M&S still think we are part of the UK

D35

You would think after several years in Ireland, Marks and Spenser would understand that we are no longer part of the UK. If you are looking for a contact number on there site and click into international stores we are not listed, but dont worry you can find all the Irish stores in there UK section.

Next they will be running a buy British campaign.

http://corporate.marksandspencer.com/aboutus/where/international_stores

Kintarō Hattori

In fairness the pleb who put that together probably does think Ireland is part of the UK. Sure it shouldn't happen but it's not worth getting into a fuss about. A lot of companies throw Ireland and the UK together from a business perspective as it doesn't make sense for them to have an Irish section/headquarters as the market is just too small.

Did you email them and point out the error?

D35

Don't get me wrong I'm not a hate the Brits person without them we would never be where we are today, but still there is an international section for stores outside the UK how hard would it be to put Ireland in there???

and email them!!! why would I want to do that when I can post it here and stir the pot

dudara

Not a Consumer Issue - Moved to After Hours

dudara

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

i hate you so much

Lumen

In before "British Isles".

prinz

D35 wrote: »

You would think after several years in Ireland, Marks and Spenser would understand that we are no longer part of the UK

..and that after several years of having a presence here people would know it is Marks & Spencer.

Irish Halo

This will be derived from a database where the stores will be separated by their distribution network and the Irish stores will be art of the same chain as the stores in NI and GB.

Do people still get worked up about this? If you are worried about some kind of "silent invasion" by the British maybe you should look at the high street it is pretty much 90% British/Foreign chains; Tesco, HMV, Top Shop, Zara, Miss Selfridges, Starbucks, Waterstones, the aforementioned M&S etc etc

Jumpy

Lumen wrote: »

In before "British Isles".

Aisles.

mathie

In before Paedoph Isles.

Zebra3

Sure the British flag still claims us so I'm not surprised some private business sees it that way too. :rolleyes:

FatherLen

Zebra3 wrote: »

Sure the British flag still claims us

how so?

LordSutch

Heard some news reporter on the radio yesterday talking about proposed cancelled Aer Lingus flights from Belfast to the UK :cool:

ejmaztec

M&S, supplying dyslexic S&M fetishists for over a century.

Zebra3

FatherLen wrote: »

how so?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Flag#Since_1801

FatherLen

ok it uses a flag that we used in the 17th century when we were under british rule. just incase you have forgotten we have changed our flag. i dont think they "claim" us.

Dravokivich

mathie wrote: »

In before Paedoph Isles.

dam..... late again :pac:

GizAGoOfYerGee

I lived in the UK for 2 years. You'd be surprised how many people there think that Ireland is in the UK.

GizAGoOfYerGee

http://www.marksandspencer.com/gp/store-locator/actions/store-finder-form-actions.html/278-6704412-0810060?streetName=&townName=dublin&postCode=&searchByTown.x=36&searchByTown.y=2&viewID=store-locator&ASIN=&nodeID=

Luxie

GizAGoOfYerGee wrote: »

I lived in the UK for 2 years. You'd be surprised how many people there think that Ireland is in the UK.

I think in fairness, most of them have an idea. I lived in London for ten years which obviously it's pretty cosmopolitan. Because of the huge mix of nationalities, they don't really see us as being 'foreign' as such. As in we speak the same language, have similar interests, etc. Not necessarily because they 'claim' us. That was my experience anyway.

Sunnyisland

Irish Halo wrote: »

This will be derived from a database where the stores will be separated by their distribution network and the Irish stores will be art of the same chain as the stores in NI and GB.

Do people still get worked up about this? If you are worried about some kind of "silent invasion" by the British maybe you should look at the high street it is pretty much 90% British/Foreign chains; Tesco, HMV, Top Shop, Zara, Miss Selfridges, Starbucks, Waterstones, the aforementioned M&S etc etc

Its not that people get worked up over it but i would think it be a courtesy and right if the company respected this sovereign country,s right to be independent of being labelled a part of the uk.

Fratton Fred

GizAGoOfYerGee wrote: »

I lived in the UK for 2 years. You'd be surprised how many people there think that Ireland is in the UK.

It amazes me how many people here think England comprises Britain, Scotland and Wales and that the four nationalities of the UK are Northern Irish, British, Welsh and Scotch.

ejmaztec

FatherLen wrote: »

ok it uses a flag that we used in the 17th century when we were under british rule. just incase you have forgotten we have changed our flag. i dont think they "claim" us.

It would have cost a mint to change the flag, in the same way that it would cost a mint for the Americans to update the stars and stripes, and for the EU to take into account the additional member-countries.

Zebra3

Fratton Fred wrote: »

It amazes me how many people here think England comprises Britain, Scotland and Wales and that the four nationalities of the UK are Northern Irish, British, Welsh and Scotch.

