Your expectations can drastically affect how you feel about something. We’ve probably all felt (over)hyped about buying or experiencing something before, only to be let down because the reality just isn’t as flashy as what we imagined. On the flip side, it feels incredibly nice to have your expectations met 100%.
The country that keeps delivering quality, user-friendly design is [drumroll] Japan. And we absolutely love it. So much so that we’ve collected some of the most accurate product packaging pics and food ads from the popular r/ExpectationVsReality subreddit to share with you, dear Pandas. This. Is. What. All. Ads. Should. Be. Like!
Personal finance expert Sam Dogen, the author of Buy This, Not That: How to Spend Your Way to Wealth and Freedom and the founder of Financial Samurai, answered a few of Bored Panda's questions about consumer expectations, the problem with (too much) hype, and what product creators can do to ensure more return customers. Read on for the expert's insights about communication and trust.
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Freshness Burger Japan
That’s the difference between a restaurant and a food shop.
Load More Replies...who wants a garden Burger some kind of hippie stuff give me a good old greasy burger
That looks beautiful. It's very rare in the UK you actually get food that looks like it's advertised.
Japanese Ramen Is On Point!
Forgive my skepticism, but are the letters actually on the nori, or superimposed on the photo? That said, this does look like a killer dish of ramen 👍
Load More Replies...I wonder if complete honesty and trust is part of their strong culture values ? Whereas in USA that’s not a strong value in actuality, only in empty promises. Hence USA advertising. It’s not meant to deceive. It’s meant to sell a product and if deception is a result then so be it bc clearly the cultural value of honesty and trust is low.
Honesty and therefore trust. You can see it in other cultures too. In many countries in Europe people leave their Babys in Prams outside. Where I live, if you loose something, you will find it where you lost it. Probably hanging on a branch or on a fence to prevent it from getting wet or being blown away. I forgot my wallet on a playground in a busy Zoo the other day. It was still where I left it, when I went looking.
Load More Replies...Nah nah nah where’s the text bubble? Send that back and demand the text bubble be added to your plate.
Nah nah nah where is the text bubble that is on the menu? Send that back right away and demand they include the text bubble.
Ice Cream In Japan
Me “it’s too cute I couldn’t possibly”..two seconds later…”CHOMP”
Load More Replies...Sam, the founder of Financial Samurai and the author of the bestseller Buy This, Not That, shared his insights about consumer hype and expectations and how this relates to their reactions to products and services. He stressed that it is essential to ensure that the expectations are right.
"Getting the right consumer expectations is everything. If consumer expectations are too high, there will be an initial boost to product sales. But there won't be repeat customers or evangelists singing the product's praises because the end product is below expectations," the expert told Bored Panda.
"The consumer won't feel like the product is great value if expectations are too high," he said.
Ice Cream In Japan
If you buy soft serve anywhere in the world and it doesn't look as perfect as that then someone screwed up. I used to go to a buffet that had a self serve machine and even a novice like me could make it look good.
In Japan, One Should Expect To Get What One Expects
Presentation is super important to Japan and other Asian countries. They understand that one does not eat by their mouth and taste buds alone. They understand that one eats with all five senses so for something to be truly delicious it has to be delicious to all five senses.
Load More Replies...I’m Not The First To Notice This, But Dang Are The Menus Accurate Here
The paper is in a slightly different spot, I’m suing for false advertising.
Load More Replies...Fun fact: in japan its actually illegal to not make a prodcut that looks like the advertising. So you will almost always get what you pay for
The US does have laws for this aswell, but I guess it's more so about misleadment in the ingredients, serving sizes, inadequate labeling, etc, or anything possibly dangerous for the consumer. I'm thinking if it's things like looks, it's not taken as seriously or given any thought.
Load More Replies...I'm boggling over the deal being advertised. Buy a drink that's 650yen or above and get one of the below items FREE; half buttered toast with a boiled egg or a "dog sandwich".
