The ribbon-wearing craze that started over almost two decades ago has finally gone too far.
Do you remember when Seinfeld took on the topic that no one dared to utter aloud: We shouldn’t have to wear a darn ribbon to show our support for a cause?
The other day we were driving along Oxford Street in London and I noticed a rather large ribbon sticker on the back of the SUV in front of us. When we stopped for a stoplight I realized what it was for. It was an off-white (so as not to be confused with the women abuse ribbon) with a red stripe around the inside of it (red signifies AIDS, don’t ya know) and a little bit of yellow (Support Our Troops). Written within the ribbon and continuing upside down and all around was, I love my German Short-Haired Pointer!
The ribbon has been hijacked for dog breed celebrations!
Ridiculous.
I felt duped for having read it. But the ribbon people will never be stopped unless they are convinced to merge their causes with the rubber bracelet people and the rear window sticker people. I’ve got an idea for them: a hat covered in ribbons, rubber bracelets and stickers! Everyone who needs to show they support every cause should wear one. Then they would be easier for the rest of us to spot and avoid.
Actually, the ribbon-wearing craze that started over 20 years ago, went too far 15 years ago! Now, I’m all for supporting important societal causes and getting the word out, however even the best marketing strategy goes awry if it’s repeated too often, effectively losing its effect spurring comments such as your blog item today. So enough is enough.
Who remembers the real reason yellow ribbons were worn and tied around everything?
OK Allan, I’ll bite! Did it involve Tony Orlando and Dawn in the 70’s?
Although Tony Orlando and Dawn brought the song to popular music, the yellow ribbon was used as a symbol for the Iranian hostages which were held for over 300 days before they escaped with the assistance of the Canadian Embassy.
Given that this Blog is owned by a Word Smith, correction, it was American hostages held by the Iranians.
I thought it was to bring the boys home from the war? But the folded ribbon was started by AIDS advocates in the early 90’s
I saw a tannish ‘ribbon’ magnet on the back of a car that read:
Support our Pants! The end of the ‘ribbon’ was shaped like a belt buckle. Snickered and passed the car which was driven by a ‘mature’ WASP male. “Nuf said!