Dolls hanging, some upside down, in barber shop window with their wrists tied together and their mouths taped over

[Janni]

There's a barber shop in Long Lane, London EC2, called The Wacky Barber, which likes to put up quirky, 'funny' things in its window and on its notice boards. I was really shocked when I walked past today though. Under the heading 'My favourite things' they had pastic boobs (yawn) but also these Barbie-type dolls in bondage gear, some with their mouths taped up and hanging upside down by their wrists. I went in and said I really didn't like it and it would be very upsetting for any little girl walking past. The guy in the shop just looked away smirking and said I should talk to the manager. I was obviously not going to get anywhere with him and I was not in the right frame of mind to take it further there and then so I just left. I'm just so upset though. This is blatant misogyny isn't it? And to use little girls' toys in this way? I find it really horrible. Are there any controls over what shops can display in their windows?

I think if a complaint is made that something is graphic and disturbing, and being shown where children can see it, the police have to consider it.

I remember years ago that there was always a pro-life demonstration on the main street of a town where I live that had very graphic photographs of foetuses (on placards), and because there were a certain number of complaints, the police were able to insist that the graphic images were removed.

However as the police may have more pressing things to deal with (not that I agree with the shop at all, just that the police might not be able to get to the shop for a few days!) I'd ring the manager with a complaint and get a few friends to do so as well.

Make it a hassle for them to continue with this tasteless display and hopefully they will change it!

Oh I mean terminated foetuses (in the photos) - I don't think a picture of a foetus in itself is offensive, rather the opposite!

Thank you OntheBottom, I like the idea of calling the manager. I'll probably do better over the phone than face to face.

A friend has been in and made a big fuss, took pictures, threatened them with trading standards and reported them to the Corporation of London. She told them that not only was it completely inappropriate for passing children to look at, it was also a poor image of themselves as men and how they viewed women. They looked sheepish and told her to stop talking like that in front of the customers.....It will be interesting to see if they take the window display down now.

Call the Evening Standard and send in a photo

They'd taken it all down by this evening. Just goes to show that it's worth making a fuss about this sort of thing. Thanks all x

well done Janni. Great to see people making a stand. sounds like a disgusting display. amazing what people see as funny, not thinking of the reality of the situation.