"Don't be a D*ckhead" - Australian Road Safety Campaign

[The Copy Nazi]

I keep telling people we do things differently Downunder. Especially in Advertising. This road safety campaign was launched yesterday in Victoria - a southern Australian state. The same time that the F1 driver Lewis Hamilton had a $150K Benz impounded after being caught doing a burn-out on a public street. Then the Roads Minister was asked on a talkback radio show whether Hamilton was being a "D*ckhead" - and he actually said it - "OK, I'll say it - he's a d*ckhead".


Makes for a great headline - don't you think?

Don't be a D*ckhead™

Would you get away with this in the U.S.? It's gone viral already.
Sometimes I'm proud to be Australian.

[billionareHuman]

if someone's being a D*ckhead then what else can you say? (I'm Aussie too)

[gcastagno]

Originally Posted by billionareHuman

if someone's being a D*ckhead then what else can you say? (I'm Aussie too)

Not sure I agree to this.

I personally see nothing wrong with it and would say it myself, though that said, as long as it wasn't broadcasting at 'family time' where children can listen because then an issue begins to creep in and that is, where is the line drawn?

If someone is a d*ckhead, is that ok to say publicly? Maybe, but what if someone is an a$$*ole, or a *****, or a ^&*?£, I guess you see where this is going. Is it still ok to call them up on that just because they are?

I guess there are inteligent ways of calling someone up on something and then there are chidish ways. It just depends on when it was broadcast.

[Kevin-VirtualProfitCenter]

What's wrong with being a duck? Ducks are majestic water birds. No one should compare someone doing something dumb with a duck by calling them a "duck head."

I don't even think I get it...why is that such a bad thing to be a duck head? It seems to me it's almost like a compliment. Those birds are beautiful.

[The Copy Nazi]

Originally Posted by gcastagno

Not sure I agree to this.

I personally see nothing wrong with it and would say it myself, though that said, as long as it wasn't broadcasting at 'family time' where children can listen because then an issue begins to creep in and that is, where is the line drawn?

If someone is a d*ckhead, is that ok to say publicly? Maybe, but what if someone is an a$$*ole, or a *****, or a ^&*?£, I guess you see where this is going. Is it still ok to call them up on that just because they are?

I guess there are inteligent ways of calling someone up on something and then there are chidish ways. It just depends on when it was broadcast.

D*ckhead is almost a term of endearment Downunder. Just like "bast*rd" is. Very common term. Actually my 5 year old uses it all the time. No idea where he got it from. But it makes me laugh when I hear him say it. What's even funnier is that we live in France so the frogs don't have any idea what he's saying anyway. I think my family must be a bit like Ozzy Osbourne's. What can I say.

[whateverpedia]

I take offence at it.

There's nothing I like better than taking a stroll around the docks, and what about the nautical types who love lounging around on the deck of their boats?

So putting me and all my fellow dockheads and deckheads in with that d|ckhead is not on.

[gcastagno]

Interesting

A ROAD safety campaign that calls young drivers ''dickheads'' for talking on their phones and not wearing seatbelts while driving has been slammed as inappropriate and divisive.

So if I have this correct here, what your telling me here is that the government is actually praising these young drivers and calling them something endearing..

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against it personally, it just doesn't sound like they are calling them something endearing to me judging by the article. Aussie and Brit humour is pretty close and we also use it in that funny way at times.

That said, when I read this point.....

Another ad says that using a mobile while driving will cause an ''emo'' to be born.

I swear to God i am going to wear my seatbelt and never answer that damned phone again in the car, we just can't run this risk...

[The Copy Nazi]

Originally Posted by gcastagno

Interesting
So if I have this correct here, what your telling me here is that the government is actually praising these young drivers and calling them something endearing..

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against it personally, it just doesn't sound like they are calling them something endearing to me judging by the article. Aussie and Brit humour is pretty close and we also use it in that funny way at times.

That said, when I read this point..... I swear to God i am going to wear my seatbelt and never answer that damned phone again in the car, we just can't run this risk...

No I'm not saying that at all. It depends on the context - obviously. I can say "You're a funny basta*d" which can be OK. Or I can say "You're a basta*d" - which is not OK. BUT...depends on the context. It can still be offensive - both ways.

This campaign is a lot more subtle than what it looks like in print. It's kinda saying "Come on mate - don't be a D*ckhead" - which is something you might say to your best mate. Quite clever IMO. And as I said, gone viral already.

[Daniel Sanchez]

I like building decks. Decks are great. Especially ni the summer for get togethers. Why is that an insult?

As for a a richardhead, that's a different story.

I get what Metroncity is talking about. I'm Canadian and well I have no idea why that might mean anything but I've got my share of Aussie Friends (it's a commonwealth thing; ask me if I care about the queen of England though..:P)

This is just my point of view / opinion so take it as a grain of salt :

Anyways, it's really just a cultural thing from what I can tell. From what I can tell, Aussies day to day banter would sound like an insult coming from most of us other non-Aussie types which for is most of the time a silly jab at best for an Aussie. It's much more lax there from what I can tell and people get it when your are telling things like it is and not to hurt someone's feelings and so in that case it's appropriate, even on the radio or the like.

You just need to hang out with Aussies mate. If they called me a richardhead and I got offended, (at least my friends) would laugh, look at me funny, and then call me a weirdo or something else (which for they is a real insult) while ignoring me and letting me be a silly American.

Fortunately I'm Canadian and this scenario would never happen because the being laid back thing and all. If it was on the radio or TV though...different story but I'm not an Aussie though.

[tryinhere]

Originally Posted by Metronicity

And as I said, gone viral already.

Well people are talking about it, and most say its a waste of space and I agree, who ever the d*ck was that thought that up does not have his head turned on right and needs to take a good strong grip of the matter at hand, only a d*ckhead would come up with an idea like that anyway.

[BillOliver]

The Australian sense of humour is pretty raw.
Which Australians remember the:
"Dont be a bl00dy Idiot" ads for Don't Drink & Drive?

Bill Oliver
Australian in Malaysia

[The Copy Nazi]

Originally Posted by BillOliver

The Australian sense of humour is pretty raw.
Which Australians remember the:
"Dont be a bl00dy Idiot" ads for Don't Drink & Drive?

Bill Oliver
Australian in Malaysia

That's right, Bill. But this 2007 British ad shot on cellphone was really hard-hitting too -

YouTube - Controversial British teen safety...

[keystothemind]

I'm Living in Aus at the moment (NSW -> NOT Sydney) and, yes, I can safely say, things are done differently down under!