Where do you live where that would be a bad deal? 650 yen is around £4 / $5
Load More Replies...We were interested in what product creators and service providers can do to help manage all of these expectations, so as to have more returning customers. Sam, from Financial Samurai, explained that proper communication is vital to building trust.
"Product creators can manage consumers' expectations by clearly communicating to consumers future product upgrades and features in the works. It's the whole idea of, 'If you like this product, you'll love the next version!'" he told Bored Panda.
"Once a company or creator delivers on expectations, then trust is built with the consumer," the author of Buy This, Not That said.
"Once you have the consumer's trust, then you should have long-term customers who will help spread the word and create more repeat customers."
The Exact Same Size
Almost Exactly The Same
And,, now I'm googling to se where I can buy treats from Japan, here in Sweden 😋
If you're up for getting a monthly snack box then look up Bokksu.
Load More Replies...I’m very fortunate that I live in a place with a huge population from all parts of Asia. We have a large Japanese grocery store that recently opened and every month (I’m trying to pace myself as I’m a snack fiend) I’m going to try a new dessert or snack.
The name of the store is covered, but I think I know the store, it’s called Chateraise, I believe. They make really good gluten, egg, and dairy free cake. Just about everything there is delicious and looks great. Just in case you have a friend in Japan who can send you some snacks.
Mos Burger Japan Know What's Up
But that would cost money, require training, and staffing that would give half a darn.
Load More Replies...I don't see any difference except for the extra cheese, and I would love that!
Having your expectations upended by what you find and buy at your local supermarket isn’t going to be earth-shattering. However, it still stings. Nobody enjoys being lied to, after all.
And ‘imaginative’ product packaging, aka false advertising, really is lying to the customer. Whether it’s offering them a bag of chips/crisps (depending on your location) that’s two-thirds full of air, or showing a fabulously photogenic photo of a tasty treat on the package that is nowhere close to the gunk you can see inside.
It’s an awful feeling to ask for a cheeseburger that looks pristine on the menu and have the server bring out a sloppy slider. It’s also what you feel when you book a gorgeous Airbnb listing only to turn the key, open the door, and find out that the photos were edited or made use of some truly creative angles to make the place seem better.
In short, we all deserve better. You know this. We know this. And we suspect that many companies know this, deep down (but profit comes first for many of them).
Denny’s In Tokyo, Japan. It Was Great!
I kind of disagree on the impressive part. What it does show, however, is how unimpressive it is in the US/EU.
Load More Replies...All food should look like the pics. I hate when you buy something expecting it look like something and it comes out looking totally different.
Out to eat in Tokio... at Denny's? You and I must belong to different species.
What's the menu of a Japanese Denny's look like? Any "Moons Over My Hammy"?
never tried dennys before even tho i live in japan lol. especially mos
American Cherry Pie Frapuccino In Japan
My heart and teeth hurt just thinking about that (I’m not a fan of a lot of sugar) but I have to admit I would try it for fun and curiosity.
OMG!! It was so good. There were even little pieces of crust in the drink. But it still wasn't my favorite (which was the Classic Tea Cream Frappuccino) cream-tea-...d-jpeg.jpg
My God! What did they put on top? Minus that i would defo try. We dont have as far as i know. Nvr seen at a Starbucks.
Packaging Checks Out
I know it's meant to look like ice cream, but what is it actually? Some sort of puff cookie?
I’d be shocked if I found anything close to this accurate in the U.S.
These are rhe absolute BEST and I'm ashamed at how short a lifespan a box has in my freezer lol
Odds are that after being the victim of false advertising and having your expectations dashed, you won’t be buying that same product again. Unless you don’t actually care about, say, the aesthetics of a particular snack; who knows, those cute panda-shaped cookies might’ve actually been delicious even if they were nowhere near picture-perfect.
However, it’s likely that no company will ever change its approach to packaging and ads unless consumers vote with their wallets and this then impacts the bottom line.
Japan has some very consumer-friendly advertising laws in place to protect everyone from shady practices.
