The internet went into something of a meltdown early this week when Durex announced that they’re attempting to introduce an aubergine-flavoured condom into your sex life.
Spurned by the success of the aubergine (or eggplant if you insist on being American about it) emoji, which can largely be attributed to its phallic similarities, it appeared that Durex had decided the time was right to unleash a rubber dedicated to the enormous vegetable.
This is how the news that the mighty aubergine would be joining strawberry, banana and orange in the condom maker’s flavour arsenal was broken to the world.
https://twitter.com/durex/status/772771914972536832
Even if the aubergine is a sort of mascot for the millennial generation, its sex appeal is niche at best. It’s no surprise, then, that the internet wasn’t all that supportive.
HIDEOUS Durex, what you playing at? 😷🍆🍆🍆🍆
— Francesca 🌙✨ (@francescajayne_) September 5, 2016
*Brainstorming session*
Researcher: Ok guys, what tastes better than dicks? Nigel..?
Nigel (looking up from sexting): Eggplant?
— KJ Lewis (@OneFistintheAir) September 5, 2016
How to stop everyone from having sex ever again https://t.co/l73CPs6ypw
— Poulomi Das (@PouloCruelo) September 5, 2016
The evolution of Humans has ended in THIS!!! https://t.co/GYmqPUtHre
— Arvinder Gujral (@arvindergujral) September 5, 2016
why?
— tom (@_tcole210) September 5, 2016
One guy thought the condom’s fate may well hinge upon how the aubergine had been prepared.
.@durex hi guys, just a quick one. How have you prepared and cooked the aubergine? Thanks.
— Josh Barrie (@joshbythesea) September 5, 2016
Need to know how Durex has cooked the aubergine. Hope it's charred over a griddle with olive oil and lemon. Ok bye. https://t.co/xkLunJvs3Q
— Josh Barrie (@joshbythesea) September 5, 2016
But mostly it was just outright disgust.
Delete this.
— Maurice 🇯🇲🇧🇧 (@myles_morris) September 5, 2016
But in what will come as a relief to all of the aubergine detractors, Durex have since come out and explained that it was all just a marketing stunt; one that actually ties in with a pretty important conversation they’ve been trying to have for a while.
The emoji versions of hot dogs, cucumbers, peaches and, of course, aubergines are all sexting staples, but there still isn’t a condom emoji. Durex wants this to change, as they think encouraging young people to talk about sex in a language they relate to could get more of them choosing to use protection.
“The idea of an Eggplant condom coming from Durex is pretty absurd,” the brand’s global director Volker Sydow told The Drum in a statement. “But it is not as absurd as the fact that there is no emoji that enables young people to discuss safe sex easily in this language.
“We want to thank all the supporters of the condom emoji and assure everyone that we will continue to champion communication about safe sex in all forms.”
As you were.
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