Sale Of "Lolita" Beds For Young Girls Ends

U.K. Retailer Claims No One On Staff Knew Name Referred To Infamous Story of Pedophilia

(CBS/AP)  Woolworths stores in Britain have stopped selling "Lolita" beds for young girls, after a parents' organization complained because of the name's association with the famous novel about a pedophile.

Woolworths said staff members who administered the retail chain's Web site that sold the beds were unaware of the name's connection with Vladimir Nabokov's 1955 novel "Lolita" and two film adaptations.

The novel centers on protagonist Humbert Humbert's obsession with his 12-year-old stepdaughter, Lolita. Humbert essentially kidnaps her, traveling across the country and holding her sexually captive.

[Curiously, in spite of Woolworths staff's unfamililarity with the classic story, DVDs of both versions of the film - Stanley Kubrick's classic 1962 version, and a 1997 remake starring Jeremy Irons - are available for purchase on Woolworth's Web site.]

Woolworths canceled its sale of the Lolita Midsleeper Combi bedroom set Wednesday, the same day the Raisingkids parents' group had called to complain about the name, Woolworths spokeswoman Lisa Lim said by telephone Sunday.

The set, made and delivered by an outside supplier, costs £395 ($775).

"There aren't many people in the company, in the whole world, who know about the 'Lolita' book or films," Lim said.

"There might be a few people in the country who have a problem with it, but it's just a name."

She said Woolworths would speak with the supplier, however, about how the branding of the product came about.

Raisingkids said it was pleased Woolworths had halted sale of the product.

"It's interesting to see how fast a multinational company can move if it's worried about its public image," Raisingkids said on its Web site, calling the product's use of the Lolita name "unbelievably bad taste."

[ov442]

You have GOT to be Kidding....

| "There aren''t many people in the company, in the whole world, who know about the ''Lolita'' book or films," Lim said. |

What a crock! They have both of the movies for sale on their website and not many companies do that.
That name is totally synonamous with the novel''s character. Where did they think they got that name from ? coincidence? jeez.

[gce65]

Woolworths said staff members who administered the retail chain''s Web site that sold the beds were unaware???
Nobody believes that! You tried to make money off the suggestion and association with young poon! WOOLWORTH''S HUH? DO THEY ALSO OFFER A NAMBLA BED FOR BOYS?

[rheola-2009]

One thing you can be certain of in business, and that is.

If there is a dollar to be made, morality and ethics are thrown out the door

[standlee5]

U.K. Retailer Claims No One On Staff Knew Name Referred To Infamous Story of Pedophilia


right.

[jaykay3141]

Yeah right, "no one [knew] about the book or films ...". Just like the sporting goods company that named a woman''s running shoe "The Incubus". Or when Toyota used an R-rated drinking song to advertise their cars.

So there are 2 possibilities: these decisions were made by people who knew what they were doing, or by people who who have the mental ability of houseplants. You can take your pick of which set of barbarians are at the gates.

[keithle1]

Company spokespeople are a trip. Amazing what nonsense comes out of their mouths. They can spin anything. No matter what you say to them, they have an answer. Always with a big, cheesy smile.

[darkbeach72]

The best reason to withdraw this particular name for this product is that it does not appear to be constructed well enough to support the weight of both a child and a fully grown male. Any fully Lolita-worthy bed should be constructed of at least 3/4" ply and not MDF.

[soldat44]

"Only the bible thumpers are obsessed with this kind of thing. Lolita is a person''''s name. Nothing more. Whoever wrote the article heavily implies the people at this store were involved in some kind of conspiracy and casts doubt on their lack of knowledge of this 1950s novel. I never heard of it and I suspect most people haven''''t. Lolita is a person''''s name. Nothing more. Not a big deal.

Posted by cdfoxtrot at 05:12 PM : Feb 03, 2008

ROFLMAO!

Where the H%$# have you been? Get in your car...drive to a bookstore(not an adult one)...and go to the LITERATURE Section! You would be amazed at what you will find there.

[keithle1]

So many girls'' names they could have used & they chose that one?

[s0055d-2009]

Back in the West Texas town of El Paso, I fell in love with a Mexican girl, her name was Lolita, and you''d like to meet her, she was the girl of my dreams and 29 years old , I might add. Prudish dummies!