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?

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.

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

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

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

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

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 ).

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

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

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

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".

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.

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.

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

I think you're overreacting OP

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

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.

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

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.

If you're not an offended gay man yabu.

Sirchenjin.

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.

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

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

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

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

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