Dieppe — Dieppe, N.B. is home to more than 25,000 people. Three-quarters of the city’s residents are bilingual, but Darlene Parson isn’t one of them. So when she was delivered French-only coupons for Burger King, she was upset enough to make a big stink about it in the media.
“I’m not one to complain,” said the woman who just last week called all local news outlets to whine that a letter carrier had smiled and called out “bonjour” to her and not “hello/bonjour” when strolling past her place, “but we’re a bilingual province and I expect to be advertised to in both official languages at all times.
“Had they been English-only coupons, I would have had concerns as well,” Parson continued, obviously bullshitting. “French and English people both have the right to know that the ‘WHOPPER meal for 2’ is just $7. I mean, yes, the coupons all had pictures of the food on them with prices in huge block lettering, but the fine print was in French and what if there was some pertinent information about the expiry date or something in there?
“I’m just at a complete loss. Honestly, what the heck is ‘Le Roi’?”
Parson called Burger King headquarters to complain, and received the following emailed response:
“Dear Consumer,
At Burger King, we pride ourselves on service to our customers. Our King Deals Value Menu and our ever-expanding breakfast menu — now including our DOUBLE CROISSAN’WICH™ with Double Bacon — will let you have it your way, all day. After all, your way to order the WHOPPER® sandwich is always the best way.
Sincerely,
BK, Where the Customer is King!”
“Well, that doesn’t answer any of my questions!” cried Parson. “And did you notice that the email is in English only? What if I were French and wanted to read it?!?”
Parson’s husband Jack is francophone, and frequents the Burger King on Paul Street at least weekly, and he suggested that perhaps the coupons were delivered more for his benefit than his wife’s.
“Honey, I can’t understand you when you speak French at me,” said Parson, irate. “Here, take this coupon and go redeem it. If you can make any sense of it.”
Parson herself doesn’t care for the chain, but said it’s the principle of the matter.
“Heavens no,” she said, scrunching her face up in disgust. “I wouldn’t eat there. Gross.”