Doubtless, the outrage is over the implied suggestion that his wife is unacceptable (perhaps a few pounds overweight) and needs to ride a Peloton in order to make herself acceptable.

Wondering how those who are objecting to this commercial can know that the wife asked for an exercise bike. Seems like she's making herself do this, not the husband forcing her.

Why is she nervous about riding an exercycle?

Why is she nervous about riding an exercycle?

NicoleK at December 8, 2019 6:48 AM

She isn’t. She is an actress.

This isn’t real Nicole.

To put it a little more kindly, poor writing. Or bad acting. Take your pick.

Any gift can be an insult just like any gift can be valued. Well, most any. Few people appreciate a dick in a box. That only work on porn.

"Any gift can be an insult just like any gift can be valued."

Girlfriend: "Ugh. I want to work out and get healthy but I hate the gym."

Me @ Christmas: *I heard you, so here's some trendy exercise stuff*

Girlfriend: "Yay! Thank you!"

Her 'friends': *OMG HE THINKS YOU'RE FAT THIS IS SUCH PASSIVE-AGGRESSIVE TOXIC MALE BEHAVIOR YOU SHOULD BE SINGLE LIKE US DUMP HIM NOW!*

Girlfriend: "Oh, fuck off, bitches."

To put it a little more kindly, poor writing. Or bad acting. Take your pick. ~ Ben at December 8, 2019 9:43 AM

Or a commercial for a product; a commercial in which the receipt of said product as a gift is looked upon not only favorably, but with significant gratitude - done that way to show that receipt of said product should be viewed favorably and with significant gratitude and to promote consideration of giving said product as a gift.

> Why is she nervous about riding an exercycle?

> NicoleK at December 8, 2019 6:48 AM

I think she knows how to ride a bike, but this is a bike maybe that comes with a ton of social anxiety:

it has a camera
everyone can see you on the leaderboard, or see how you are not keeping up
your name might be called out, maybe shaming you, "Nicole, keep up!"

Though I've ridden thousands of miles on my bike, this were in fact my concerns when I considered joining a spin class, I think Peloton might be concerned their bike comes with similar issues.

Why is she nervous?? You must never have taken a spin class. Regular riders know that the seat is uncomfortable in a really sensitive place. It takes at least 4 classes to become desensitized to it. When I first started spinning I dreaded that seat like the plague.

On another point, I have never met an instructor who would call you out for being off pace...most ppl want the shout out bc it means they are performing well. The NY Times once dedicated a whole article to the “instructor shout out” and how desirable and motivating it is.

I actually thought most of the “complaints” about the commercial were jokes, and a lot of them were funny. I can’t believe this has taken on a life of its own...so weird...

Once you're an adult, I think you should pay for the more expensive things that YOU want. Even on your birthday, you shouldn't expect more than modest trinket gifts from your spouse. (Unless your spouse makes 10 times what you do and you two have an agreement.)

Sorry, Isab, why is the CHARACTER nervous?

Even if the bike has a hard seat, she's in her living room, she can stop whenever she likes. It's not like she's biked ten miles and then her butt hurts and now she has to go home. And if the people on the monitor are assholes she can turn it off. It's not like a real exercise class where she would have to walk out in front of everyone.

Doubtless, the outrage is over the implied suggestion that his wife is unacceptable (perhaps a few pounds overweight) and needs to ride a Peloton in order to make herself acceptable.

This picture comes to mind:

https://i.imgur.com/a8JnXYhh.jpg

I think the aspect that gets to everyone is that it's seen as a sign of how narcissistic our society has become:

1. Husband buys wife a Pelaton because, you know, she's about six ounces overweight.
2. Wife uses it to take an endless stream of selfies.

Me, I think it's just silly. But I wonder if the Pelaton company is operating here under the philosophy of "there's no such thing as bad publicity". People see it and (a) remember the ad, and (b) remember the product being advertised. In a lot of the advertising world, that's considered a win.

To follow up:

You do not buy expensive presents, even for those you love, without being 100% sure they will be truly appreciated. (Even if you desperately want her to lose weight - too bad.) Another example would be a fur coat.

What I don't get are those who keep buying BULKY items when they don't live in a mansion - or when there's a good chance they're going to be living in a tiny apartment soon. All it means is, they may well have to pay just as much - or more - for storage space as they'll be paying for rent!

Adam Pinter, who wrote "Secondhand," was on NPR's "Fresh Air" and "On Point" recently. Quote:

https://www.npr.org/2019/12/04/784702588/the-best-thing-you-can-do-is-not-buy-more-stuff-says-secondhand-expert?utm_source=pocket-newtab

Author Adam Minter remembers two periods of grief after his mother died in 2015: the intense sadness of her death, followed by the challenge of sorting through what he calls "the material legacy of her life."

Over the course of a year, Minter and his sister worked through their mother's possessions until only her beloved china was left. Neither one of them wanted to take the china — but neither could bear to throw it out. Instead, they decided to donate it.

Waiting in the donation line at Goodwill, Minter began wondering what would happen to the dishes: "It occurred to me this is a very interesting subject," he says. "Nobody really knew what happened beyond the donation door at Goodwill."

Minter had spent nearly two decades reporting on the waste and recycling industries. Now he began looking into the market for secondhand goods, both domestically and in Africa and Asia.

"Your average thrift store in the United States only sells about one-third of the stuff that ends up on its shelves," he says. "The rest of the stuff ends up somewhere else."

Minter visited Goodwill donation centers in the U.S. and watched as employees engaged in a sophisticated sorting and pricing system. He noted that while designer clothes might be set aside as "boutique" items, other products — including heavy wooden furniture and outdated exercise equipment — were often destined for the dump.

"A 300-pound oak dining room table ... becomes a problem," he says. "You will see some of this very nice oak furniture, if it can't be sold, it will end up in the landfill."

Minter's new book, Secondhand, explores the afterlife of donated clothes and electronics. His previous book, Junkyard Planet, was about the recycling industry...

(snip)

Neat link, Lenona

""You will see some of this very nice oak furniture, if it can't be sold, it will end up in the landfill."

Neighbors of mine bought a home in the gold country and furnished it entirely with thrift-store oak furniture. I think their entire house was done for the price of a new couch ... and oak kind of works out there in the sticks.

I passed a Peloton company van in traffic yesterday.

Sadly, it was not being pedaled down the Interstate.