To be horrified by the Card Factory

[Kidsinamerica123]

Browsing and came across this card. For those who can't see it - it's one of those 'old photo with a (supposedly) witty caption' 2 men are pictured standing by a fence with a caption that reads "Having popped out for a fag, Nigel was delighted when one turned up immediately."

Absolutely disgusted by this I called the Card Factory's head office straight away (I demanded the number in the shop), only to be informed "Head office only deal with complaints made in writing - there's nothing I can do for you now!"

AIBU to assume the good-readers of Mumsnet can help them address their misguided, revolting homophobic humour TODAY without waiting for letters to arrive?

[MrsWinnibago]

Well. I think you're being oversensitive here. My gay friends often joke about their "Fagishness" and I assume that the card is a joke. It's not using the term in a derogatory way....it's not suggesting it's BAD to be gay.

[sillystring]

I think you're over-reacting. It's exactly the sort of card my gay male friends would send/receive.

[EverythingIsAwesome]

I would buy this for my gay pal, he would find it funny

[CoffeeTea103]

Yabu, it's funny. You're overreacting.

[EmmanuelWoganberry]

Is Fag a derogatory word, genuine question? Otherwise I think you're over reacting.

[Standinginline]

My god you're definitely over reacting. I know ALL my gay friends would find this funny (and believe I know a lot of them ).

[Standinginline]

*(and believe ME I know a lot of them )

[Lesshastemorespeed]

I'm sorry, but this is funny. . Yabu

[bigdog888]

It's brilliant - I actually have this card at home.

[Theodorous]

Absolutely disgusted by this I called the Card Factory's head office straight away (I demanded the number in the shop), only to be informed "Head office only deal with complaints made in writing - there's nothing I can do for you now!"

This is the FUNNIEST thing I have read in ages, I have actually laughed out loud. This must surely be the classic of all classics.

The card is not very good but those type of shops have a target market of people who think anything "retro" is clever and refer to themselves as "myself".

[Molotov]

I understood your reaction as, historically speaking, 'fag' was used pejoratively.

It's similar to black people referring to other black people using the 'N' word. Just because it's used in a new context, doesn't mean it's okay. Ownership is one thing, but it isn't a term that can be widely used due to historical connotations.

I don't think I would have been badly offended by the card, but it isn't one I'd send.

[PourquoiTuGachesTaVie]

I would consider it to be derogatory and wouldn't use the word for this reason. I do know gay men who do use the word themselves though.

[SirChenjin]

Is this homophobic? if so I apologise for laughing at the card

I think you're overreacting OP

[Joolsy]

Yes, but would gay people find it funny if someone called them this and might have meant it in a derogatory way?

[gingee]

My gay best mate would be howling. In town the other day there was a sort of Christian values protest singy songy anti gay marriage thing going on, he walked past and screeched 'god hates faaaags!' I died but the look on their faces was priceless. He was wearing a full face of makeup.

[SirChenjin]

I'm guessing that if you were going to be derogatory to a gay person you wouldn't go to the bother of buying a card from the Card Factory

[Lesshastemorespeed]

Surely you would only give this someone you knew well enough to know they would find it funny.

It made me laugh (not out loud or anything), but I wouldn't send it to anyone.

Nor would I complain.

[Fixitagaintomorrow]

If you're not an offended gay man yabu.

[Lesshastemorespeed]

Sirchenjin.

[Heathcliff27]

I love the card factory, where else could I buy every child from DD class a card for about a quid all in.

Oh and my gay pal would love this card, my father in law probably less though so I think YABU to think every person would be offended by it.

[threespecialsteps]

Oh spare us. YABU. And stupidly sensitive. I have two gay brothers and many gay friends and they would think it was funny.

[Heathcliff27]

And as for calling and complaining to their head office, here have a

[SirChenjin]

No, no, we absolutely want the OP to write to Head Office - we need to know what their response is

[Theodorous]

No, calling the head office was a wonderful thing to do. They will be dining out on it for years.

[sillystring]

What's the betting it was actually designed by a gay man?