Bloomingdale's apologizes for 'date rape' reference in holiday ad

If Bill Cosby’s downfall has taught us anything, it’s that you shouldn’t put things in peoples’ beverages without their knowledge or consent.

Apparently Bloomingdale’s didn’t get the memo.

Check out this holiday-themed ad from the brand:

#Bloomingdales encourages you to date rape your friend for the holidays http://pic.twitter.com/o1Rz4JVMgO

— Natalie Bee (@ghostinmarble) November 11, 2015

The text of the ad reads, “Spike your best friend’s eggnog when they’re not looking,” as a man stares at a chuckling woman holding a clutch in one hand and what we can only assume is a disgusting glass of non-spiked eggnog.

How much do you want to bet someone at Bloomingdale’s this week uttered the phrase, “Who approved this?”

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I’ll give you one guess as to the Twitter reaction (hint: It rhymes with “schnegative”).

#Bloomingdales says to spike a friend’s eggnog when they’re not looking. Horrific and offensive. Especially if it’s in a plain red cup.

— Brian Rush (@BrianRushNYC) November 11, 2015

Nice, #Bloomingdales is Bill Cosby writing your ad copy now? http://pic.twitter.com/XRqSG2oEVH

— Thomas Keister (@thomaskeister) November 12, 2015

Even if it wasn’t an insensitive fail, what does spiking eggnog even have to do with shopping at #Bloomingdales?

— PRettyWitty (@PRettyWittyNYC) November 12, 2015

Really?!? Spike your friend’s eggnog when they’re not looking? So now you’re promoting date rape? #Bloomingdales

— Daniell Rebeckah (@EyEofaNoMaD) November 12, 2015

Some will remember to boycott. More will think they’re ‘edgy banter’. Bloomingdales won’t be harmed by this. But women will. #Bloomingdales

— Jack Monroe (@DrJackMonroe) November 11, 2015

Whatever Bloomingdale’s was trying to promote with the ad probably had nothing to do with date rape. Yet, here we are.

The brand has apologized, because what else are you supposed to do in this situation?

We heard your feedback about our catalog copy, which was inappropriate and in poor taste. Bloomingdale’s sincerely apologizes.

— Bloomingdale’s (@Bloomingdales) November 10, 2015

Do you think it was enough to fix its oversight, Ragan.com readers? How does something like this get past an organization’s sensors?

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