Yeah, imagine thinking a type of whiskey is a British nationality. :eek:

Fratton Fred

Zebra3 wrote: »

Yeah, imagine thinking a type of whiskey is a British nationality. :eek:

I have to admit, it is mainly the Americans that get that one wrong.

Zebra3

ejmaztec wrote: »

It would have cost a mint to change the flag, in the same way that it would cost a mint for the Americans to update the stars and stripes, and for the EU to take into account the additional member-countries.

America has always updated its flag by adding an extra star for each state.

Strange how the Brits had no problem worrying about the cost when they added the Irish bit to their flag but were worried about the cost when it came to taking it out.

prinz

ejmaztec wrote: »

It would have cost a mint to change the flag, in the same way that it would cost a mint for the Americans to update the stars and stripes, and for the EU to take into account the additional member-countries.

Why did it need to be changed? The flag of St Patrick still represents the Irish part of the United Kingdom. The EU flag isn't routinely updated with new Member States either it has always featured twelve stars.

enda1

Fratton Fred wrote: »

It amazes me how many people here think England comprises Britain, Scotland and Wales and that the four nationalities of the UK are Northern Irish, British, Welsh and Scotch.

I don't think anyone thinks that.

biko

D35 wrote: »

and email them!!! why would I want to do that when I can post it here and stir the pot

Thank you! Without this kind of thinking boards would only have 65% of the posts.

FreudianSlippers

Fun fact: the only us state with the union flag on it is Hawaii.

Bottle_of_Smoke

prinz wrote: »

Why did it need to be changed? The flag of St Patrick still represents the Irish part of the United Kingdom. The EU flag isn't routinely updated with new Member States either it has always featured twelve stars.

It doesn't. They changed it to the Ulster banner. I've also never seen it flying during marching season.

Amusingly on the UUP office in Ballymoney they have a Union jack logo but the st. patricks saltire bit has faded out. Always think its hilarious they haven't noticed.

FatherLen

OisinT wrote: »

Fun fact: the only us state with the union flag on it is Hawaii.

http://waynejoseph.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/hawaiian_flag.jpg

FreudianSlippers

FatherLen wrote: »

http://waynejoseph.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/hawaiian_flag.jpg

Yep. Truly an assault on the aul eyes too.

ejmaztec

Zebra3 wrote: »

America has always updated its flag by adding an extra star for each state.

Strange how the Brits had no problem worrying about the cost when they added the Irish bit to their flag but were worried about the cost when it came to taking it out.

prinz wrote: »

Why did it need to be changed? The flag of St Patrick still represents the Irish part of the United Kingdom. The EU flag isn't routinely updated with new Member States either it has always featured twelve stars.

My errors just show how relevant I think flags are.:P

Although the EU flag has 12 stars, which most people seemed to think related to the 12 member-states back in 1986, the EU website maintains that this was just a coincidence.

I seem to recall that someone suggested that the flag be changed when the last batch of countries joined the EU, but it was decided to leave it as it was.

Rabies

dudara wrote: »

Not a Consumer Issue - Moved to After Hours

dudara

I would like to personally thank you for feeding our lovely AH heads with this thread. They love it.

hondasam

Fratton Fred wrote: »

It amazes me how many people here think England comprises Britain, Scotland and Wales and that the four nationalities of the UK are Northern Irish, British, Welsh and Scotch.

That is true but only people who have no interest in other countries.

hondasam

Rabies wrote: »

I would like to personally thank you for feeding our lovely AH heads with this thread. They love it.

everything that nobody else wants gets dumped in AH, Is that a good thing or a bad thing.

mikedragon32

Well, if the BBC is anything to go by, most sports people are Scottish, Welsh, N. Irish or English until they start winning stuff. Then they're British or English.

We've strayed way off topic now haven't we?

This isn't just a rant thread, this is a rant thread cultivated in on the southern slopes of Consumer Issues and drizzled with After Hours indignation, infused with an essence of righteousness. This is an M&S rant thread.

starbelgrade

OisinT wrote: »

Yep. Truly an assault on the aul eyes too.

If you think that's bad, you should see the M&S Tricolour

Rabies

hondasam wrote: »

everything that nobody else wants gets dumped in AH, Is that a good thing or a bad thing.

Sometimes it gets thrown back, locked, deleted, moved on again or made fun of.
All depends on the mood.

This thread is ok.
Fits with the typical low brow AH hatred of anything English.
Very soon someone will find a way to blame Bertie or Cromwell.

JohnathanM

Rabies wrote: »

Sometimes it gets thrown back, locked, deleted, moved on again or made fun of.
All depends on the mood.

This thread is ok.
Fits with the typical low brow AH hatred of anything English.
Very soon someone will find a way to blame Bertie or Cromwell.

I blame DeValera myself. You know how those Yanks love anything English.

Luxie

ejmaztec wrote: »

My errors just show how relevant I think flags are.:P

Although the EU flag has 12 stars, which most people seemed to think related to the 12 member-states back in 1986, the EU website maintains that this was just a coincidence.

