AÂ Twitter account that goes by @WOOLWORST_SAÂ has infuriated some Woolworths shoppers with its inflammatory tweets, and left onlookers gleefully waiting for a social media blow-up. BENAZIR CASSIMÂ explains why it hasn’t come.
First, for those who missed the wonky spelling, let me point out that the account in question isn’t an official Woolworths channel. While it uses the real Woolworths logo and is only a few letters shy of the official Woolworths Twitter account it clearly describes itself as a “South African parody retailer dedicated to bringing you white privilege, snark & vanityâ€.
Still, some Woolies fans believed it to be the official account, especially when it started responding to tweets directed at Woolworths.
Most of the truly snarky tweets simply troll Woolworths’ customers by misspelling their names or outright insulting them:
.@JellySwirls Hi Pamla, are you aware of our great range of products perfectly suited for your self-esteem issues? pic.twitter.com/cawPTJ41nm
— Woolworst SA (@WOOLWORST_SA) September 6, 2015
But they had some things to say about privilege.
All our clothing is made from organic, peasant-pure cotton, infused with sweat and privilege. pic.twitter.com/Ak78B4a5am — Woolworst SA (@WOOLWORST_SA) September 5, 2015
Our staff is on hand to help all our new black customers with their privilege points. pic.twitter.com/zTOWtIC1Ri
— Woolworst SA (@WOOLWORST_SA) September 6, 2015
Our new summer collection. Where white power is in. pic.twitter.com/JDDbGGakC9
— Woolworst SA (@WOOLWORST_SA) September 8, 2015
And also about sexism and body shaming:
Afraid that random men are not groping your bum without your consent? Why not indulge in our sculpted jeans range? pic.twitter.com/1tGoJiQSW9 — Woolworst SA (@WOOLWORST_SA) September 7, 2015
Ever wondered what really goes into a Woolworths fruit smoothie?
Our smoothies are 60% fruit, 20% water, 20% privilege and 0% coloured. pic.twitter.com/ctV6gxLsRE
— Woolworst SA (@WOOLWORST_SA) September 8, 2015
They’re very on trend and obsessed with coconut water.
We know our Number 1 fan @MmusiMaimane‘s dreaming about it. Swallow the privileging elixir of coconut water today! pic.twitter.com/WHfiG1bNyP — Woolworst SA (@WOOLWORST_SA) September 7, 2015
They’re vocal about their religious (dis)inclinations, their gaming and their existential crises.
God is dead and the cake is a lie. We consume sugar only as a trivial distraction from our slow, inevitable decay. http://t.co/XCvAc71GOn
— Woolworst SA (@WOOLWORST_SA) September 8, 2015
And after getting into more than a few twars, they were sure to remind those with ruffled feathers that this was all in jest.
.@katrinayellow You’re ranting at a parody account. pic.twitter.com/6kgEgfGUpk — Woolworst SA (@WOOLWORST_SA) September 7, 2015
This isn’t the first time someones posed as a company representative to have some fun at customers’ expense. In August, a man hilariously baited customers who had complained about US retail store Target’s decision to stop categorising toys by gender.
What are your thoughts on parody Twitter accounts? Let us know in the comments, or tweet us @thedailyvox. We’re real, we promise.
– Featured image via Wikimedia CommonsÂ