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New Tag-Heuer commercial w/ McQueen hand-gesture

Discussion in 'Other Off Topic Forum' started by kevfla, Apr 19, 2015.

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  1. kevfla

    kevfla Formula 3

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    gone 4 good
    #1 kevfla, Apr 19, 2015
    I've always been interested in cultural differences between regions around the world. For example, many Americans flash the "OK" hand-gesture after a close-call of sorts...in a car, or after falling in an athletic event. But to Brazilians, you are communicating, "You're an a.hole."

    The ubiquitous "thumb's-up" gesture means "up yours" in many European countries.

    With that said, I can't believe a company like Tag-Heuer, one that markets internationally, would include in a TV commercial, the scene in LeMans where McQueen gestures with the upward swing of his index and middle fingers!!

    I'm American. The gesture has no impact for me. But to a lot of the world, it's like flippin' the finger. I can't believe the ad agency that put the commercial together, wasn't aware of this!
     
  2. GatorFL

    GatorFL Moderator
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    Duane
    #2 GatorFL, Apr 19, 2015
    I've been involved with agency work for 15 years ad would guess it was probably a US-specific ad. Very easy to do.
     
  3. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 Jack-the-lad, May 4, 2015
    It was a gesture used by English archers to taunt the French. When the French captured an English archer they would amputate his index and middle fingers, thus making it impossible for him to use a bow. The gesture is in the sense of, "Oy! I still have me fingers, froggie!"

    True or not, it makes a good story.....
     
  4. El Wayne

    El Wayne F1 World Champ
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    #4 El Wayne, May 5, 2015
    I haven't seen the new commercial you're referring to, but one from last year had the two-finger "salute" in it and I don't recall there being any backlash. And if I remember correctly, they've used a still image of this same thing in print ads forever. Like someone else pointed out, of course, commercials and ads are produced for and released in specific markets.

    The commercial from last year:

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUyp8mhQyqQ[/ame]
     
  5. richardson michael

    richardson michael Karting

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    #5 richardson michael, May 23, 2015
    This is a very English gesture,very popular in the sixties,at school,and university. It is a reply to a comment made towards you,to which you do not wish to give a verbal reply..so you return with the two finger (up yours) jesture,basically meaning ..get knoted,or F*** Off.Steve McQueen saw this finger statement while filming Le Mans,and Derek Bell,one of the employed drivers showed him how to do it. Steve struggled to get it right to start with,but finally got it about right ,and the photo became an iconic image. The poster is now on any collectors wall,and rightly so. Brilliant.
     
  6. CornersWell

    CornersWell F1 Rookie

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    #6 CornersWell, May 23, 2015
    There are two version of the two finger salute. This one, in which the palm faces towards the person, and another in which the palm faces out (the traditional V for Victory). Reportedly, Winston Churchill himself kept giving the irreverent one, and had to be educated on the topic.

    CW
     
  7. richardson michael

    richardson michael Karting

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    #7 richardson michael, May 23, 2015
    There is ,of course a huge difference in the presentation of these two gestures, so let me explain. The rude gesture is.with the hand pointing towards you,at around eye level. The Churchill victory salute is with the hand facing away from you,with the arm raised above the head,and leaning backwards slightly. It is very important that in UK,you get this right. Its an english thing,bit of a laugh really,but it lives in folklore.
     
  8. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 Jack-the-lad, May 30, 2015
    Predates the 60s (the 1960s) by a good bit. See #3.
     
  9. richardson michael

    richardson michael Karting

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    #9 richardson michael, May 30, 2015
    Yes, you a right Jack,..I was of course talking of my school experiences when I mentioned the 60's.!Did you know why the Brits drive along the left side of a road. As an armed coachman,or highwayman...mostly right handed,it was quicker to draw and fire almost directly ahead at an oncoming foe,rather than have to draw and fire across your body,not so quick or accurate!
     

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