There’s just something about Japanese ads. The right amount of goofy. The right amount of innocent fun. The the right amount — read: complete lack of — political correctness. These elements combine to make truly light-hearted, fun advertising.

Now you’re going to have to stow away your Facebook-style outrage to enjoy this one but try. Really try.

To illustrate the amazing non-stick qualities of Flavorstone cookware, 100 maids — dressed, appropriately, in maid attire — slide a pancake from one frying pan to another. As the pancake cooks, it’s also making it’s way to an old guy’s breakfast table.

There’s gymnastics, acrobatic pancake tossing, cutesy music and a sort of mass synchronicity akin to the Beijing Olympics opening and closing ceremonies. What’s not to love?

OK, silly teaser headline aside, this latest Thai Life Insurance ad, much like those that preceded it, may bring a little moisture to your eyes.

While not as gut wrenching as previous efforts, the story of a little boy who aspires to be a garbageman is inspiring. Why? Because that’s what his mother does. And she has a tough time of it because of a leg injury. Which is why the boy skips school to go help his mother.

Before all of this happens, the boy is in a classroom and he, along with all the other students, are creating drawings which represent what they want to be when they grow up. Most kids want to be silly action figures. But out boy proudly seeks the waste disposal profession though his mother’s job more closely resembles that of a city civil worker rather than an actual garbage collector.

In the end, the teacher, who isn’t too enamored with most of the student’s penchant for superheroes, gives out boy top score for his goal in life. But not until after other students explain why.