For Pete's sake leave Vegemite alone
Struth! With tongue in cheek, I’m madder than a bag full of cut snakes and you want to know why?
The American owners of Vegemite, a famous Australian sandwich spread, have come up with the ludicrous plan of bastardising this great Australian national icon by combining it with cream cheese and a few secret herbs and spices for a new product to be released Downunder on July 5.
The American owners of Vegemite, a famous Australian sandwich spread, have come up with the ludicrous plan of bastardising this great Australian national icon by combining it with cream cheese and a few secret herbs and spices for a new product to be released Downunder on July 5.
Yes, the original vegemite will still be available, but that’s not the point, Vegemite has been favoured by countless millions of Australians without complaint from it’s loyal followers since its conception here in 1922. So why play with it now? If it’s not broken don’t fix it and why re-invent the wheel, I say!
So it’s little wonder that I’m as mad as hell. I can only imagine that it’s being done for the sake of the holy dollar and whoever came up with this head scratching decision should be asking themselves, “Do I have kangaroos loose in the top paddock?”
Sure, the unique recipe of Vegemite and a slab of good Aussie tasty cheese on bread has been passed down from generation to generation, but mixing cream cheese with Vegemite on a commercial basis, come on!
Have we become so lazy and so out of touch that we have to resort to the devious concoction being presented to us now?
Howard Beale a crazed television anchorman played by Peter Finch in the movie “Network”, sums up my sentiments exactly in regards to this new product with these passionate words:
“I want you to get up out of your chairs, open the window, stick your head out, and yell, and say, I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not gonna take this anymore.”
If you are as mad as hell like me, follow Howard Beale’s advise and head straight to the nearest window and repeat his words for all to hear, plus these choice words from me, “For Pete's sake, leave Vegemite alone!”
To be continued…
24 comments - care to make one?:
Peter:
I sympathize with you and I agree with you. If it's not broken, don 't mess with it.
Over here the marketers are doing something equally as bad. Here's what I mean. Breakfast cereal has always come in a certain sized boxes. Grape Nuts--a little box. Wheaties--a medium sized box. And Corn Flakes--a huge man-sized box. But lately, they've started to put everything into real skinny boxes, and charging the same prices as the larger boxes. How stupid do they think we are? It's got me so angry I'm about to move someplace else. Got any room down there for me? PS, I'm afraid of crocodiles.
Happy trails.
What is it about us humans that we can never leave well enough alone??
Dropkicks and dipsticks abound.
Oh Peter you are funny funny funny, but I totally agree with you. Hey never know may be it will be failure similar to the one Coca Cola had, lol. Hope all is well Peter on the other hand, and you still enjoying your Vegemite [sounds like jam to me], good day my friend. Anna :)
Hi Swubird and thank you for backing me up on this one! I can't believe they're messing around with one of our national icons.
Would they mess with one of their own national icons to make a quick back? A: Obviously, Yes.
Downsizing a product with an increased price attached to the new look, is not uncommon here. I guess you and I will have to vote with our wallets and not buy into their deceptive campaigns by refusing to shell out our hard earned dollars for their products!
Have we got room for good guys like you? A: Bloody oath we have! When are you coming?
As for crocodiles, they scare the crap out of me too!
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Janeywan! When we learn to be satisfied with what we have, is when we will (should) leave well enough alone!
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Jayne! Dropkicks and dipsticks abound alright! Just hope their sidekicks flick pass this new abomination straight out the window!
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Anna! I hope you and hubby had a bonza (excellent) Father's Day!
Me funny? I tried to be in this one, sarcastically funny that is, in an attempt to get my point across!
Sounds like jam to me? More like delicious tar for most of us!
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Peter!
The first time I heard of Vegemite was through the Men at Work song that speaks of it in a Land Down Under...
Have you considered peanut butter or Nutella? LOL As they are made of nuts would that make it Nutwork? ;)
What US product would you like to “bastardise”?
Hi Livingsword and welcome. Kindly assisted by "The Men at Work" this is what I have to say in response to the first part of your comment.
I have never brought bread from a man in brussels, who was six foot four and full of muscles, but if I did I'd say to him, "Do you speak-a my language?" and I'm sure he'd just smile, give me a vegemite sandwich and say "I come from a land down under, where beer does flow and men chunder!"
Now! Talk about peanut butter and Nutella! I have been known to eat these products straight out of the jar, sadly, to my demise. My only saving grace there is, my treadmill!
As for your question, "What US product would you like to bastardise?" If I did that, wouldn't I be condoning what they're doing to OUR Vegemite?
Now! If I were to do this to one of their products, taking into consideration that I'm a kindly fellow, I would make peanut butter with zero fat content! How's that for bastardisation?
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Peter!
ROFL
I Youtubed the video! Very tacky I loved it! However I did not realize you also sang...nice voice! I sound bad even in the shower!
