Does Häagen-Dazs discriminate against Indians?

akshay4587 · 17th December 2009, 15:45

You need to show your passport to grab a Ice cream in your own country,and i think i had seen it all

Proxima · 17th December 2009, 16:23

From the TOI article:

Quote:

Especially, since it plans to open 30 to 40 outlets in the next few years.

I am sure I will not enter that store if it opens in Chennai.

There is no way that they could have done this unintentionally. Since they cant say "Only for foreigners", they said "Only for International passport holders".

sidkun · 17th December 2009, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Proxima

From the TOI article:

I am sure I will not enter that store if it opens in Chennai.

There is no way that they could have done this unintentionally. Since they cant say "Only for foreigners", they said "Only for International passport holders".

OTOH, one way of getting back at them is to enter the store, along with a large number of your friends, and then buy nothing. Since they purportedly refused admission to the person in the article because the place was jam packed, the best way to get back is to have lots of footfalls but no sales.

Shan2nu · 17th December 2009, 17:04

Maybe all the Delhi bhpians should pay this place a visit, together!!! LOL

Shan2nu

pradster · 17th December 2009, 17:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shan2nu

Maybe all the Delhi bhpians should pay this place a visit, together!!! LOL

Shan2nu

Yesterday, while I was at select city walk, I thought I should go in, demand to see the manager and then give him a piece of mind ( using some colorful language, mind you) ending with a nice one finger salute.
I could not as the lady with me would have never talked to me again. I think I should have done that, in retrospect :P

amitk26 · 17th December 2009, 17:30

I bet their Franchisee in Delhi twist the pronunciation a bit to make it palatable to customers ,May be this is the reason they never advertise on TV

Samurai · 17th December 2009, 17:32

Just wondering about the original story. Ramit, the guy with the changed name, did he actually try to enter and was denied permission or he merely interpreted he was not allowed and called up the journo friend?

It could have been a case of bad implementation of a clever idea. Imagine a restaurant with Startrek Theme with a board "Only Vulcans allowed". No earthling would throw a fit at that because real Vulcans don't exist. These guys may have tried something similar for International Theme, by saying only International passport holders are allowed.

Often racism is just perception. I know a senior Indian immigrant in NJ who was mistaken to be anti-semite because he had a swastika on his work table. Nobody bought his story that it was a Hindu sacred symbol.

naveenroy · 17th December 2009, 19:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai

Imagine a restaurant with Startrek Theme with a board "Only Vulcans allowed". No earthling would throw a fit at that because real Vulcans don't exist. These guys may have tried something similar for International Theme, by saying only International passport holders are allowed.

Hahaha, true. I am not sure a "famous" brand like this planning to open up many outlets in India would be openly "racist" like this!. Closet "racists" are everywhere, in fact, I would say our country is actually full of them. This seems like just a goof-up at this end, probably by some dude who just wanted people to take a second look. Well, he sure made them.

vivekiny2k · 17th December 2009, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by akshay4587

You need to show your passport to NOT grab a Ice cream in your own country,and i think i had seen it all

you forgot the NOT.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai

It could have been a case of bad implementation of a clever idea. Imagine a restaurant with Startrek Theme with a board "Only Vulcans allowed". No earthling would throw a fit at that because real Vulcans don't exist. These guys may have tried something similar for International Theme, by saying only International passport holders are allowed.

"exclusive preview for international travelers. access restricted to holders of international passports only" doesn't sound like anything subtle or clever.

Samurai · 17th December 2009, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivekiny2k

"exclusive preview for international travelers. access restricted to holders of international passports only" doesn't sound like anything subtle or clever.

Only if you take it literally. That is why I asked whether this Ramit fellow actually tried to enter the place and was denied.

Samir Taheer · 17th December 2009, 20:28

If you look at the whole advert is does say - At the French Riviera? Welcome.

I would think its Haggen Daz trying to portray itself as an international brand and if your an Indian thinking your in the French Riviera - Than your an international traveler with an international passport.