For example, something that you have to be aware of is how you use words in your ads and on your product packaging. It’s vital that you’re not misleading anyone by creating facts from thin air.
In Japan When Expectations And Reality Are Same
Except it's a post from Reddit, like 99% of Bored Panda's content.
Load More Replies...Pleasantly Surprised
Would it make a difference if they turn it around?
Load More Replies...Only In Japan
Look at that gorgeous yolk. Chickens in Japan are definitely fed better. Beauty
That does not always mean a chicken is treated healthier. To get a bright yolk like that all you have to do is feed the chicken marigolds.
Load More Replies...That's what it looks like to me! One of my favorites when I lived there.
Load More Replies...Looks like pic, but I sure could not eat this. Raw egg eww🤢, and 🐙 no no no.
Once you're in a place when you sure raw eggs are safe, try. You may surprise yourself x
Load More Replies...Am I imagining things or does this appear to be on the vegetarian menu?
Using hyperbole and exaggerations for the sake of impact is a big no-no. Something that you want to avoid is using claims that you can’t back up. For instance, if you can’t prove that your product is “the best” or “the tastiest” or whatever else, don’t claim it. That goes double for any medical products. Focus on facts, not daydreams.
From My Trip To Japan Exactly One Year Ago, The Only Place I've Visited Where Reality Exceeded Expectations
Just want to point out that comes with rice and soup and the large costs less than $10 USD. In the US that would be at least $20 easy, and then you'd have to add tax and tip.
Those Japanese Food Samples (Left) Couldn't Meet My Expectations (Right) More Than This!
My my my, I'd love this. This looks yummy. Now I need to have breakfast.
Making Sure It's The Same
The package says “cat tongue.” 🤢 I’m thinking either Japanese people don’t speak a lotta English, or else “cat tongue” doesn’t make me lose their appetites. Augh.
Langue de chat (literal translation: cat tongue) is a small rectangular biscuit that is popular in parts of Asia, Europe, and South America. They actually originated in France and Austria. The biscuit got its name from its distinct rectangular shape that looks like a little cat tongue : https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_tongue
Load More Replies...Something else that’s very much frowned upon in Japan is inventing inaccurate competitors’ prices to make your own product look like a better deal. You also can’t post misleading information of any future price-hikes that are ‘totally’ coming up. What’s more, you can’t dramatize the price of your product by putting it next to a fake, exaggerated, over-the-top past price.
You Can Barely See The Difference
Oh there’s the candy on top of the picture 😅. It took me longer than it should have 😂
I swear, I saw the difference after one solid minute. Japan is so great
Panda Wafer Looked Good And Tasted Great
At Denny's In Japan, Wysiwyg
The Denny's I went to outside Osaka served beer and whiskey. The local that I was having the business meeting with asked me if I wanted a drink. It was 10 AM.
I would have said yes. I've worked shift work most of my life, so 10am means nothing to me anymore. Burger and fries with a beer at 8am, yep.
Load More Replies...I don’t know, it kinda looks like a brain. You’re a cavewoman, so go for it.
Load More Replies...This one doesn't really fit the list. Small side portions, fried chicken looks dry and it's missing the gyoza.
That looks terrible, sure they look the same but what's with Denny's? Every meal someone posts looks like shite. We don't have Denny's in Australia, it looks like 3 day old, dried out, gross, buffet food
Meanwhile, stealth and undercover marketing are also prohibited. For example, you can’t have product placements in films and TV shows without telling the viewer. Meanwhile, you’re not allowed to disguise ads as articles or videos where someone pretends to be ‘genuinely’ interested in a product or service.
Expectations And Reality Are The Same
Ty I forgot the name and just called them pudding bites
Load More Replies...Size Checks Out
Size And Color Match
Everything thing here in the US looks great in pics & in pkgs, but it's definitely not representing the actual item. I wonder how many folks from Japan are disappointed opening something here only to discover it was "Serving Suggestions"...
