With a population of 1.38 billion, tapping into the huge market in China is something that many brands want to aim for.
Recently, a short commercial by Sands Resorts Macao featuring brand ambassador – former football star David Beckham
received a lot of criticism from the online community because David used Mandarin in the film, while in Macau, the main language of the people is Cantonese.
With a population of 1.38 billion, tapping into the huge market in China is something that many brands want to aim for.
Recently, a short commercial by Sands Resorts Macao featuring brand ambassador – former football star David Beckham received a lot of criticism from the online community
because David used Mandarin in the film, while in Macau, the main language of the people is Cantonese.
The commercial was shot in Macau, in which David Beckham and famous actors from China and Hong Kong such as Law Lan, Lam Tuyet… went together to find the best egg tart. Egg tarts are a cake originating from Portugal, and have long been a famous specialty in Macau – a former Portuguese colony.
After the film was released, many Macau people were extremely angry and disappointed, even going to David Beckham’s Facebook page to curse.
“Cantonese is our mother tongue. We write and read in traditional characters. I know you are not involved in the political conflict between Hong Kong and Macau, but this film really says nothing about Macau,” one person commented.
In China, people speak Mandarin and write in simplified characters, while in Cantonese-speaking areas such as Hong Kong and Macau, traditional characters are used.
“I don’t mind you speaking Mandarin. “But if a British person wants to be friendly to the people of Macau, please speak Cantonese. Otherwise, it would be better to use English,” wrote another.
“I know you are just doing what you are told and have probably spent a lot of time learning Mandarin but this ad really annoys me,” one person expressed sympathy for the former football star.
A Facebook user went even further: “Dear Mr. David Beckham, about the ad, here are a few things I want you to know:
1. We Macau people only speak Cantonese or Portuguese.
2. Portuguese egg tarts and traditional egg tarts are two completely different things.
3. Please respect our culture when you are trying to make friends and make money from China. Best regards!”
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Source: Tampa Bay Times
