People are pretty angry with high-end retailer Bloomingdale's after the store ran an ad that encourages men to "spike your best friend's eggnog when they're not looking" at a party.
The ad, in a recent holiday catalog for the chain, features a well-dressed man staring at a woman who doesn't appear to notice him. The man arches his eyebrow as he glares at the woman.
People were pretty outraged at what the ad seemed to be implying...
Ohhhh ouch. Um, @Bloomingdales, do we need to have the talk about consensual sex again? https://t.co/jdhm1uoq8n
And pretty quickly came to the conclusion the ad was describing date rape.
Oh, Bloomingdales... a few things are a bit non-lol, date rape being one! via @scottsalter2 https://t.co/U0sLWwTnCT
"Here's Bloomingdale's advertising festive date rape and non-consensual drug abuse to sell fashion. Stay classy," one Twitter user said.
Also the 'short skirt and date rape' trope reinforced in glossy ads @Bloomingdales. Hit em where it hurts folks.
A lot of people were really confused about how this ad was ever approved.
How many people were involved in developing and approving the #Bloomingdales ad? https://t.co/AEfquZ12kU
Like seriously, who thought this was OK?
Someone at Bloomingdale’s thought this ad was smart. I assume that person has been fired. https://t.co/VrxfDfSGQI
There's no way this person still has a job, right?
Sadly, not a spoof. I hear a marketing position is open at #Bloomingdales - if you can't see why, we should talk.
As the ad began to draw more and more outrage online, Bloomingdale's apologized on its Twitter page.
We heard your feedback about our catalog copy, which was inappropriate and in poor taste. Bloomingdale's sincerely apologizes.
"We heard your feedback about our catalog copy, which was inappropriate and in poor taste. Bloomingdale's sincerely apologizes," the store said.
A spokesperson for the store told BuzzFeed News the retailer had no further comment besides the statement on Twitter.
But some people online said the apology wasn't enough. Some suggested Bloomingdale's donate some of its proceeds from the holiday season to an organization that helps sexual assault victims.
But will @Bloomingdales donate a portion of its holiday profits to @RAINN01 ?? It should! https://t.co/9XQrhwMJrY
"Bloomingdale's, if you're genuinely sorry, donate profits to a rape crisis centre," this user wrote.
@Bloomingdales if you're genuinely sorry, donate profits to a rape crisis centre.