Line #17 Main/AppealToFlattery


1	Another simple fallacy in which it is suggested that accepting a particular conclusion speaks well of the person who accepts it. This fallacy tends to feed into the [[UsefulNotes/LogicalFallacies Bandwagon Fallacy]] and is a kind of emotional variant of appeal to consequences, since the unstated suggestion is that if someone does ''not'' accept the argument, one must attribute the opposite qualities to that person. This is a particularly common form of appeal in "soft" advertising in which the audience is encouraged to associate the use of the advertised product with desirable qualities of the people being shown using it, such as their being attractive, intelligent, and/or popular.
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3	-> "Surely an intelligent, sophisticated reader such as yourself [[SelfDemonstratingArticle doesn't need an example or demonstration]] to recognize an Appeal to Flattery?"
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5	Appeal to Flattery has a flip side known as "blocking disagreement" which generally amounts to a kind of pluralized AdHominem. ([[HypocriticalHumor Of course, only total idiots would fail to recognize this for a fallacy.]]) This is sometimes a kind of implied subtext in the aforementioned "soft" advertising as well: since all the attractive, intelligent, and/or popular people are using this product, the advertising implies, you obviously don't want to be one of what must be those ugly stupid losers who ''don't'' use this product, do you?
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7	In a variant, one can appeal to perceived positive qualities of a group and a course of action without ever actually establishing a link between them or even being required to demonstrate that the group has those qualities. "Surely loyal, patriotic soldiers like yourselves would be willing to put up with the mild inconvenience of public, mandatory cavity searches of all passengers embarking on a plane in order to make sure terrorists don't threaten our civil liberties."
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9	And of course [[HypocriticalHumor witty, tolerant tropers such as yourselves]] would have the patience to bear with a [[RuleOfThree third example]] of HypocriticalHumor in what is becoming a RunningGag.
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11	See the Website/{{Wikipedia}} page [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appeal_to_flattery Appeal to flattery]] for more on the logical fallacy. Compare BottledCool.
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13	!!! Examples:
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15	[[foldercontrol]]
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17	[[folder:Advertising]]
18	* The Lexus commercials featuring Jonathan Pryce blend this with CelebrityEndorsement.
19	* Say this in your most snobby voice: "Pardon me, would you have any Grey Poupon?" Their early commercials played the "Snob Appeal" straight, but later commercials evolved into self-parody.
20	* Movado wristwatches.
21	* Played dead straight in an ad for a resume posting site. A man playing tennis is mobbed by uninvited spectators from the stands trying to get in on the game. Most of them are terrible players, and tennis balls are flying every which way. VO: "When you let everybody play, nobody wins." Apparently the first player's resume is getting lost in all the others on whatever site he's posting it. The tagline: "$100k+ jobs for $100k+ jobseekers". What a pity: Our Hero couldn't find his dream job because he was surrounded by ''hoi polloi''!
22	* A junk mail ad for ''Magazine/TheEconomist'' subscriptions listed some of the powerful, influential people who read it (especially heads of state or their cabinet members). The gist is that powerful people like them read it, and you're like them (i.e. powerful), so you should read it too.
23	* One of the Apple iPhone's applications was named "I'm Rich!" It costs $999.99 and all it did was show a ruby on your display. The message was pretty clear: only rich people (like you!) would buy something this useless! It managed to sell a few copies until someone claimed [[WhatWereYouThinking they bought it by accident]] and Apple removed it.
24	* The Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour chain had the "Accountant's Special" as a joke menu item: one scoop of plain vanilla ice cream for $99.99.
25	* The slogan of L'Oreal -- "Because you're worth it."
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27	[[/folder]]
28
29	[[folder: Anime and Manga]]
30	* In ''Manga/JojosBizarreAdventureStardustCrusaders'', when Jotaro and crew get swallowed by Midler's Stand, High Priestess, she mentions that Jotaro is her type, and that she'd regret killing him. So, in an attempt to convince her to spare the gang, they give her compliments pertaining to her beauty and voice.
31	-->'''Jotaro:''' It's a shame things turned out this way. I would've liked to have seen your face, if only this once. You might've been my type, too. And if you were, well... I just might've fallen for you.
32	-->'''Polnareff:''' Oh, hey! You know what, guys?! I bet she's a beauty. I can tell from that gorgeous voice of hers.
33	-->'''Avdol:''' She comes across as an elegant woman, my fortuneteller's instinct senses it.
34	-->'''Kakyoin:''' Well, if you ask me, she sounds just like Audrey Hepburn.
35	-->'''Joseph:''' Man, if only I were 30 years younger.
36	** Unfortunately for them, she knows they're lying through their teeth, thus serving to make her angry and threaten to kill them all.
37	[[/folder]]
38
39	[[folder: Comic Books]]
40	* ''ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogIDW'':
41	** In issue #25, Amy Rose calls in the Babylon Rogues who managed to avoid getting infected by the [[ZombiePlague Metal Virus]] by staying airborne in their ship. Despite Wave making a very compelling argument that stopping the infection is in their best interests[[note]]They can't feed themselves or refuel their ship if everyone and everything is corrupted by the virus[[/note]], Jet isn't interested in being a "goodie-goodie". It takes Sonic swallowing his pride and telling Jet they can't win without his help for Jet to get onboard.