If thats what they meant, then i guess they could have worded it a bit better. If they did not allow people into the store because they were Indian Citizen, then i think the outcry is called for.

ashwinsid · 21st December 2009, 22:36

I had sent a mail to Haagen Dazs. Here is their reply:

from Anu Bhatia <.......@genmills.com>
to
date Fri, Dec 18, 2009 at 3:00 PM
subject General Contact: HD Shop: 2009/12/17-2285IN JEP
mailed-by genmills.com

Dear Mr.

At the outset, we thank you for writing to us, and appreciate your message. There have been some reports on various online media alleging that the recently opened Häagen-Dazs shop in New Delhi, India, denied access to Indians. We vehemently and categorically deny this. Häagen-Dazs products and our Häagen-Dazs shop in India are and will always be for our consumers in India.

The recently opened Häagen-Dazs shop is open to one and all, and there’s no question of barring entry to anyone on any basis. The preview on Thursday, 10th December had a morning media event which was attended by journalists of repute from Indian media. The same evening we had a launch party for our friends and families, less than 5% of whom were foreigners. Also, during the mock training days at the shop leading up to 10th December, a lot of interest was generated and hundreds of walk-ins were given free samples of our ice cream. The store is now open to all public and seeing brisk business.

The poster in question was part of initial local store communication at a few locations within the same mall announcing the opening of the new Häagen-Dazs shop in the mall. The message was intended to suggest that you can enjoy, for instance, a taste of the French Riviera without traveling to France – by enjoying Häagen-Dazs. Unfortunately the reference to the international passport holder on the poster may have led to a significant miscommunication. This was completely unintended. It was a wrong choice of words, and we regret the error. We sincerely apologize for creating this misimpression that may have hurt our sentiments as Indians.

Regards,

Consumer Relations Manager

General Mills India

aerohit · 22nd December 2009, 00:19

Comon guys !

If they dont want Indians, they have the right to do that. May be there is a scientific purpose behind it and may be they are conducting some research. Why is the poster crying baby? Indians get offended so easily and act whiny baby all the time.

If they dont want you, it is good for you. If you give them Rs 500 for an ice cream, they become rich by Rs 500, and you become poorer by Rs500. So save your money, and let them go bankrupt!

Indians work so hard to make Nike and Tommy Hilfiger become rich, for clothes that dont even fit or look good on them, haha.

khan75 · 22nd December 2009, 00:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerohit

Indians work so hard to make Nike and Tommy Hilfiger become rich, for clothes that dont even fit or look good on them, haha.

That's come out of left field! Not sure what you meant by that?

vkochar · 23rd December 2009, 12:08

I was in Select Citywalk on Saturday & Sunday. I crossed the shop a number of times. They have opened it right in the start of the mall ( Near the gate ) which leads to the other mall. So it is a corner shop.

You should have seen the crowd there ! It was packed. I looked at the menu just for fun sake and a normal 2 scoop in a waffle cone cost 425 Rupees !!!

It looks like the controversy actually helped them with a lot of curious delhi wallas going there .

I thought their menu was horrible. I am not going in there ever. I had rather pay 150 rupees for the Gelato or Baskin Robbins Sundae.

17th December 2009, 15:45	#31
akshay4587 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chandigarh/Mohali/Ambala Cantt Posts: 4,151 Thanked: 4,525 Times View My Garage	You need to show your passport to grab a Ice cream in your own country,and i think i had seen it all
	() Thanks

17th December 2009, 17:04	#34
Shan2nu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hubli - Karnata Posts: 5,533 Thanked: 125 Times View My Garage	Maybe all the Delhi bhpians should pay this place a visit, together!!! LOL Shan2nu
	() Thanks

17th December 2009, 17:30	#36
amitk26 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,089 Thanked: 715 Times	I bet their Franchisee in Delhi twist the pronunciation a bit to make it palatable to customers ,May be this is the reason they never advertise on TV
	() Thanks

