You’re absolutely right, Heidi. Advertising differs so much around the world–and this is a clear example of that. It just took me by complete surprise, as I didn’t expect to see that sort of thing in an airport–a very international place where the possibility of offending someone could be extremely high. I also agree that standards in the U.S. are much more conservative when it comes to this type of thing. Thanks for your comment!

Ah Laurie…it's so European, though! Oddly enough, we Americans are rather puritanical compared to our counterparts abroad. This isn't only true in the advertisements splashed in front of our eyes, but it's also true in many of our social/cultural standards. I'm not saying I agree with it, but I have noticed it many times and in many places. (See the following Wiki link for our prim and proper friends across the pond: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Page_Three ).

I agree with Heidi – Europe in general has always been thought to have been ‘more progressive’ when it comes to the social forum of what is and what is not appropriate. Often times, they are they trend setters and America is (sometimes sadly) lagging in that regard. Did you happen to glance at a newspaper while there? I pose a question to your question(s): in which, if any, public domain would such forward advertising be more appropriate based on our American prospective?

It’s certainly true that other parts of the world sometimes push the envelope when it comes to what’s appropriate in advertising. I don’t necessarily view the U.S. as “lagging behind” but rather the U.S. mentality is oftentimes more conservative. I was able to look at some newspapers and magazines while I was abroad, but unfortunately many were in other languages that I do not speak.

In answering your question, I think this type of advertising is better suited for certain types of facilities–bars, nightclubs, etc.–instead of a public space where this could be offensive to some. Of course, there are also specific print media, websites and TV channels that feature these types of ads–which have different guidelines (in my mind) when it comes to appropriate advertising.

Thanks for commenting!

One part of your post jumped out at me. “a very international place where the possibility of offending someone could be extremely high.”
I have noticed that this is really an American attribute. Few places outside of America go to such great lengths as we do to be non offensive. While serving in the military, most places I visited had a “this is the way we do it here” attitude. Perhaps the American outlook isn’t quite so much conservative or puritanical, but rather accommodating to cultural sensitivities across a wider base, even more so than more “progressive” societies.

Thanks for your input, Charles. And I think you bring up a very interesting point here. Are Americans simply more culturally sensitive or are they, in fact, more conservative? This is certainly a debatable topic. Personally, I think it’s a combination of the two. Maybe it’s because Americans are culturally aware and sensitive, that they, in turn, become more conservative in their advertising.

Would you have the same reaction, or just to a lesser extent, if you saw those ads in a bar or club?

I think the biggest issue I had with these particular ads were their placement. If I saw these advertisements in a bar or nightclub, chances are, I wouldn’t even notice them. There are so many provocative ads at those venues–it simply wouldn’t seem out of the ordinary or nearly as inappropriate. Another distinction here is that bars and nightclubs usually have age restrictions, whereas people walk around the airport with small children.