s just hopeless I guess…….. 😉
But I guess you needed to know the context to understand it; like it’s playing on 2 facts: stupid statement by the Russian lawmaker + consistently bad results of the Russian soccer team.
As I said, timeliness and uniqueness of the observation is everything in Russian humor.
Here’s a tip for those ladies thinking that a visit to Burger King could be the solution to all their problems: I highly doubt that “Whoppers” and French fries are a very common diet choice of the World’s most talented footballers! So ladies, always remember to look around for the “salad guys”, for these are the true World Class Athletes. Don’t forget now.
Whopper + Fries = Foreign Faker Fool.
Mandarin Orange Chicken Breast Salad =
Smart thinking foreigner sacrificing his yummy Whopper for a salad and a fun time in the men’s room. ))) #bestlunchever.
Are these pics of women showing what happens when you Preggo? Or is it they are showing what happens when you win a lifetime supply of Whoppers?
The FIFA symbol looks like a space alien. Any Russian woman that gets preggo from a space alien wins American citizenship. Donald Trump, upon hearing this says “I don’t think so….uhh..Russian women? OK!”