AIBU to think that the Willys should be moved?

[RubyPatterson]

There are two branches of Poundland near us. Both stock a range of hen party type products, Penis straws, penis deelie boppers etc. Both stores display them on a low/middle shelf opposite sections that are for kids. One lot is situated directly opposite the toys and in the other store they are situated opposite the kids craft equipment.
AIBU to think that if they are going to sell them they should be situated elsewhere? My DS (11) asked me why they sell them and said that he thinks its inappropriate opposite the little kids toys etc.
They have been positioned like this for months now. On one occasion I was in Poundland without the kids (my life is that glamorous) and spoke to the manager. I mentioned that it's maybe not the ideal place for them. She said that she agreed and has had lots of complaints but when she has questioned it with her superiors they insist that, that is the plan for the store so that's where they are displayed.

I was in Poundland yesterday and thought exactly the same thing. I don't want to have to explain willy shaped drinking straws to my kids, or how that relates to hen night paraphernalia. If that makes me a prude then I'm fine with that description.

Chain stores like the ones you mention will typically have shelf plans which have been designed and distributed by those in Head Office to each store. The manager of the store has to have all the products in the store laid out like they are in the shelf plans. Obviously promotion bays and seasonal bays will change, but the main 'stock' of the store will stay the same unless one item is changed for another.

There won't be any point complaining to individual stores about this because they have to follow the plans. They are audited and checked throughout the year by Head Office/externals so everything needs to be as close to plan as possible.

You would be better writing to Head Office with your concerns as they are the only ones who will be able to do anything with your complaint. They may review your complaint and get a store plan change implemented. As I said, though, when it's a chain, there's very little the in store management can do.

I'm pretty sure most kids don't notice and don't know what they are. Not unless they watch porn and see loads of circumcised, erect willies!

@MintyMabel Food Appointment I'm never using the word reservation again!

@frostedviolets they are nowhere near the same

Exactly.

It's very odd to put them down the toy aisle, but come to think of it, all the party things in my local Poundland are opposite the toys, I shall be on the look out for penis straws and boppers next time there. It's a odd placement, but I don't think I'd get so worked up about it.

Penis shaped lolly pops or penis head boppers, gosh, even a card showing a couple shagging are just not comparable
Would you let your child wear them? Or would you buy that card for your child for his birthday?

There’s that list of animals with their should be names I can’t remember them all but a platypus was a duck puppy

Hush up, Elisheva. I'm just getting my special knicks on so that I can fuck my boyfriend in the street in front of frostedviolet's kids, safe in the knowledge that it's something we all do and it's nothing to be ashamed of.

YANBU. Why should children be exposed to that crap? What a double standard! Womens mags are on the top shelf/covered up because they show the female body but by leaving these willies everywhere they are enabling rape culture because they're teaching boys it's fine to get your dick out and show it to women/send them dick pics etc, where girls are taught to cover up. Given that images of women's bits are hidden in society, men's bits shouldn't be exposed opposite the toys either.

It's a bit odd to have them so near the toys but I don't imagine they'll consider moving them unless they get a lot of complaints.

Then again, most kids find bums and willies hilarious so I don't imagine there'll be a great deal of parents complaining to head office.

Deelie boppers are an absolute lifesaver if you're in a poor reception area - just pop some on your head and they function as a mobile 4G repeater wherever you go. They're standard issue in the SAS and considered an essential part of wearable comms kit for this very reason.

Fun fact.

At least they don't have real, human penises on them as a previous poster suggested...

That would probably be worse.

Would you let your child wear them? Or would you buy that card for your child for his birthday?

I wouldn't buy them for them but if they pointed them out in the shop I daresay we'd have a laugh about the willies, probably would try the boppers on briefly or swing the dildos about then put them back.
Kids find willies funny 🤷‍♀️
I see no reason to get panicked about it, it's just a depiction of a penis!

If my children did see a card depicting shagging and asked about it I would take it as an opportunity to teach about what it is depicting, teach about consent, healthy relationships etc.
But i wouldn't buy the card no.

I couldn't get excited about it

I'm fairly sure that if my 7yo noticed them that he'd find them funny and if he asked me who bought them or why I'd simply say 'sometimes people drink too much and like to wear willies on their heads for fun'

11pm in October is probably a bit cold for alfresco sex, prepared to be corrected tho

I'm just getting my special knicks on so that I can fuck my boyfriend in the street in front of frostedviolet's kids, safe in the knowledge that it's something we all do and it's nothing to be ashamed of

Crack on.

What a bizarre comparison! They are nowhere near the same.

So, not just another body part then?

They're standard issue in the SAS and considered an essential part of wearable comms kit for this very reason.

I really want this to be true.

men's bits shouldn't be exposed opposite the toys either

Won't somebody think of the toys

I'm fairly sure that if my 7yo noticed them that he'd find them funny and if he asked me who bought them or why I'd simply say 'sometimes people drink too much and like to wear willies on their heads for fun'

Exactly!
I can't believe the hysteria about this actually.

@Slappadabass @MiddleClassProblem

www.thepoke.co.uk/2019/10/15/people-sharing-embarrassing-moments-when-they-just-couldnt-think-right-word/ Has a few others that made me laugh too.

I can't believe the hysteria about this actually.

Hysteria? Really? Suggesting they put them somewhere more appropriate is hardly hysteria. For someone who pretends to be so cool, you seem strangely unable to gauge reactions.

Won't this end up in the DM and Poundland will need a better explanation than "they're not actual penises"?

What a bizarre comparison! They are nowhere near the same.
So, not just another body part then?

It IS just another body part and people shouldn't stop getting so hysterical about it (and boobs and bums and vag) but the situation you describe is obviously someone deliberately trying to intimidate or embarrass someone minor.
That is very different and totally unacceptable.

There is no innocent context where you would see a child and pull your cock out of your trousers.

But to try and claim that is no different to a headband with a pretend penis on it or a bag of pasta shaped like penises on a shelf is just bonkers!

"Hey, kids. That card with the man putting his special seed into the lady. Do you know what that is? It's an opportunity to talk about consent. Consent is very important because men and ladies can do whatever they like as long as they consent. Everyone is beautiful and we're all unicorns and ooh, look at this penis here. Do you like penises, Sebastian? It's very important to openly talk about penises in shops. Not everyone does that. Did you know that, Mabel? Ooh, look, Benjamin! Isn't mummy funny, playing with the dildo? Do you remember how we talked about dildos last time we were in poundland? That's right, there's no such thing as a bad dildo. Aren't you all so lucky that I can talk at you about penises and dildos? Not like those other children over there with Marvel characters. Their lives are so limited. Do you know what limited means, Adriana? Shall we go to the sauna?"