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No surprises

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Now it seems that advertising doesn't even have to make sense.


This vending machine at my local shopping centre has the slogan "let life surprise you". I guess it's aimed at people who find their life predictable and would like more spontaneity.

But where's the surprise? A person puts money in and selects a drink. That drink comes out and the correct amount of change is returned. Still no surprise.

Perhaps the slogan might be valid if your selection had no impact on the random drink dispensed. Or if every third customer got all their money refunded. Or if the vending machine was replaced with a children's lucky-dip.

But as it stands it is far from a surprise. It's perhaps the most predictable activity you might do all day.

Perhaps if people are looking for spontaneity and excitement they'd do better to spend less time in shopping centres and more time doing things that bring happiness.

Also, don't bother paying $3.50 for fizzy drink just because a sign told you to. Save it. Or give the $3.50 to a charity. That's far more spontaneous than using a vending machine.
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