Valentine's and further proof if needed of how strange we are as Lebanese

 

Image credit - Michel Elefteriades

The above comes from Michel Elefteriades' instagram story. There is little context but the gist of it seems... I am actually sure, there are characters wearing masks and two "creatures" which seem like an emoticon and one of the Mr. Men had a baby. Or two babies in this case. If these are ears or wings (as in Cupid?) I know not. Because the whole thing - with or without context - screams of the bizarre. But there is it, in the middle of the Jounieh Souk, for everyone to see, men and women with golden-painted faces and two red "thingies". Because, obviously, it is Valentine's and this should make a lot of sense. Or to quote Shirly Bassey, "when did common sense prevail for lovers when we know it never will".

Al Wadi Al Akhdar gets lost in (emoji) translation

"For the virtuous month only accept the best" - says the Al Wadi Al Akhdar ad with an appetizing image of an aubergine to indicate their baba ghannouj (excellent) product. The problem? The aubergine has become in emoji language as a substitute to the male organ. Which, in an ad speaking about Ramadan is the metaphoric equivalent of shooting yourself in the foot! Now do women purchasing the product know the analogy? Most or the quasi majority do not. Did Al Wadi know it? (and considering their marketing manager is a very capable woman) The answer is obviously no.
But, the harm has been done! Many of us are now smirking under our cape or getting annoyed to the mixing of two unmixable things (Ramadan and the "aubergine"). But like it or not, we live in a digital world, with its new codes and signifies and the aster brands adapt, the better it is!