I was thinking about writing some slightly-culturally-insensitive post about those subway ads for Trolman, Glaser, and Lichtman
, you know that law firm which specializes in representing Latinos and that has the phone number, 1-800-Margarita (not to be confused with 1-800-Tequila). I was gonna write something perhaps-ill-advised like, “Why isn’t the number 1-800-pinatas?” or “1-800-julioiglesias.” But thankfully I found this comment entitled, “1-800-KISS-MY-ASS” on the NYC Rants blog that is way way better, enjoy:
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Dear Trolman, Glaser, and Lichtman,
While I understand the use of mnemonic devices to help the public remember phone numbers, I must object to “1-800-MARGARITA”, the number listed for the firm in your Spanish subway ads. It strikes me as very unprofessional for a law firm to use such a silly, condescending number. Is this the only way you can think of for the Hispanic community to remember your number? To make it the name of possibly the only person in your firm who speaks Spanish? One who is likely some receptionist from the Bronx with three illegitimate children that handles the bulk of the case while having no business doing so? Would a Spanish speaking client even meet with Mr. Trolman, Mr. Glaser, or Mr. Lichtman? Three gentlemen, who I would guess, are not Hispanic, but nevertheless represent the “number one law firm for injured Hispanics”?
I’d like to see what phone number is printed on the business cards your firm distributes to your affluent, white clients. I’ll bet the farm that it’s not 1-800-MARGARITA.
I’m a hispanic new yorker and disagree with you, this firm has and is still doing more for the hispanic community than other law firms in the city of new york. They are helping the community in pro-bono cases in various legal matters, they sponsor hispanic little league teams and are also doing the same for the “white” clients they represent. In short, they stand behind Margarita and while she is the face of the firm, believe me everyone in the firm is pulling for the injured in nyc not only the hispanic community, but all ethnicities.
The post against the ad is more condescending towards hispanics than the ad itself.
I must admit, I also find the ads a little offensive. I am a Hispanic attorney and it seems tacky at best and insensitive at worst. On the other hand, if it works, it works…
yo tube un accidete dentro un D&B en pittsburgh P,A y quisiera saber si pueden ayudarme con mi caso o recomendarme un representante
I was always under the impression that it’s 1-800-margarita because their spanish speaking secretary a long time ago was named, you guessed it, Margarita. So you could just call up Margarita, she’ll help you out. It wasn’t named after the drink or some awful stereotype. I find it appalling that someone would think to openly complain about this without just calling them first and asking. How hard would that investigation be? I assume you own a telephone…
If only I wasn’t 3-4 years late…
Why she has to be from the bronx with 3 ilegitimate kids, why couldn’t she be a lawyer like the others,I think this comment is much wrost and even more rasist then the comercial has ever been, if this lawyers help the hispanic comunity then bless them, is more then we can all say about your comment discriminating hispanics.
Being an “hispanic” myself (I don’t like the term, but that discussion if for another post), I lived 5 years in NJ and found the 1-800-MARGARITA ads very funny, kitsch actually. Specially the TV ads, with people saying “esta crackeado!” (he is on crack!) But I always associated the word Margarita with the (female) name, not with the drink, and I didn’t see any offense on the name.
Moreover, as a marketing tool, it really, really works! I left the USA five years ago and I still remember 1-800-MARGARITA!!!
hi my name carmen natal marrero my brother is in the hosp. since 2/2011
he was hit by the f train. he now at mt sinai hosp. neiece angie natal she has been making the medical decision since this started. I feel she has made the wrong decision. i am the second proxy my brother has been living with me for the pass fiftenen years. please can u help me.
718 350-6139
Read a book on the train next time!
Mi nombre es amador suarez, necesito ayuda. Necesito saber si puedo poner una demanda en contra de la ciudad o en contra de quien. Tuve un asalto, me quitaron mis pertenencias y me dejaron una herida en la frente y también daños sicologicos. La cicatriz que tengo en la frente a veces me da mareos dolor y otra cosas mas que me gustaría mas explicarselos en persona. Hojala me puedan ayudar y espero la respuesta pronto. Gracias.