Weird language on Virgin's booking site

[trainophile]

Having selected my journey, this popped up on the right of the page above my selections

Do future you a favour
Book now and save money

What on earth are they on about?

 

[najaB]

What on earth are they on about?

Did the journey planner or your shopping cart contain Advance tickets? If so, it's a cute way to say "Buy now while they are still available."

 

[eastwestdivide]

Having selected my journey, this popped up on the right of the page above my selections



What on earth are they on about?

'Do a favour for the future you'
might be a less confusing way of saying it. It took me a few moments to work out why the words were in that order
With mathematical brackets: 'Do (future you) (a favour)

 

[ComUtoR]

Possibly 'Do your future a favour'

 

[trainophile]

Thanks everyone. Another example of Virgin’s twee approach then . Do they not credit us with any intelligence? No need to answer that .

 

[DarloRich]

There is nothing wrong with the wording and it is perfectly clear what message is being delivered.

However, because it is slightly different and doesn't say book your advanced tickets now or some other approved conservative phrase it causes comment here.

There really is nothing to see here.

 

[gazthomas]

Hopefully the change of franchise will rid us of this juvenile nonsense

 

[Bantamzen]

Hopefully the change of franchise will rid us of this juvenile nonsense

Juvenile nonsense, or a changing language? Our language has been evolving and changing for as long as it has existed. Perhaps these phrases are one that are aimed more at the younger generation of passenger, and thought up by a younger generation of staff?

 

[trainophile]

Juvenile nonsense, or a changing language? Our language has been evolving and changing for as long as it has existed. Perhaps these phrases are one that are aimed more at the younger generation of passenger, and thought up by a younger generation of staff?

Do future you a favour like
Book now and save money like

 

[Bantamzen]

Do future you a favour like
Book now and save money like

You missed 'innit'...…

 

[eastwestdivide]

There is nothing wrong with the wording and it is perfectly clear what message is being delivered.

However, because it is slightly different and doesn't say book your advanced tickets now or some other approved conservative phrase it causes comment here.

There really is nothing to see here.

I'd argue that if an advertising message confuses people at first sight (which it did when I read it, and presumably it did the same for the OP), then there is something wrong with the wording. Clarity = good, ambiguity and confusion = bad, for advertisers at least. Doesn't have to be conservative or approved language, but it helps to be clear.
Unless they're playing the long game and trying to get people to talk about them, in which case - job done!

 

[najaB]

Unless they're playing the long game and trying to get people to talk about them, in which case - job done!

That is very much Virgin's strategy.

 

[Ethano92]

There always seems to be Virgin bashing on this forum but don't they consistently reach some of the highest customer satisfaction rates? I agree I had to read the phrase twice but it still made sense (especially if you imagine a loud, exaggerated guy of the average TV advert saying it)

 

[trainophile]

There always seems to be Virgin bashing on this forum but don't they consistently reach some of the highest customer satisfaction rates? I agree I had to read the phrase twice but it still made sense (especially if you imagine a loud, exaggerated guy of the average TV advert saying it)

Well I for one was confused dot com .

 

[Darandio]

You are now discussing it on the internet with others, mission accomplished for them.

 

[gazthomas]

It's not representative of language evolution, it's mumbo jumbo

Juvenile nonsense, or a changing language? Our language has been evolving and changing for as long as it has existed. Perhaps these phrases are one that are aimed more at the younger generation of passenger, and thought up by a younger generation of staff?

 

[gazthomas]

It's not representative of language evolution, it's mumbo jumbo. Language should be easy to interpret by all

Juvenile nonsense, or a changing language? Our language has been evolving and changing for as long as it has existed. Perhaps these phrases are one that are aimed more at the younger generation of passenger, and thought up by a younger generation of staff?

 

[najaB]

It's not representative of language evolution, it's mumbo jumbo. Language should be easy to interpret by all

Where it's something that has legal or similar impact, yes. Where advertising/branding fluff is concerned, less so.

 

[gazthomas]

Where it's something that has legal or similar impact, yes. Where advertising/branding fluff is concerned, less so.

And you find legal language easy to understand? I salute you!

 

[Bantamzen]

It's not representative of language evolution, it's mumbo jumbo. Language should be easy to interpret by all

To some maybe, but not to others, not that it matters too much for the Virgin brand at least. But it isn't going to change the fact that the language is always evolving, and it won't change the fact that some will always find issue with it instead of accepting that things don't stay the same.

 

[najaB]

And you find legal language easy to understand? I salute you!

I don't always, which is why plain English is such an important thing to promote.

 

[Geezertronic]

It was written by Yoda i assume

 

[DarloRich]

I'd argue that if an advertising message confuses people at first sight (which it did when I read it, and presumably it did the same for the OP), then there is something wrong with the wording. Clarity = good, ambiguity and confusion = bad, for advertisers at least. Doesn't have to be conservative or approved language, but it helps to be clear.
Unless they're playing the long game and trying to get people to talk about them, in which case - job done!

It's not representative of language evolution, it's mumbo jumbo. Language should be easy to interpret by all

Hopefully the change of franchise will rid us of this juvenile nonsense

It is perfectly clear what it means. I suspect the real issue is that this is Virgin and it isnt written in language that you are comfortable with. Perhaps it is because it is "yoof" based language

And you find legal language easy to understand? I salute you!

I find legal language very easy to understand.

It was written by Yoda i assume

No: A marketing executive who understand his breif and his clients target audience.

 

[trainophile]

If they had just put “yourself” instead of “future you” it would have been perfectly clear. I suppose they would argue that people wouldn’t notice that.

So yes, mission accomplished .

 

[gazthomas]

It is perfectly clear what it means. I suspect the real issue is that this is Virgin and it isnt written in language that you are comfortable with. Perhaps it is because it is "yoof" based language



I find legal language very easy to understand.



No: A marketing executive who understand his breif and his clients target audience.

I'm not that old!

 

[sprunt]

If they had just put “yourself” instead of “future you” it would have been perfectly clear.

You aren't allowed to use "yourself" when it's appropriate these days though - you're only allowed to use it when you should simply be using "you" instead.

 

[trainophile]

You aren't allowed to use "yourself" when it's appropriate these days though - you're only allowed to use it when you should simply be using "you" instead.

Is that like not being allowed to say you’re English?