'shagslikeadonkey'

Published on August 29, 2004 By mignuna In Humor

In a further instance of 'the world gone mad', insurance giant Prudential has been forced to issue a release stating that it will 'review it's safeguards' after a consumer received a letter from them addressed to "Mr. Shagslikeadonkey".

The unamused recipient, a Mr. Nick Mann, of Bedfordshire, England, told the (British) Sun newspaper that the letter was delivered to his home via regular post. It was printed on official Prudential letterhead, and had been signed by the company's marketing manager Andrew Lucas.

"Dear Mr. Shagslikeadonkey, moving your insurance to Prudential could save you money ..." the letter began. Mr. Mann, himself a financial advisor, said he often received insurance mailings, but had yet to encounter the likes of this. "My jaw hit the floor when I read it" he said.

Prudential has admitted that the letter was issued on it's behalf by insurance agent Churchill’s, which underwrites Prudential policies. A spokesman claims that the name 'Mr. Shagslikeadonkey' was entered into their system years ago by an employee who had since left the firm.

Despite the long an loud hullaballoo being made by the recipient of the errant missive, I still cannot for the life of me imagine how such a silly (and frankly hilarious) prank has the power the force a major corporation to 'review it's safeguards'. I mean, come on, are we really this touchy ?.

If my husband got a letter addresses to 'Mr. Shagslikeadonkey' I think I'd fall over in grateful fits of laughter that somebody out there in insurance-bot land actually had a moment of anger or insanity potent enough to produce such a result years down the track. I personally think 'Mr. Shagslikeadonkey' should be pleased it wasn't worse.

Instead, the guy squeals to the press in major outrage, thus by supplying a fair indication of the reason why an employee might feel tempted to make a tiny alteration in his personal data in the first place. Plus, I hopefully suspect, inadvertently giving himself a brand new nickname

Comments

M-Post

on Aug 30, 2004

I think the connundrum here Mig, is that some people just dont' have a sense of humor. If I was given that letter, I'd have it put up on a wall so that everyone who visited me got to see it

mignuna

on Aug 31, 2004

I think the connundrum here Mig, is that some people just dont' have a sense of humor

i agree, m-post !.

If I was given that letter, I'd have it put up on a wall so that everyone who visited me got to see it

me too !. i would love it !. what a nickname !.

thanks for your comment, m-post

vanessa/mig XX

KarmaGirl

on Aug 31, 2004

You think that is bad? A few years ago, when all Stardock products were actually shipped (before electronic download was popular), we got an order for a Mr. F**ker in Germany. I thought that it was a joke, so I called the number that was given (there was also a real address with it) and spoke to the person. After he was really offended that I called and took his name as a joke, he explained that it was really his name and it wasn't totally uncommon where he lived. He said "it's only you Americans that find that a bad word".

So, how were they to know that his name wasn't really Mr. Shagslikeadonkey?

LadyCleve

on Aug 31, 2004

I can see it now.....

JillUser

on Aug 31, 2004

I guess the old stick-in-the-mud rather make a stink about something and probably get insurance rates to go up in order to cover the expense of "reviewing security" than to get off his high horse (pun intended) and simply have a good laugh.

Life is too short to take too seriously!

Thanks for the laugh!

mignuna

on Aug 31, 2004

A few years ago, when all Stardock products were actually shipped (before electronic download was popular), we got an order for a Mr. F**ker in Germany. I thought that it was a joke, so I called the number that was given (there was also a real address with it) and spoke to the person

karma, i would have done the exact same thing in your position rather than risk offence.

After he was really offended that I called and took his name as a joke, he explained that it was really his name and it wasn't totally uncommon where he lived. He said "it's only you Americans that find that a bad word".

well, he's wrong on that count for starters. any australian that saw that name would have made the same assumption: that it was a 'joke' (albeit an unfunny one) and that the recipient would be offended. any english speaking person would agree also, i'm sure. anyway karma, he sounds like he deserves his name

So, how were they to know that his name wasn't really Mr. Shagslikeadonkey?

exactly. he could have changed it by deed poll. people have much sillier names than that. didn't some guy change his name to 'santa claus' a while back ?. (and even though it wasn't his name, i bet it is now whether he likes it or not. that will stick !). serves him right hehe.

I can see it now.....

ladycleave, what a wonderful pic !. thankyou so much, i've been trying to stop giggling to reply to you, but i keep scrolling back to laugh at 'mr shagslikeadonkey' himself in your comment. oh, pictures do tell 1000 words, don't they ?.

i know your pun was unintentional jill, but i very much enjoyed it just the same !. perhaps we could say he needs to get down off his 'high donkey" ?

. and that's a very good point about the cost to policy holders for this 'review of security'. i'm certain charges would be passed on the the consumer for this silliness. and to think it was taken seriously to begin with !.

Life is too short to take too seriously!

isn't it, though ?. and you're welcome for the laugh. thanks for adding your thoughts, jill

.

vanessa/mig XX

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