42	** In the same issue as the above, Zeena has taken over Sunset City and expresses dissatisfaction with the jewels she has commanded the citizens to give her. One citizen says that no jewel could suit someone as radiant as her and she decided to spare him for at least another hour.
43	** In "Imposter Syndrome", Starline compliments Zavok on his leadership skills to convince him to join his team all while mentally calling him a "vainglorious brute who thinks himself a conqueror". However, Zavok's own thoughts show that he isn't fooled and knows that Starline is trying to play him.
44	* [[ComicBook/{{SpiderMan}} Spider-Man]] does this to convince ComicBook/DoctorDoom he's being tricked by insinuating that someone like him shouldn't let himself be tricked that easily (which Peter calls an appeal to the ego in his head). Before this, his future-predicting AI told him that telling Doom the truth would have a 38% chance of success, but it was increased to 51% if Peter let Doom beat him up a bit first.
45	[[/folder]]
46
47	[[folder:Comic Strips]]
48	* Paige Fox of ''ComicStrip/FoxTrot'' has done this in two different strips when she wants something; one from Andy and [[https://foxtrot.com/2019/04/07/brother-dearest/ one from Peter]].
49	[[/folder]]
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51	[[folder:Fan Works]]
52	* Used in one of the editor's notes in the ''Fanfic/TwiceUponAnAge'' series. Said editor is [[Franchise/DragonAge Varric Tethras]], who enjoys directing his comments at the readers as well as at the author. In chapter 42 of the first volume, he says he knows that they won't have difficulty following along with the way a few chapters are structured, because...
53	-->'''NoteFromEd:''' ...unless I misjudge our readers (who are so clearly shrewd, discerning, and intelligent consumers of media), it'll make sense.
54	[[/folder]]
55
56	[[folder: Folk and Fairy Tales]]
57	* Creator/JeanDeLaFontaine's "The Fox and the Crow" has the fox spot a crow in a tree holding a big cheese in its beak. The fox greets the crow, asking to hear its beautiful voice which is surely equivalent to his magnificent plumage. The crow eagerly complies, opening its beak wide... and dropping the cheese.
58	-->The fox seized it, and said, "My dear good sir,
59	-->Learn you that every flatterer
60	-->Lives at the expense of him who hears him out.
61	-->This lesson is well worth some cheese, no doubt."
62	* Creator/HansChristianAndersen's [[http://hca.gilead.org.il/emperor.html "The Emperor's New Clothes"]] has two tailors that manage to convince the emperor that they created a suit that is only visible to smart people, so everybody would rather say that they can see the clothes and appear smart, allowing them to get paid for doing nothing.
63	* According to Myth/JapaneseMythology, this is how to survive an encounter with the ''kuchisake-onna'', or slit-mouthed woman. A strange woman in a surgical mask, she'll approach you and ask if she's beautiful. Saying no will enrage her and she'll kill you with her scissors because her ego is fragile. Saying yes will prompt her to reveal her mutilated face and ask again. Saying no at this point will also get you killed, but saying yes again will make her only slash you to match her because the Japanese word for "pretty" (''kirei'') pretty much sounds like a word meaning "to cut" (''kire'') and she is also apparently fueled by puns. Of course, she will let you go on your merry way if you say [[INeedToGoIronMyDog you're sorry, but you need to be somewhere else right now]].
64	[[/folder]]
65
66	[[folder: Live-Action Films]]
67	* ''Film/ASeriesOfUnfortunateEvents2004'': When first meeting the Baudelaire orphans, Count Olaf lets it slip that he's only interested in their fortune in front of Mr. Poe, who is the Executor of their family estate. When Mr. Poe questions this, Olaf proceeds to ask him if he works out. Poe is clearly impressed by this compliment and [[AdultsAreUseless leaves the children in Olaf's care]].
68	* This is one of many techniques Palpatine uses to manipulate Anakin in the ''Franchise/StarWars'' prequels. He tells Anakin that he is the most awesome Jedi ever and that he is just way too awesome to take orders from that silly Jedi Council, who are clearly [[YoureJustJealous Just Jealous]] if they don't treat someone as awesome as Anakin with the proper reverence. This works extremely well because it's exactly what Anakin ''wants'' to believe.
69	[[/folder]]
70
71	[[folder: Live-Action Television]]
72	* ''Series/EightSimpleRules'': In one episode, Cate finds out she used to date her daughters' principal. She believes he's being too harsh on them because [[RevengeByProxy she broke up with him]]. However, he claims [[RashomonStyle he was the one who broke up with her]]. Cate spends the rest of the episode trying to prove she was the one who broke up with him. Her daughter [[SoapboxSadie Kerry]] tries to tell her to let it go. Cate then says she's just trying to prove she was both studious and sexy in high school, just like Kerry. This convinces Kerry to support her.
