It came to Twitter's attention today that online retail shop River Island was selling a novelty item called "The Domestic Anti Nag Gag", which features a tiny, foam football to "gag" your (presumably) female partner with.
Sexist & misogynistic products being sold online & in store by @riverisland. Vile, disappointing stuff @RiverIslandPR
Needless to say, the majority of Twitter users were not impressed.
Hey @riverisland. Why are you selling this please? http://t.co/zrjEq2zC1C.
Seriously, what is going on with all the "novelty" things from River Island... I am genuinely baffled....
Seriously @riverisland what were you thinking!? How could you even let this in your stores?! #everydaysexism #notfunny
(Although, this being the internet, some people didn't quite see why it was so bad...)
A peek at @salihughes' timeline reveals the kind of depressing, knuckle-dragging thickos who think that River Island gag thing is OK. Jeez
Be proud of your supporters, River Island. RT “@CfcRyanS: @ofbeingidleee @salihughes @riverisland Put my balls in your mouth instead xxxx”
There are some women who are asking; "oh why are people offended?" by the River Island item. As if they need to be told. Uneducated twits.
Hours into the outrage, River Island confirmed it would no longer be stocking the item.
And released a statement, saying they were sorry to hear the item upset people.
We are sorry to hear that one of our novelty gifts has caused upset to our customers. We have now removed this item from the site.
Which wasn't exactly the response many were looking for.
'We're sorry one of our novelty gifts caused upset' isn't an apology. Try 'We're sorry we stocked a disgusting novelty gift' @riverisland
@LynnCSchreiber @riverisland oh god. 'Sorry you feel that way' is the worst kind of non-apology.
Well done @riverisland, this is the kind of attitude your "novelty" item enables. And another pathetic non-apology.