to think that DD1 should be allowed to read whatever book she likes while on her break at work?

[wongadotmom]

DD1 (21) has just told me she was asked into the office at work today as a complaint had been made against her.

She initially assumed that it had been to do with her work but learned that two women had actually complained that they were offended by the book she had been seen reading while on her lunch break.

The book was 'Porno' by Irvine Welsh - I have not read the book myself therefore cannot judge whether it is offensive or not.

DD said that she was really into the book at the moment and offered to put a cover over the book so that no one could see what she was reading.

She was told no and must show more sensitivity to the womens' religion and must not bring the book into work again.

She is a little shaken up by this incident as nothing like this has ever happened to anyone else and people actually read The Sun and The Mail during their breaks with no problem.

I have told her that she should be allowed to read whatever she wants on her unpaid break but AIBU?

[anothernumberone]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porno_(novel)

To be fair though the cover is pretty nasty. I do love Irving Walsh though.

[RiverTam]

if they had taken two minutes to google the book they would have found out sharpish that it wasn't actual porn. But presumably that was too much effort for either the women or the manager?

sheesh, what a bunch of dingbats.

[GiraffesAndButterflies]

I think their religion is a red herring (unless that was cited as their reason for offence I suppose). Of course the book looks offensive. Its cover is designed to look pornographic and its title is Porno. I'm not surprised they complained, I would probably complain if I thought someone openly had porn in the workplace.

[namechangesforthehardstuff]

That's just a tiny, almost throwaway, comment in the op isn't it? About their 'religion'.

Hmmmmmm...

[GiraffesAndButterflies]

RiverTam, if you were squeamish about porn would you google the word Porno? They're not going to google to check, no one would do unless they already knew it wasn't actually porn!

[GiraffesAndButterflies]

Hmm, following the penguin bollard parking thread where posters started getting penguin bollard tailored ads, I wonder how many times I have to type the word porn before some internet cookie somewhere catches on...

[LCHammer]

What a ridiculous complaint. Ignorant people.

[siratt]

I am a Muslim and wouldn't be offended if someone was reading a book called 'Porno' at work.

OP, would it have bothered you or daughter if the people complaining weren't Muslims? Genuine question.

[MyPrettyToes]

namechangesforthehardstuff

my thoughts exactly.

[Caitlin17]

Even if the 2 women and the manager had really never heard of Irvine Welsh would it have been beyond them to ask what she was reading?

Really how likely is it a 21 year old female office worker would be reading real porn in her lunch hour?

[ConferencePear]

I wouldn't have anyone dictating to me what I could and couldn't read in my lunch break; particularly not in an office where the Sun is read.

Why on earth did the complainers not complain to her directly ? In that office I'd be telling the ones who read the Sun what I thought.

[WinterDrawsOff]

Get a Kindle.

[namechangesforthehardstuff]

Caitlin silly you - Muslim women can't ask people what they're reading. They are just there to make people feel uncomfortable with their massive burkhas (which they all wear); get offended by stuff that's totally reasonable and ban Christmas. It's in their job descriptions.

Honestly OP I really feel for your DD. You couldn't make it up could you? except I'm fairly sure you did

[Caitlin17]

namechange er sorry,you've lost me.
I really don't know what point you're trying to make. What is odd about asking someone what they're reading during their lunch hour. I asked my secretary today.

[MothratheMighty]

She should be able to read whatever she likes as long as it's not a banned text, but if she doesn't want a barney then she may prefer a kindle, or a cover for whatever she chooses to read next.
YANBU in that others are trying to censor your daughter's choices in their spare time. My daughter is a staunch atheist and feminist and would take that as a huge challenge that she would rise to.
I hope your DD realises that she has done nothing wrong whatsoever, and that it is the bigots she is working with who should be educated as to free choice.

[MothratheMighty]

Namechange, the OP has been around for months/
Religious bigots come in many forms and faiths and sects and schisms, not just Muslims. They've been killing each other and random strangers for millenia about what is the right way to live, and what to do with people that don't comply.

[MrsCosmopilite]

Seems a bit ridiculous that she can't read what she wants. I don't see how someone can be offended by a book title.

Maybe she should read "Cunt" by Inga Muscio when she's finished that one. It's got a nice gerbera on the front. I read it on the tube, and at bus stops. Nobody said anything.

[innisglas]

I have a lot of family and friends who are muslim and there is no reason why Muslim women in particular should be offended.
I am a tremendous prude myself, but I cannot understand how seeing the title of this book can cause annoyance?

[MothratheMighty]

DD suggests she tries this one next.
www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/displayProductDetailsZoom.do?sku=7868455

[FoxesRevenge]

and got told I wasn't allowed to read Trainspotting on campus because it offended some pupils

WTF

I can understand how someone might see the front cover with 'porno' and perhaps be offended but Trainspotting? How the hell can anyone be offended by that. If they're familiar with the content and are basically saying 'I don't want to see someone reading that, I found it offensive' then bloody tough luck! You can't try and control what someone wants to read unless you're the Taliban

[wongadotmom]

siratt
The answer to your genuine question is yes of course it would have bothered me and my dd just the same if the complainants were not Muslims. And I would have still posted on here asking if I was unreasonable to think she should be able to read whatever book she wants. But with a cover on!

[ComposHat]

I say she needs to get a copy of the Satanic Verses.

[Coolcadbury]

Just saw the cover. Totally inappropriate for a workplace. I would be uncomfortable seeing that at work. Call me a prude.

OP, why mention the religion at all?

[Martorana]

Stick to your guns or they'll be banning Christmas next........

Did you know that it it actually illegal to have a piggy bank in your house now in case your house catches fire and a firefighter who happens to be Muslim sees it while rescuing you? It's true, honestly.