Australians are disappointed often, except cereal, you guys know how to do cereal. I don’t mind paying $15au for a box of your stuff
Load More Replies...Yes, we get it. Very impressive. (not being snarky, but do we need 10 pics demonstrating the very cool size thing?)
Snarkers gonna snark. If they only showed one, you'd be complaining about how that's just one example, so it doesn't necessarily represent Japanese snacks broadly.
Load More Replies...Aside from companies being more open, direct, and honest about what they’re providing, it also falls upon us to manage our own expectations… at least in part. Even if an ad or package is completely honest about what you’ll get upon purchase, we can still feel disappointed if we had vastly different expectations. For whatever reason!
Pikachu Promotional Donuts In Japan
The one on the right is more like nightmare fuel to me, but still better than the popsicles here. If you know, you know
This is cute! A little bit off compared to the advertising, but still awesome.
Huh, never thought I'd see a pokemon X Donnie Darko crossover ... ... Still, really well executed. Heck of a lot closer than most things in north america
This one is a bit weird tbh we've seen better but I won't be able to do this :')
Just As Advertised
I'm really surprised at how even the size is the same as on the packaging :00
They are little mini melon 🍈 flavoured cookies. They look quite yummy.
Melonpan cookies, they just look like melons, they don't taste like them.
Load More Replies...These remind of these little Dutch biscuit cake things I use to have a kids.
The Photos On The Packaging Are Accurate
The gap between our expectations and the results is what leads to disappointment. Many of us know from experience that it’s best to have very low expectations and then end up being pleasantly surprised. After all, it beats being overhyped and then feeling as though you’ve been let down, no matter how great the product/service/experience/quintuple chocolate chip cookie was.
Almost The Exact Match
These are japanese ? Pretty sure my mother bought some a while ago in France, that's weird tho because we don't usually find Japanese treats in regular stores
When Reality Matches The Expectations
In Japan When Expectations And Reality Are Same
Seems like most of the rest of the world could learn a few things about holding corporations accountable for advertising accuracy.
At the same time, we shouldn’t manage our expectations into oblivion. It’s good to have standards! It’s what keeps us dignified and reminds companies everywhere that they have to provide quality. However, those standards have to be somewhat realistic. You can’t expect perfection around every corner. You can, however, expect to get exactly what’s on the packaging in Japan!
Aussies may remember the consumer program The Checkout from a few years back. They used to have a "product vs packshot" segment where they showed the picture of some selected product and then showed the depressing reality of what was inside. No words needed, the images said it all
I miss The Checkout. I still refer to some of their stories (all on Youtube!)
Load More Replies...I love how Japan places such a great emphasis on gorgeous presentation and beautiful packaging. It makes me think that I’m eating something to be savoured and enjoyed.
Most of the time the packaging looks nothing like the products- mainly when it comes to size, but if you’d like to make an American version, be my guest
Load More Replies...That's what I love about Japanese restaurants and their food. Most places have plastic versions of their dishes on display to entice people into their restaurant and it never disappoints! Even their McDonald menu items look exactly as they do in the pictures. Why can't it be like that here?!
Because Japan is still a nation of craftspeople, but America long ago shifted to being a nation of salespeople.
Load More Replies...Aussies may remember the consumer program The Checkout from a few years back. They used to have a "product vs packshot" segment where they showed the picture of some selected product and then showed the depressing reality of what was inside. No words needed, the images said it all
I miss The Checkout. I still refer to some of their stories (all on Youtube!)
Load More Replies...I love how Japan places such a great emphasis on gorgeous presentation and beautiful packaging. It makes me think that I’m eating something to be savoured and enjoyed.
Most of the time the packaging looks nothing like the products- mainly when it comes to size, but if you’d like to make an American version, be my guest
Load More Replies...That's what I love about Japanese restaurants and their food. Most places have plastic versions of their dishes on display to entice people into their restaurant and it never disappoints! Even their McDonald menu items look exactly as they do in the pictures. Why can't it be like that here?!
Because Japan is still a nation of craftspeople, but America long ago shifted to being a nation of salespeople.
Load More Replies...