17th December 2009, 17:32	#37
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Bangalore/Udupi Posts: 25,831 Thanked: 45,607 Times View My Garage	Just wondering about the original story. Ramit, the guy with the changed name, did he actually try to enter and was denied permission or he merely interpreted he was not allowed and called up the journo friend? It could have been a case of bad implementation of a clever idea. Imagine a restaurant with Startrek Theme with a board "Only Vulcans allowed". No earthling would throw a fit at that because real Vulcans don't exist. These guys may have tried something similar for International Theme, by saying only International passport holders are allowed. Often racism is just perception. I know a senior Indian immigrant in NJ who was mistaken to be anti-semite because he had a swastika on his work table. Nobody bought his story that it was a Hindu sacred symbol.
	() Thanks

17th December 2009, 20:28	#41
Samir Taheer BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: London & Pune Posts: 459 Thanked: 278 Times	If you look at the whole advert is does say - At the French Riviera? Welcome. I would think its Haggen Daz trying to portray itself as an international brand and if your an Indian thinking your in the French Riviera - Than your an international traveler with an international passport. If thats what they meant, then i guess they could have worded it a bit better. If they did not allow people into the store because they were Indian Citizen, then i think the outcry is called for.
	() Thanks

21st December 2009, 22:36	#42
ashwinsid BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 181 Thanked: 34 Times	I had sent a mail to Haagen Dazs. Here is their reply: from Anu Bhatia <.......@genmills.com> to date Fri, Dec 18, 2009 at 3:00 PM subject General Contact: HD Shop: 2009/12/17-2285IN JEP mailed-by genmills.com Dear Mr. At the outset, we thank you for writing to us, and appreciate your message. There have been some reports on various online media alleging that the recently opened Häagen-Dazs shop in New Delhi, India, denied access to Indians. We vehemently and categorically deny this. Häagen-Dazs products and our Häagen-Dazs shop in India are and will always be for our consumers in India. The recently opened Häagen-Dazs shop is open to one and all, and there’s no question of barring entry to anyone on any basis. The preview on Thursday, 10th December had a morning media event which was attended by journalists of repute from Indian media. The same evening we had a launch party for our friends and families, less than 5% of whom were foreigners. Also, during the mock training days at the shop leading up to 10th December, a lot of interest was generated and hundreds of walk-ins were given free samples of our ice cream. The store is now open to all public and seeing brisk business. The poster in question was part of initial local store communication at a few locations within the same mall announcing the opening of the new Häagen-Dazs shop in the mall. The message was intended to suggest that you can enjoy, for instance, a taste of the French Riviera without traveling to France – by enjoying Häagen-Dazs. Unfortunately the reference to the international passport holder on the poster may have led to a significant miscommunication. This was completely unintended. It was a wrong choice of words, and we regret the error. We sincerely apologize for creating this misimpression that may have hurt our sentiments as Indians. Regards, Consumer Relations Manager General Mills India
	() Thanks

22nd December 2009, 00:19	#43
aerohit BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: India Posts: 978 Thanked: 981 Times	Comon guys ! If they dont want Indians, they have the right to do that. May be there is a scientific purpose behind it and may be they are conducting some research. Why is the poster crying baby? Indians get offended so easily and act whiny baby all the time. If they dont want you, it is good for you. If you give them Rs 500 for an ice cream, they become rich by Rs 500, and you become poorer by Rs500. So save your money, and let them go bankrupt! Indians work so hard to make Nike and Tommy Hilfiger become rich, for clothes that dont even fit or look good on them, haha.
	() Thanks

23rd December 2009, 12:08	#45
vkochar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Delhi / Agra / London Posts: 2,146 Thanked: 819 Times View My Garage	I was in Select Citywalk on Saturday & Sunday. I crossed the shop a number of times. They have opened it right in the start of the mall ( Near the gate ) which leads to the other mall. So it is a corner shop. You should have seen the crowd there ! It was packed. I looked at the menu just for fun sake and a normal 2 scoop in a waffle cone cost 425 Rupees !!! It looks like the controversy actually helped them with a lot of curious delhi wallas going there . I thought their menu was horrible. I am not going in there ever. I had rather pay 150 rupees for the Gelato or Baskin Robbins Sundae.
	() Thanks