Tomorrow, 14 February, is Valentine’s Day. To lovers, it is a day of celebration. To some fringe groups, it is a ‘bad western influence’ on our culture. Opposition to Valentine’s Day is as much in existence as is its approval. So while gifts and other tokens of expression of love are selling like hot cakes, there are groups busy issuing warnings against any kind of Valentine’s Day celebration.
In between all of this, a video of a Sikh shoe seller is going viral for all the right reasons. He is not preaching in favour of or against Valentine’s Day; all he is seen doing is drawing attention to a very important issue – consent. And while he is at it, he shows that is a true marketing genius.
Speaking in fluent Punjabi, the young Sikh man says that expressing love is okay but consent is paramount. He says that every man wants to express his love but it is up to the woman to decide if she accepts the proposal.
The man then addresses the women telling them that if any man harasses, stalks or acts without their consent, they should beat them up with their footwear.
At this point, he introduces his range of footwear for women and gives the address of his shop from where women can buy the shoes.
That’s pure genius!
Watch the video:
This is by far the best, most entertaining ad I’ve seen in some time. #ValentinesDay #Punjabi pic.twitter.com/ZWO0BHkArs
— Ankur Bhardwaj (@Bhayankur) February 6, 2018
Many are praising the shoe seller for the smart but significant video:
i love this so much
— Imaan Sheikh 🌈 (@sheikhimaan) February 6, 2018
Sardar has a degree in marketing 😉
— Inexplicable (@Acmaljavaid) February 6, 2018
Creative
— Farhan Shah (@farhanindian) February 6, 2018
Excellent
— Inderjit Singh (@ShowbizSingh) February 6, 2018