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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think there's nothing wrong with pirates as toys

30 replies

Suziewuzie28 · 09/11/2016 21:29

My Somalian husband thinks pirates as toys is completely inappropriate and they shouldn't be made or used as toys as pirates are criminal and nasty people.

He moved here when he was 11 so has grown up with British culture.
I've never even thought about it before,
What do you think. AIBU to think there's nothing wrong with pirates as toys?

OP posts:
perditalost · 09/11/2016 21:31

Well Somalian pirates tend to differ rather from your classic playmobil pirate.

TyneTeas · 09/11/2016 21:33

Has reminded me of this article about a pirate talk at a WI

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-22381593

(Sorry, not helpful to OP)

VladimirsPooTin · 09/11/2016 21:33

Is this real?

Original poster
Suziewuzie28 · 09/11/2016 21:33

He's says it doesn't matter,
Having pirates as toys is the same as having terrorists as toys. He's not joking!

OP posts:
Greengoddess12 · 09/11/2016 21:35

Oh come on!

MommaGee · 09/11/2016 21:36

Well I don't think pirate toys are an issue but they're also not a necessity. Just don't buy I guess and respect his view on it as its more pertinent than his?

Original poster
Suziewuzie28 · 09/11/2016 21:36

He says that pirates are criminals and evil people who Murder as their job.
They are no better than terrorists and we wouldn't have figurine terrorists complete with their uniform and guns.

So it's inappropariate to have pirates as toys complete with cannons and swords.

He's not joking. He's deadly serious. He's currently boxing up a pirate ship Toy the boys were given as a birthday present.

OP posts:
AmeliaJack · 09/11/2016 21:37

Actually he has a pretty valid point and one I've always made to my children.

However our culture has been glamourising pirates for a long long time ;no doubt because very few of the British population would ever encounter one up close) so it's unlikely to change now.

LoveMyPatio · 09/11/2016 21:38

I sort of agree with him.

fluffandsnuff · 09/11/2016 21:40

I had the same problem- until someone pointed out to me I was letting my DS run around in a Viking top 😂

LoveMyPatio · 09/11/2016 21:40

I've long thought that playing pirates will one day be looked on as badly as playing "cowboys and Indians". Although I dobt think it's appropriation as such?

llangennith · 09/11/2016 21:42

Disagree totally! DGS's Playmobil pirates are British and the opposition soldiers are either French or British judging by their outfits.
He needs to lighten up.
Even the pirate ships are pure 18th or 19th century. They're sailing ships!

FoxesOnSocks · 09/11/2016 21:43

Well he's Somalian so for him it's true.

Fauchelevent · 09/11/2016 21:44

I can kind of see it from his point of view - I always thought pirates were fictional and even now can't separate the idea of yarrrr mateys from actual pirates because piracy has never been a threat in my life whilst land terrorism has, and we'd NEVER glamourise that. I guess for a Somali person pirates are very real and no joking matter. Don't think the idea of pirates is likely to change in this country but it wouldn't hurt to respect him and his experiences.

ChocolateBudgeCake · 09/11/2016 21:45

I can understand where he's coming from. If he feels strongly then let him box up the pirate ship. There are plenty of alternative toys.

He needs to appreciate that for most of us real pirates are not in our circle of experience and seen as historical characters just as knights are.

Apachepony · 09/11/2016 21:48

I think I would respect his views on this, pirates are obviously thought of v differently in Somalia, and I can see his point. And it's not really a big deal not to have pirate toys is it?

AmeliaJack · 09/11/2016 21:49

To be fair to him though Ilan 18th century pirates were pretty horrific in their time.

HorridHenrietta2 · 09/11/2016 21:49

Although I personally have no problem with pirates, your dh is making a valid point and (since there's a huge range of toys out there) if it matters that much to him then I would respect that and steer clear of pirate toys.

RiverTam · 09/11/2016 21:50

I can totally see his point of view and in fact someone I used to work with was murdered by Somalian pirates, and it's something I've thought about every so often. We still have our pirate ship, though, it's not something that's that close to me.

I think in your household it would be perfectly acceptable to not allow pirates, they're not essential after all. You can explain why in an age appropriate way.

Very dismissive, and ignorant, to tell a Somalian to 'lighten up' over this issue.

JosephineMaynard · 09/11/2016 21:52

Now I've stopped to think about it, he's got a valid point.

The reality of pirates is, and was, very different - and brutal - to the romanticised pirates you see in popular culture and sold as children's toys.

I certainly don't feel as strongly about it as your DH, but I'd agree it's something where you should respect his view on this and agree not to buy pirate toys or encourage pirate play as he's bothered by it.

microsnake · 09/11/2016 21:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Binkybix · 09/11/2016 21:55

I've actually thought the same a couple of times, although we do have some pirate stuff.

Itisnoteasybeingdifferent · 09/11/2016 21:55

DP's granddad served in the Battle of the Somme...

He used to really mental if he saw children playing soldiers... Perhaps DH has a very good point?

DonaldTrumpsWig · 09/11/2016 21:56

Come to think of it, he has has a valid point. 18th century pirates were just as bad, although they have become romanticised over the years. I'd be inclined to respect his views as he feels strongly about it.

slightlyglitterbrained · 09/11/2016 21:56

He has a point, tbh. Though DS loves pirates (and we live in a city with a lot of romantic pirate stuff), it is pretty gruesome to think of the actual history behind it - it's weird to celebrate such a past! I think some of it might be muddied due to the 17th/18th century privateers - legalised piracy, effectively.

DS thinks pirates are about having treasure chests full of chocolate coins. It's harmless if he's never going to encounter pirates in real life. I can imagine that's not really the same for your DH.