Interesting you mention the treadmill I have an elliptical and stationary bike that I use almost every day...have to work off the Nutella and peanut butter...you know in Europe when I ask for peanut butter they look at me as if I have lost my mind...Europeans are very insightful... :)
Excellent! You caught onto my trick in asking for your US Vegemite switcheroo...Everybody tells me that “you know Peter is very good looking and all, but not sharp with food trickery” and I tell them “you know not my friend Peter... ;)
ROFL zero fat content peanut butter!!!! *nodding* yes very good indeed...
Hi Livingsword and welcome back! Oh! I sing alright! But nice voice? Only if you like being driven to distraction!
My treadmill is my friend and my foe depending on how much weight I want to lose! I've tried the elliptical and stationary bike but unfortunately they don't get me anywhere! Sorry about the poor attempt at humour!
Can't get peanut butter in Europe! Perhaps we better flood their market with Vegemite to teach them a lesson!
I Youtubed the video as well. Yes, very tacky indeed but great entertainment for its time! It appears big video budgets for songs were out of the question way back then.
Thanks again for getting back to me as it's greatly appreciated!
For anyone else wanting to see this great Australian band, "Men at Work" making Vegemite more famous with their song, "Down Under", click "here"
Take Care,
Peter
Hey Pete :D!
Ok, what is the composition of Vegemite (I saw the link, but I am a bit in a hurry today - too many things to do this week)?
I do not like it when they decide to change the recipe of good old national products either. It is like they are murdering our national identity *nodding*. Disrespectful.
Whomever came up with this silly plan, should be sacked!
"Have we become so lazy and so out of touch that we have to resort to the devious concoction being presented to us now? " - good question!
LOL LOL LOL I have done that (screaming "I am mad as hell") when the European Union decided to meddle in the way the Portugese produce their cheese, for example (can you believe it?)...but we won the fight, and now we are back to our traditional way of doing our delicious cheese!
Don't let them get their way, Pete...."For Pete's sake, leave Vegemite alone!" :)
Have a great weekend, my friend!
Cheers
Hi Max! I could write about what vegemite is, but I would much prefer to send you a sample so you could tell me what you think of it! Are you up to the challenge?
Take Care,
Peter
Peter:
Swubird again. Yeah, I agree on the vote with our wallets bit. Don't buy the stuff if they are going to be that way. That should put a squeeze on their little con. My only problem is my Queen. She doesn't care about the price. Doesn't even phase her. If it tastes good, she tells me to buy it.
I swear I'm moving down under---crocs or not. I heard about a guy down there who sprays suntan lotion on the beach babes. Now that's the kind of job I want.LOL
Happy trails.
Peter,
Sending me a sample of Vegemite...are you serious? If you are then I am totally up to the challenge, mate!!
Have a great week!
Cheers
Hi Swubird! Yes, it's easier said than done. Just like when the price of a packet of cancer sticks goes up, people still buy them.
On that, I think my household would save a packet or two if we gave up these horrible things up too!
As for the man who sprays sun lotion on beachgoers, for the life of me, I can't find (yes, he is famous or was!) any net links to see if his job is still open.
I have a sneaking suspicion he may have moved on to heaven!
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Peter!
Now I've got an old favorite song ringing in my head: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNT7uZf7lew
Change can be good or bad, I think in this case it's probably bad. Especially since it involves mixing a pasteurized product like that...
Well, what do I know.
No new post for me. I just wanted to catch up and say hi!
Hi Max! I'm sending the Vegemite on Tuesday. Please let me know what you think of it. Remember don't put too much on and enjoy!
Take Care,
Peter
Hi The Muse! Yes, I checked that one out when Livingsword brought it to my attention. A fun clip even if they didn't spend as much on it as Michael Jackson did on his.
What a lose! I'm still coming to terms with his death!
Thanks for pointing out the pasteurization glitch. Perhaps if we could both write to them about this and can get them to change their minds before it's too late!
What are our chances? Buckley's and none, I would imagine!
I see you've been busy with your other creations! Good on ya!
Take Care,
Peter
Pete,
I will let you know for sure: thanks, mate :D!
And thanks for the tip :D!
Take care
Hi Max! I'm just back from mailing the vegemite. Hope it gets there in one piece!
Now, anyone else that wants a sample of this great Australian product, just drop me a line here!
Take Care,
Peter
About time someone said something about our Vegemite! I was incensed when I heard what they were going to do. I'll definitely vote with my wallet.
I remember having breakfast with a new colleague, an American, who was bragging to me about how he had been introduced to Vegemite by his Aussie girlfriend. He then proceeded to slather his toast with it - but 10 times as much as we are used to. (And I have it strong!). The look on his face was priceless. I guess they will want to make it more palatable for the masses - I'm guessing they'll be putting sugar in it too!
Hi Jennie and sorry for the late reply. Lately I haven't had time to scratch myself!
My favourite was making Vegemite soldiers with toasted bread and then dipping them in soft boiled eggs! Have you ever tried Vegemite soup?
I see the bastardised Vegemite has now gone on sale in our local shops. Like you I voted with my wallet and turned my nose up at it!
Take Care,
Peter
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