With recent events in France, the “Twitter Sugar Outrage” story was largely lost. However it is a story that needs sharing and is one that no doubt will divide readers!
The Twitter ‘row’ started when beauty queen Elena Raouna tweeted Lord Sugar: “Evening sugar 😉 can I call you that? Lol.” Lord Sugar responded: “yes no problem as long as I can call you fatty.” The businessman later responded to another follower who waded into the row by asking whether there was “any need to reply in that manner” by saying: “get stuffed and mind your own business.” A full ‘report’ of the ‘row’ is here.
I am no fan of personal insults, particularly on a public arena – of which Twitter is one. Lord Sugar could have chosen to ignore the tweet, but he chose not to. BUT Ms Raouna chose to send a tweet that Lord Sugar MIGHT have thought overstepped the mark. Roauna’s “cheeky tweet” could also have been perceived as ‘overstepping the mark’. Although Lord Sugar is a public figure, she doesn’t know him and many people would argue that she shouldn’t have been so direct.
Lord Sugar’s side kick on The Apprentice, Baroness Karren Brady tells a story of when she first became Managing Director of Birmingham City Football Club, aged 23. Baroness Brady said that when she met the squad, one Birmingham player quipped: “I can see your tits in that shirt”, to which Brady replied: “Well, don’t worry, when I sell you to Crewe, you won’t be able to see them from there, will you?” He was transferred soon after.
I am sure some people will think that’s outrageous: not only sexist but also very rude to your new boss and Brady set the mark very early on that she was taking no nonsense. Even if you want to show off to your team mates, that sort of comment is not a good career move as demonstrated by his transfer soon after.
It is unlikely an apprentice on the BBC programme would dare to say that to Lord Sugar’s face; he is pretty swift at correcting people when they address him incorrectly. Some silly tweeter addressing him incorrectly, even with a ‘LOL’ is going to receive a quick retort; anyone watching the programme will know that. This was an immature person thinking it was great fun to show off in front of her friends – rather like the Birmingham football player. Oh how we LOL’ed. If you insult someone else, you have to be prepared to take it. There’s no point moaning about it; you shouldn’t have tweeted him in the first place!
Again we can see that Twitter, like other social media, is public and if you are openly rude to someone else, others see it. It is unlikely Raouna would have said that to Lord Sugar’s face, so don’t do it via Twitter. That is unless you want to create a Twitter Sugar Outrage.
Blue Monday: Smile and have fun!
I’m with you on this Susan, as it is important that we remember – if you won’t say it to their face, then why do it via Twitter or any of the other Social Media. Thank you for your well written blog x
Thank you for your comment Irene. It’s good to know that someone agrees with me! There’s a lot to be said for the saying “If you can’t take it, don’t dish it out”.
There was a ruckus because someone was called by their last name? Sheesh! I think he’s very up himself and thinking he’s in some kind of gangster movie instead of on Twitter.
LOL! You know what you’re going to get with Sugar; if you send a silly comment, expect a response from him. Some CLEBS would ignore an inane tweet but clearly not LS! Thanks for your comment.
Her initial tweet was ignorant and rude to begin with. I fail to understand why she would ask if she could call him by his surname, if she wanted some form of perceived familiarity, surely she should have said “hello Alan, can I call you that?” She also used a lower case ‘s’, another insult.
On the other hand, as a peer of the realm Lord Sugar should have ignored it or replied “I prefer you don’t call me sugar (sic) but please call me Alan if you like”. The resulting publicity would’ve been very different.
Lovely blog Susan, belated happy birthday by the way.
Thanks ever so much for commenting and for my birthday greetings! I couldn’t agree more Paul. Her initial tweet was wrong on many levels. He could easily have ignored the insulting tweet, but did himself no favours by responding. Neither person comes out well.
While I think she was rude, if he is on Twitter, he should know that it’s a platform that attracts familiarity and he’d would have been better off ignoring her!
Thanks for your comment Corinne. Good point. It shows how etiquette on Social Media isn’t yet ‘set’. The number of times I hear grumbles that someone is posting spam on Facebook accounts or self promoting 😉