I was watching television this morning and an appealing commercial came across the screen. Various mothers enjoying time with their families. At the end it was advertising Dixie paper plates. The punch line to why these mothers were able to spend extra time with their families was due to all of them using disposable Dixie paper plates. No offense, but that just annoys me. Yes, I found myself drawn to the idea of spending more time with my family and the idea of eating a healthy dinner with my family around the table each night was appealing. Yet, to give the credit to paper plates? You cannot give props to paper plates for time spent with family or a healthy meal.
And as for disposable plates, I really don’t think it’s that big of a hassle to wash a few dishes. And let’s face it, a lot of people have dishwashers now a days anyway, so all they have to do is put them in the dishwasher instead of the trash can. How lazy can America get? And at what expense? If everyone used disposable plates instead of reusable ones, we would be wasting money, time, energy, transportation, trees, etc….the list could go on. I just really didn’t appreciate message the ad was giving. If anyone can find the commercial online send me the link and I’ll post it. I couldn’t find it on you tube, only an old 1986 commercial.
Have a good day everyone. I am going to go wash some dishes with my family!
*Added May 2008: The Proof (Video of the commercial).
Marti Stanley's Web Log 
Mae Anne said,
April 5, 2008 @ 3:28 pm
AMEN!!! I have sene this commercial several times and each time I just get more and more disgusted at the thought that they are portraying! In my family we have made some of the most precious memories and had incredible conversations while doing the dishes after a great meal. How sad that they are giving off such a lazy, hurry up and go, non-eco friendly life style. No thank you, Dixie!
Tracy said,
April 7, 2008 @ 7:10 am
I’m doing my share in this department by not shaving my legs nearly as often as I should. š In all seriousness, I love the 2nd idea. Rubbing alcohol only costs pennies and that makes sense to me. Tell me what you think! Are you going to just put a little cup of it in the bathroom and store it there all the time?
marti said,
April 7, 2008 @ 7:54 am
That is what I was thinking. Do you think I can keep the cup in the shower? Or will too much steam make the alcohol ineffective?
Adam said,
May 1, 2008 @ 7:17 am
Just saw this commercial this morning and was also disturbed by it. Went searching online for the clip and found your blog. Pleased to see other people are also bothered by the message this ad sends. While I’m sure most people use paper plates from time to time out of necessity, this commercial is just wrong. It’s hard to believe that in this new era of corporate responsibility and environmental ethics that a company would put out this ad. Sure, family values are essential, but so is the environment.
Adam said,
May 8, 2008 @ 1:59 pm
Risking the wrath of Georgia Pacific, I’ve put the commercial online.
The Proof « Marti Stanley’s Web Log said,
May 8, 2008 @ 5:11 pm
[…] the link to my previous […]
Jenn said,
May 14, 2008 @ 9:54 am
Yay! Im not the only disgusted by this sick display of human lazyness. I hate dishes but love my trees so I will risk the five minutes of dishwashing for the sake of my family having an outdoors to go to. I wish they would take that comercial off the air. Wake up corporate america! We want environmental friendly ideas now!
Did you know that for every pound of plankton in the ocean there are six pounds of plastic. Think about that next time you use plastic bags at the store. Go Green, BYOB, Bring Your Own Bag!
rjlacko said,
May 23, 2008 @ 3:11 pm
I just came across your blog when I was writing about the exact same ad. What on earth? The commercial makes absolutely no sense, on so many levels. My thoughts are at http://rjlacko.wordpress.com/2008/05/23/wash-my-own-dishes-what-would-the-neighbors-say/
If you don’t mind, I’d also like to add your link of the ad spot. Thank you!
marti said,
May 23, 2008 @ 8:39 pm
Go right ahead. Thanks for stopping by!
Klondike Bar Commercial « Marti Stanley’s Web Log said,
July 22, 2008 @ 10:58 pm
[…] not as disturbed by this commercial as I was the Dixie paper plate commercial, but I should be. Men are not dumb people and they should not be viewed as such in our society. In […]
Jena said,
October 7, 2008 @ 9:28 am
I just saw an extremely offensive Dixie plate commercial! I use paper plates everyday and will never buy Dixie again after the commercial that shows an African American family and says, “more dependable than the white ones.” This was a direct attack on white American men and I am extremely offended. I can only imagine the finacial reprocussions to Dixie had it been directed at “the black ones.” I’ve never been so angered and outraged to search for a blog to let my feelings be know!
marti said,
October 8, 2008 @ 12:26 pm
Wow, Jena, I have not seen that commercial. I do hope the company was referring to Chinet paper plates as “the white ones”.
Kind of like the debate last night. I hope McCain was referring to Obama as “that one” because he was having a senior moment and not because he was being racist or being extremely rude.
Let’s hope for the best from both.
T Leigh said,
October 25, 2008 @ 2:39 pm
I too was extremely offended by the dixie plate commercial I have seen on WGN repeatedly today. An attractive African American woman starts out by saying something about being tired of all the promises they can’t keep…then pats her husband (who looks similar enough to Obama) and says that this one is strong and dependable… after that she reveals that she is talking about dixie paper plates (yeah right!). Another woman’s voice comes through and declares that these plates are stronger than the “white paper plates.” This disgusted me on so many levels!! I wondered immediately about the political views of Dixie’s president as well as the WGN television station. Not only was this political but racial. This commercial was designed to send a subliminal political message. Unbelievable!!! I will NEVER buy Dixie products again.
B. Burke said,
November 7, 2008 @ 11:21 pm
I too saw this commercial with its subliminal message. It was loud and clear in that the African-American woman was speaking directly-into-the camera in a close up head-shot, saying that these were “more dependable than the white ones”. That shot featured only her up close face and had nothing to do with the product. It was more like a SNL parody skit than a commercial. Disgusting to say the least. Funny I have not seen it since the election.
MiniMe said,
November 13, 2008 @ 3:44 pm
You know what.. The commercial of the African American family is still on.. I thought I was the only one who was finding this offensive… The voice over states..”typical white plates”.. It’s racist and appalling to see double standards in this country..I’m extremely mad at this commercial and wish one could get this banned from running… I will try to write down everything this woman is stating and post it.. This is outrageous that this day in age, one group uses racist terms and it’s okay to do so…but if another group uses it..it’s nearly a federal crime!! Just sad and sickening!!
Tamira Sears said,
November 16, 2008 @ 8:34 am
SO, I am also completely offended by the commercial that is racially slurring the “White One”. How do we get our outrage to Dixie?
marti said,
November 16, 2008 @ 6:19 pm
I still haven’t seen this commercial. They must not be airing it in the DFW area. If you are wanting to contact Georgia-Pacific’s Dixie company here is a link to their home page (http://www.dixie.com/) and a link to their “contact us” page (http://www.gp.com/contactus/under13PopupAgreement.asp?pk=1&mk=0&mo=15). Hope it helps. I would think they would want to know if they are offending this many people.