With no communication from Star Liquor following our enquiries as to the response to their signage at the Stanthorpe outlet in Victoria Street, our Inbox continues to fill with commentary (see letters in this edition).
Last week we focused on the "Drinks as Cold as Your Ex" responses and today we report on asking readers and visitors, near and far, about the adjacent wording, as pictured, about "Mates Looking After Mates" (yes, again in capitals).
While this all adds to their promotion, responses to this sign were again mixed but almost one third of those who responded were less concerned with the latter sign's wording.
"That part seems pretty harmless," a Brisbane resident told us of the "mates" reference.
Another Brisbane visitor, who was in Stanthorpe last weekend and grew up locally, said that the same signage can be seen in Aspley, on the northside and while he was "bothered by it at first," he's now "used to it and doesn't pay attention".
Of those who were concerned on the latter wording, a local male said, "Turning up with a beer is not mateship ... (and) while I love a beer, being a mate doesn't require a beer."
A local female said the "mate" message "would normally suggest a positive message", but in this context she's "not sure of the intended connotation".
This female asked, "Does it mean that we look after our mates by providing them with booze?" "Whatever it is, I'm not liking Star's use of what could be a positive use of language, to their advantage through negative undertones."
"It's a polarising thing," a passerby told us when on site. "On one hand they are saying the drinks are 'icy cold' and on the other (side of the premises) they are saying 'mates' encourage others to not 'drink and drive'. Star's messaging actually doesn't make any sense to have this together. It's mixed up and quite dumb really."
"I won't shop there and I'm a bloke," said another.
We asked local councillors if they would like to comment, seeing Southern Downs Regional Mayor, Melissa Hamilton did last week, and they declined.
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