THE INCOME GAP

IS SOLVED

(thanks to Bristol)

On Sunday, I really put the Netflix-and-chill principle into practice. With an occasional shot of television in between. That's where it went a bit wrong, because television means commercials. Normally, I would head to the kitchen for a dose of cola and chips, uuh, I mean of course lemon water, green tea, and celery sticks. But this lazy Sunday, I stuck to the couch and suddenly saw the unflappable face of Philippe Geubels, my favorite comedian from Belgium. I particularly appreciate his hard jokes, even the woman-unfriendly ones. But this time he did a little something for Bristol on the Dutch screen, a commercial thing.

‘Philippe, this time I just didn't find you that funny and that's all Bristol's fault’

And Philippe, I’m sorry, but because of this commercial thing, you’re a bit off my favorite comedian list. Bristol was never really my favorite, but now I’m even less likely to go there. I can handle crude jokes, even the kind that takes a good jab at us ladies (we need that from time to time), but what this duo is doing is disappointing. The advertising agency of Bristol probably thought: if Philippe does it, we can get away with it. But unfortunately, it leaves a bit of a bad aftertaste. Even my boyfriend, a big fan of Geubels, couldn't appreciate it that much. Oh, Bristol is definitely getting attention, that has worked out.

Let me explain the situation. Bristol is offering a twenty percent discount on the women's collection. Everyone is happy of course. Run to the Bristol stores, the joy dances are bursting from the screen. Then you hear the sad fact that women in the Netherlands still earn twenty percent less than men blaring from the speakers. And Philippe explains that problem by declaring this brilliant discount from Bristol's bag solved. There I was, kind of stunned. It’s just that I can’t express myself too bluntly on paper, otherwise I would throw in a little WTF right now.

My toes are probably üüüüüber long and I probably have the humor of a frozen fish stick, but I don’t find it that funny. I just mentioned that all those feminist slogans amaze me (read here for a moment), now I almost understand that women take this to heart. Oh yes, the income gap is being raised, but does it have to be like this? Philippe, this time I just didn't find you that funny and that's all Bristol's fault.