To complain to M&S about their so called 'Humour' cards

[Mograt]

I have a fairly robust disposition when it comes to humour (mother of two DCS, one 14 year old DS and a 12 year old DD.

However I had a sense of humour fail in my local M&S store last week when browsing the birthday cards.

Much of the humour was pathetic, stereo-typed and desperately unfunny but one card in particular I found completely unacceptable and sexist.

Hopefully I've managed to attach the shot I took of the card but if not it shows a man in old fashioned garb addressing his dog in 'gangsta rap' with the order:

"Fetch my slippers, bitch"

I've actually been motivated to write to M&S customer services and I'm awaiting their response.

So Ladies, I'm interested in all opinions so fire away! More than ready to hear that you all think I'm an old fart who needs to get with it!

But he is speaking to a bitch

Gosh, in M&S, whatever next. I do hope it wasn't next to the nylon cardies.

Yeah, presumbaly his dog is female and therefore a bitch.

What is sexist about it?

Seriously too much time on your hands. You're not forced to buy it.

I don't find it funny, but it doesn't offend me in the slightest.

Especially not to take a photo and still be thinking about it a week later.....

What exactly would you complain about?

I think having a robust disposition and being offended by this may be mutually exclusive.

Ok, so it appears I'm an old fart who needs to update her nylon cardies

He is speaking to a dog. Fetching slippers is traditionally something a man might ask his dog to do (no idea if they do it, I don't have a dog!). There's a 50% chance the dog is in fact a bitch. None of that applies to using "bitch" in gangsta rap, which is what you should really have a problem with.

What you could point out to M&S is that their target market wouldn't understand gangsta rap references or buy a card with "bitch" on, so they should probably fire the buyer.

Totally not bothered. It's a joke. Gangster-rap talks about bitches. He is talking to a (literal) bitch. He has misunderstood the meaning of the rap lyrics.

I'm not exactly falling around in hoots of laughter, but I'm not insulted either.

Wow, you must have a great life if this is all you can find to worry about.

people will take offense over everything and anything!!

if the image of the dog was replaced by an image of a woman then yes this will be sexist. but its not, its a dog presumeably female therefore it would be a bitch.

I'm sorry but this is beyond ridiculous.

We'll at least if it was in M&S there would have been suitably large granny judgy pants to put on and pearls to clutch against your high necked blouse and nylon cardies!!!
Not my sense of humour but not too bothered, some cards are very filthy and tasteless these days - I just don't buy them

It's a crap joke but it wouldn't piss me off to the point where I'd complain.

Those old fashioned black and white picture birthday cards that usually feature a child looking surprised with a witty caption about farting don't amuse me much either, but I don't feel the need to kick off about it.

Sorry, fail to see any insult or sexism here!

really? a female dog is a bitch. I agree you have too much time on your hands

Sorry, fail to see any insult or sexism here!

Hmm don't have any high neck blouses or pearls to wear with my nylon cardies so must rush off to see if they have any in store so I can clutch them.

I have to say I don't like it and wouldn't buy it (or be pleased to receive it) but I don't know about complaining.

You could definitely make an argument that it's sexist but it's done in such a way that the interpretation could be spun so I'm not sure.

Still think it's crap anyway!

Well dh and I found it funny and so did the Richard we sent it to.

Agree, you have too much time on your hands......

What would you like the result of the complaint to be?

An apology? Compensation? Removal of said card?

Take the advice from Frozen and just let it go

The joke is that he is speaking to a bitch. Calling a woman a bitch is sexist but calling a female dog a bitch is correct. Would you complain if they sold a book about dogs? Because that would contain the word too.

The joke is that he doesn't understand the gansta lyrics in his innocence, you see

There are plenty of things to get offended about OP. How about taking them to task over child labour, or sweatshop wages.

No, Op, I get you - 'tis puerile 'humour' - it's gangsta rap that misogynistic and M+S are guilty of perpetuating it by using it in a play on the different meanings/connotations of the word 'bitch'.

Unfunny.

Yes, I have matching bluestockings to go with my nylon cardie

I know someone who complained to M&S and had a product taken off the shelves. Sadly they didn't get lots of vouchers for their trouble.

I wouldn't like to receive that card for any occasion. What's it supposed to be for? Blank inside? It's absolute rubbish IMO.