Row over 'tasteless' tsunami food

BBC ^ | 12 January, 2005

[nickcarraway]

South African restaurant customers are complaining that the use of the word tsunami by local eateries leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.

The Mugg and Bean chain has been selling its spicy tsunami chicken burger for over a year but will rename it in April, its managers say.

Johannesburg's Tsunami Seafood Emporium opened just three weeks before the giant waves devastated parts of Asia.

The Japanese sushi bar manager said he could not have predicted the disaster.

"A lot of research went into the name," said Claudio Goncalves.

'Traumatised'

He said that some people thought the restaurant was trying to cash in on the disaster.

One woman has asked what he would think if someone had opened a 9/11 grill house, he said.

Mr Goncalves, and his counterparts at Mugg and Bean, said they would donate some of the profits to victims of the tsunami.

Mugg and Bean's marketing manager Mike Said explained the choice of the name for the chicken burger, topped with bacon, cucumber pineapples and Thai sauce served in a bagel:

"We named it 'tsunami' because the burger is big and powerful."

Ten South Africans have been confirmed dead in the disaster and another 184 are officially missing.

On Monday, South African police warned that conmen were circulating letters and e-mails falsely claiming to be collecting contributions for victims of the disaster.

Meanwhile, a Cape Town family who survived the tsunami while on holiday in Thailand were car-jacked at gunpoint on their return to South Africa.

"I am absolutely traumatised," said Nicky Miller, 31.

[nickcarraway]

Meanwhile, a Cape Town family who survived the tsunami while on holiday in Thailand were car-jacked at gunpoint on their return to South Africa.

Do not stand anywhere near this family.

[Red Sea Swimmer]

It's about as funny as a kebab shop being called...

"Silence of the Lambs"

[Mr. Jeeves]

Name change forthcoming? Tsunami Asian Grill

[Onelifetogive]

South African restaurant customers are complaining that the use of the word tsunami by local eateries leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.

Number 1 rule of business: The customer is always right, even when the customer is an idiot...

Suprisingly enough, Tsunamis existed before 12/26 and were large walls of water then, too.

[headsonpikes]

They could call it the "Tsosumi Sushi Bar".

[theFIRMbss]

>Suprisingly enough, Tsunamis existed before 12/26

"Sue Nami Crowned Miss Dixie 2003 The Miss Dixie 2003 Pageant was held Sunday, November 10, 2002 at Backstreet on the Disco Main Stage. This year's theme was: "Stars, Stripes, & Divas Forever!" "This year's Dixie pageant had three incredibly talented contestants and featured: Cheyenne Demure, Miss Dixie 2002; Teena Love, Miss Dixie 2001; Gayla, Miss Dixie 2000; and Amber Divine, Miss Dixie 1996. Also making stellar appearances were Camilla Poker Balls, Miss Friends Universe 2002, Kissya Myrear, Miss Friends Universe 2001, and Bali High, Miss Friends Universe 1999. The world-famous Charlie Brown emceed the pageant and entertained the audience spectacularly. This year's winner was Sue Nami (Frank Fegurgur) of Friends Friday and Lambda leagues. First Runner-Up was Brittany Lamoure (Jason Harper) of Monday's Myth, and Second Runner Up was Krystal Saint James (Jim Underhill) of Friends Friday and Lambda leagues. ..."

[tfecw]

I guess hooters needs to rename it's 911 (pronounced "nine-one-one" hot wings. ooooor people can suck it up and not ban words because they find them unpleasant. Next up...Hitler, genocide, Dutch (the whole SAfrican history and all) hate, I disagree, maybe we should do it this way, don't you think, freedom....

kills me, truly kills me.

[Luddite Patent Counsel]

"It's about as funny as a kebab shop being called...

"Silence of the Lambs""

Actually, that IS pretty funny...

[Onelifetogive]

This year's winner was Sue Nami (Frank Fegurgur)

The information
you provided was more than
I wanted to know.

[Chieftain]

Sick stuff... but I knew there was somethin' funny about the 'Miss' Dixie and the whole pageant!

[thoughtomator]

I dunno about a 9/11 grill house, but a 9/11 shooting range wouldn't offend me at all.

[erikm88]

SOW Africa... (Society of Wusses)

--erik

[PAR35]

Next up... Dutch

National Lampoon featured the Dutch in an issue in the mid-70s.

[Alouette]

Whatever happened to that diet candy called AYDS?

[Hank Rearden]

Johannesburg's Tsunami Seafood Emporium opened just three weeks before the giant waves devastated parts of Asia.

Oops. Fire the marketing weasels. Not a good name choice regardless of events.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Do not stand anywhere near this family.

I don't know. They seem to survive where others die so maybe they are very lucky. Maybe being near them would be a safe place to be.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

It's about as funny as a kebab shop being called...
"Silence of the Lambs"

That is actually very funny. But I have a slightly twisted sense of humor.

[Choose Ye This Day]

Those were tasty! I'd always eat my Mom's AYDS candies out of the fridge. Yummy caramels.

[LauraleeBraswell]

I would also propose banning theme park rides with names the likes of Hurricane, Twister, Tornado or Tidal Wave. People have died in these natural disasters.


People really need to stop looking for ways to be offended.

[FreedomCalls]

Toyota drops 'Tsunami' name for sports car model

Toyota Canada is abandoning plans to name one of its most popular models of sports cars in this country, the "Celica Tsunami."

The automaker confirmed to CTV affiliate, CFTO in Toronto, that it was immediately changing the name of the car -- and pulling all advertising and marketing containing the tsunami name.

The move comes as the world continues to learn the staggering scope of the Dec. 26 natural disaster in south Asia, and as the death toll continues to climb. It was updated on Friday to 147,000.

Five Canadians have been officially declared killed in the tsunami: four in Thailand and one in Sri Lanka. Another 146 are missing.

Exactly one year ago, on Jan. 7, 2004, Toyota announced the name of for the car, calling it "the new wave of bold style."

Its press release at the time noted that "tsunami is the Japanese word for tidal wave."

The "Special Edition Celica Tsunami" was to have been a high-performance car, and was to have been available in both red and a colour that was described as "thunder cloud."

The car will now be called the Celica Sports Package.

Meanwhile, world aid continues to pour into south Asia, and Canada's Disaster Assistance Response Team is on the way.

Canada has earmarked $80 million for immediate relief and recovery efforts, promising as part of that commitment to match, dollar-for-dollar, private donations from Canadians.