I seem to recall that someone suggested that the flag be changed when the last batch of countries joined the EU, but it was decided to leave it as it was.

I was working in the European Commission when Austria, Finland and Sweden joined up and the decision was taken not to expand the flag to 15. Or even further.

hondasam

Rabies wrote: »

Sometimes it gets thrown back, locked, deleted, moved on again or made fun of.
All depends on the mood.

This thread is ok.
Fits with the typical low brow AH hatred of anything English.
Very soon someone will find a way to blame Bertie or Cromwell.

I'm sure someone will blame FF.

jc84

D35 wrote: »

Don't get me wrong I'm not a hate the Brits person without them we would never be where we are today, but still there is an international section for stores outside the UK how hard would it be to put Ireland in there???

and email them!!! why would I want to do that when I can post it here and stir the pot

most companies don't include ireland on their websites, hardly worth the bother really

df1985

GizAGoOfYerGee wrote: »

I lived in the UK for 2 years. You'd be surprised how many people there think that Ireland is in the UK.

Worked in Tenerife for a few summers, 90% of the other staff were english. A lot of them thought we were british, while many simply didnt have a notion of their history, they used to ask me things like "why do Irish hate us so much?" Id give a ten minute crash course of the famine/rising etc etc, they were genuinely shocked.

My favourite was two essex lads, absolutely thick as planks, who thought EVERYONE in Ireland was a pikey because they lived near a halting site in essex full of Irish and because of films like snatch.....im not kidding.

ejmaztec

df1985 wrote: »

Worked in Tenerife for a few summers, 90% of the other staff were english. A lot of them thought we were british, while many simply didnt have a notion of their history, they used to ask me things like "why do Irish hate us so much?" Id give a ten minute crash course of the famine/rising etc etc, they were genuinely shocked.

My favourite was two essex lads, absolutely thick as planks, who thought EVERYONE in Ireland was a pikey because they lived near a halting site in essex full of Irish and because of films like snatch.....im not kidding.

Years ago, they assumed that every Irish person was in the IRA, and was going to blow them up, so the modern pikey assumption is probably a slight improvement.

Fratton Fred

ejmaztec wrote: »

Years ago, they assumed that every Irish person was in the IRA, and was going to blow them up, so the modern pikey assumption is probably a slight improvement.

Wot no Leprechauns?

Fratton Fred

hondasam wrote: »

That is true but only people who have no interest in other countries.

Indeed, but in true AH fashion, as I once met one person who thought this, I am obliged to label the entire country accordingly.

Sisko

Its just the usual ignorance we see from over there. Its nothing to do with a silent invasion or a claim, they literally think they do own us and see little difference between us and Scotland.

I've spoken to people from the UK who despite having visited dublin and had to change currency to the Euro, have refereed to Briton as Ireland's main land and was convinced we were in the UK.

The UK really is the US of europe when it comes to this kinda thing. And it is pretty insulting considering the history. As well as the fact that they are right beside us.

Fratton Fred wrote: »

It amazes me how many people here think England comprises Britain, Scotland and Wales and that the four nationalities of the UK are Northern Irish, British, Welsh and Scotch.

People will make a slip of the tongue often when refering to Briton or The British as English or England.

Same as how in the 80's people would say Russians when talking about the Soviet Union. This isnt a lack of knowledge, directly quizz any of these people and they will display full knowledge of the correct naming.

Its not the same as thinking you own the country beside you. Despite that countries fight for freedom from you being world famous.

It's a bit ridiculous.

Rabies

jc84 wrote: »

most companies don't include ireland on their websites, hardly worth the bother really

Or its grouped under UK & Ireland.
Not a major problem if done right.
As someone already pointed out, at times there is no need for a dedicated Irish office. Even if there was an Irish number to call, it would prob get redirected.

But for a large company to make silly mistake like this, it is embarrassing, but nothing to get too offended over.

Latchy

GizAGoOfYerGee wrote: »

I lived in the UK for 2 years. You'd be surprised how many people there think that Ireland is in the UK.

It partially because for centuries they have being brought up with the concept of britishness and empire of which the whole of Ireland was once a part so many don't understand as such our concept of being a republic because they don't have to learn the whole 800 years of of Irish history in their schools and colleges

Luxie wrote: »

I think in fairness, most of them have an idea. I lived in London for ten years which obviously it's pretty cosmopolitan. Because of the huge mix of nationalities, they don't really see us as being 'foreign' as such. As in we speak the same language, have similar interests, etc. Not necessarily because they 'claim' us. That was my experience anyway.

I agree and I think that's were a lot of Irish people get confused to with in same way that some British don't see us as foreign and think all of Ireland is part of UK .Also giving that we are two neighboring countries and have great business and trade interests ,it's understandable how people in both island make mistakes