Comments on: Ikea Saudi Arabia Photoshops Women From Catalog

By: m9q5Fig

m9q5Fig — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 01:37:00 +0000

That’s not what intolerance is. If a company wants to adapt their publication to local conventions, even if it is self-censoring, that’s entirely up to them.

Now, you can come along and say that their traditions and values are bullshit and that they should stop being so retarded. And you certainly would have a point. But that doesn’t make you more tolerant, it makes you IN-tolerant because you’re telling other people what they should and shouldn’t be doing.

By: Steven Erat

Steven Erat — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 19:23:00 +0000

Agreed. The second image used for each comparison is not a result of retouching the first one. They are distinct images captured separately. One with people, one without. In some cases, the second image may be a composite of the image having people with an image without the people.

Take for example, the blue dining room scene (ikea-saudi-arabia-photoshop-4.png) Notice the alignment of chairs on one side of the table with objects on the far side of the table. Objects no where near the people change the alignment between images. It is obvious that they are distinct images, not a retouched/clone/healed version of the other.

By: yahoo-FJMAVE4BFYYSRCKH574DYQBAJE

yahoo-FJMAVE4BFYYSRCKH574DYQBAJE — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:01:00 +0000

They don’t respect your religion or your manners, Tamim. They just put up with your crap so they can sell you their crap.

Companies this big should be aware of their influence and have not only a business plan, but principles which are not for sale.

Also, as a saudi photography, It would be very interesting to know what are the limitations you face in your job, what are you allowed to do and what not?

By: MariosKarampalis

MariosKarampalis — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 00:11:00 +0000

How sad is the culture of a people to equate with religion!
Culture is a set of many factors and religion is one factor equal with everyone else (language, music, history etc.) but nothing more. A piece of the puzzle that determines our personality rather total. This is medieval, your whole culture consist only of a religion, whatever it is!

By: Alan Peart

Alan Peart — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 20:31:00 +0000

A pity that no Saudi Arabian women have been able to comment on this thread but luckily several of their male counterparts have turned up to assure us that this is all OK. Nothing to see here, move along…

By: Bryan Petty

Bryan Petty — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 17:29:00 +0000

Taxing is corruption

By: Bryan Petty

Bryan Petty — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 17:28:00 +0000

Agreed, shareholders interest in priority numbero uno, no matter how you look at it.

By: Bryan Petty

Bryan Petty — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 17:26:00 +0000

They seem to be doing well in sales, the idea behind Ikea was affordable furniture that could be packed and shipped anywhere at the most effective and efficient way possible. So light weighht materials, your own assembly, and etc.. as allowed them to make their furniture price point very low. You don’t have to buy it, they aren’t making you, but I know they have a lot of satisfied customers and an extremely praised business plan.

By: Michael O'Donnell

Michael O'Donnell — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 17:10:00 +0000

Dear People of the World,

We manufacture and sell furniture. Our goal is to sell the stuff we make for more than it costs to make it. That’s it; that is all we do. Don’t over-think it.

Sincerely,

IKEA

By: DuvyK

DuvyK — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 16:27:00 +0000

I see the point you are making Ahmad, but I have to disagree. I think IKEA damages it’s global brand in this case, just look at the negative press it has recieved as of late. Of course you could argue that any press is good press, but I don’t believe this was a particularly smart business move. I support respect for other religions and cultures, but not at the expense of 50% of the world’s population. A company can’t pick and choose where/when they are going to support women, they either do or they don’t. I really don’t think this is the same as choosing to serve pork or not :)