73	* ''Series/DrakeAndJosh'': In an episode where the two brothers get a job, Drake tries to avoid doing any hard work by charming their manager, Helen. In one instance, Drake tells Helen's she's looking great right before she asks him to clean up some [[{{Squick}} vomit]]. Helen gets flustered and makes Josh do it instead. Eventually, [[HardWorkHardlyWorks Drake gets promoted to manager]].
74	* ''Series/GameOfThrones'': When the Starks go to treat with [[AChildShallLeadThem Lyanna Mormont]] on Bear Island, Sansa tries to do this by telling Lyanna that she will likely grow up to be a great beauty. [[{{Tomboy}} Lyanna]] dismisses the compliment and insists she'll grow up to be a [[ActionGirl great warrior]] instead.
75	* ''Series/JustShootMe'': In one episode, Finch goes undercover as a high school to get information for an article for the magazine. He ends up becoming popular with the younger generation and uses the opportunity as an excuse to relive his high school years. The intellectual [[HotLibrarian Maya]] asks him how the assignment is going. Finch tells her that he found out that high school boys secretly find bookish and intelligent girls attractive. This pleases Maya, who leaves without pressing him for more information that would've exposed Finch's plan.
76	* ''Series/TheLordOfTheRingsTheRingsOfPower'': After embarrassingly witnessing Galadriel threatening and arguing with Miriel, Halbrand decides to ease the tensioned atmosphere in the throne room. He addresses Miriel as "good queen" in order to appease her and proposes for everyone to take 3 days to decides his fate and Galadriel's. It works unlike Galadriel's threats.
77	* ''Series/TheMiddle'': Sue is approached by someone at the mall who tells her she has what it takes to be a model. Of course, she'll have to pay for some classes. [[NaiveEverygirl Sue]] is so excited after being compared to a model that she never considers that this could be a scam, and spends the rest of the episode trying to pay for classes through [[BabysittingEpisode babysitting]].
78	* ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'' neatly parodied this device with the "I'm '''#1'''" trucker's cap. "Lets everyone in the room know you're better than they are. Only $9.95, available at K-Mart and Caldor!"
79	[[/folder]]
80
81	[[folder: Music]]
82	* Wonderfully subverted by Music/LesLuthiers: "You, who are used to success as just one more habit of life... You, who succeed with the same ease in business and in the most exclusive sports... You, who are used to being respected by men and admired by women... You... can you tell us how you do it?"
83	[[/folder]]
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85	[[folder: Theatre]]
86	* ''Theatre/TheMusicMan'': Whenever the four members of the school board try to question Harold Hill about his plan to start a school band, he distracts them by complimenting their voices and getting them to sing barbershop quartet songs.
87	[[/folder]]
88
89	[[folder: Video Games]]
90	* ''VideoGame/StrongBadsCoolGameForAttractivePeople''. Right there in the title, folks.
91	* The Pharaoh of AncientEgypt, in the sixth installment of ''VideoGame/NewYankeeInKingArthursCourt'', appeals to the gremlin Ears by praising his "majestic armor" and talking about how no one else is capable of breaking the stone blocks which bar their path. This is technically true due to the game's mechanics, but one of the protagonists, Mary, is clearly very amused by both the flattery and by how well it works.
92	[[/folder]]
93
94	[[folder: Western Animation]]
95	* ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'': One episode had Bonnie asking Lois to look after her baby and paraplegic husband while she goes on vacation. Not wanting to do this, Lois passes the job off to Meg. When Meg complains, Lois tells her that Bonnie compared Meg's appearance to that of a supermodel. This gets Meg to accept the job.
96	* In the ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'' episode "dude, we're getting the band back together", Phineas and Ferb reunite a HairMetal band for their parents' anniversary. 'They convince Bobbi Fabulous to join by telling him he's the one who steals the show.
97	* ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'': The episode "Chinpokomon" involved Japan trying to brainwash the American youth using an obvious parody of ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}''. Whenever American adults get suspicious, the Japanese will deflect by saying how large American penises are. This even works on [[UsefulNotes/BillClinton the President]]. [[WordOfGod According to the DVD commentary]] this was [[TruthInTelevision based off of an encounter in Beijing]].
98	[[/folder]]
99
100	[[folder: Real Life]]
101	* Very common in politics, where loaded positive terms are used to describe positions: for example, people do not call themselves ''anti-abortion'' but ''pro-life'', and their opponents say they are ''pro-choice'' rather than ''pro-abortion.'' ''Pro-abortion'' is an AdHominem, as most on the "pro-abortion" side would like abortions made ''rarer'' through birth control and sexual education, but no obstacles to a woman ''choosing'' to obtain an abortion. Who would want to oppose "life" or "choice?" This leads to the rather absurd idea that one could apply each side's argument to the other, making the two sides of the abortion debate "anti-choice" and "anti-life," which is absurd because the actual point at issue is "When does a fetus' potential interests outweigh a woman's bodily autonomy?"
102	* In commercials for charities, one common practice is to thank the listener for donating at the end, flattering them with the unstated assumption that they are generous.

Context Main / AppealToFlattery