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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is fairy tale of New York a sackable offence ?

240 replies

Veeveeoxox · 07/01/2022 09:36

My OH played fairy tale of New York the censored version on a zoom Christmas party, he works in IT contracting moved from financial services to the public sector. They are now saying many people got offended and hurt by the song and they are wondering if he's a good cultural fit for this department .

AIBU to think this is absolutely ridiculous ? My OH is already looking for another job as the field is such in high demand he's not worried. They also waited until today to tell him instead of a month ago when the supposed incident happened.

OP posts:
pinkpantherpink · 08/01/2022 18:18

Isn't it on most Christmas playlists now? Ridiculous

Not a stackable offence. And if they're offended and causing awkwardness he is probably better off finding a new job.

Weirdos

SamSoSer · 08/01/2022 18:34

It was a Christmas party not a meeting or work situation. Was it from home? i.e he was playing it in your home!

OmgIThinkILikeYou · 08/01/2022 18:41

Every person I know who has issues with this song are what I like to call 'straight saviours'. They aren't gay and don't socialise with many gay people yet like to tell everyone how offended they are over this song. It's easier to argue over a song lyric after a glass of white than it is to actually do anything. Nor would they want any change if it had any impact whatsoever on their lives.

thinkingaboutLangCleg · 08/01/2022 18:42

I had to look up the lyrics to remind myself what was so awful. "Old slut" -- what an insult to a woman! I literally died of horror when I read that. I was crying and shaking, to think I'd been enjoying the song all these years without realising I was being mortally wounded....

Or in other words, I'd be leaving as soon as I could find another job. What a miserable bunch your DH is working with. Sounds as if he could do better, and it'll be their loss.

And I could have been someone -- Well so could anyone is a brilliant line.

Jayne35 · 08/01/2022 18:42

I'm surprised they sang without any changes. I adore the song but I think the "faggot" slur isn't really something I want to hear

It wasn’t meant as a slur against gay people in this song though, I just took it as meaning lazy, useless etc. If it was a song that was homophobic then yes, absolutely, ban it and never play it again. Same as slut which used to mean lazy housewife or something. I like the song and really don’t get the uproar about it.

Op, I agree with others, they were just looking for a reason.

Dontwanttolivewithmylover · 08/01/2022 18:48

When either of my brothers or I were acting silly or playing tricks, my mum would say 'Stop that you silly faggot'.
Obviously, the word has now been appropriated by certain sectors of the community, as has the word 'gay'. Is it our fault if they have taken certain words and overlaid them with a different meaning, then decided we can't use them as it causes offence? It's ridiculous in the extreme.

MyFirstHypnosis · 08/01/2022 18:50

I simply can’t believe this is true.

Repecka · 08/01/2022 18:52

Absolutely not an offence he could be fired for.
He could advised that it was inappropriate and told not to do it again.
But, if he was fired then you could have them for unfair dismissal.

Thewarrenerswife · 08/01/2022 18:55

They only used the word faggot because it rhymes with maggot…. get a fucking grip.

RavingAnnie · 08/01/2022 18:59

@Dontgetyerknicksinatwist

Welcome to snowflake culture. And it will get worse. Pretty soon it will be like living in China and we will have to check everything we say for fear of losing our job and being “cancelled” from society…
Aren't we there already?!?
MrsMiggins9100 · 08/01/2022 18:59

its ridiculous. It is a classic song and the wording is not related to any particular group, faggot used to mean someone mangy and rotten, it is being taken over by woke people to clamp down even more of what we say and do. I love the song

Dancingonmoonlight · 08/01/2022 19:15

I'd love to know how many people supposedly got offended by a song that is often voted the most popular Christmas song on mainstream radio.

I agree it sounds like they are trying to get rid of him. By the sounds of it, he'd be much better off out of their working 'culture' too tbh. They sound awful.

ChiefStockingStuffer · 08/01/2022 19:15

The original version plays across the radio stations every year.

The fact he carefully didn't play that version says he did take any possibly concerns seriously and he should point that out to HR if he wants to stay there.

If he doesn't, then he should tell them to get a grip. Politely.

SquirrelG · 08/01/2022 19:36

Absolutely ridiculous! It was sung at a Christmas concert I recently attended, everyone seemed to cope!!

If I were your OH I would be looking for a new job ASAP - no way would I work in a place like that.

Mumontour85 · 08/01/2022 19:41

I'd be finding a new job, and when I quit this one I'd give the reason of 'this company is not a cultural fit for me - you are clearly a bunch of pathetic, idiotic woke pansy asshats and if a song upsets you then good luck with the rest of your sad little lives!'
Or wait for the dismissal and see them at the tribunal!

musicviking1 · 08/01/2022 20:12

I keep hearing about people being let go because they are not a good cultural fit...seems to suddenly be a popular excuse that's used to quickly get rid of someone if employed with a company for under two years.

Shovelhead · 08/01/2022 20:30

Suggest OH play his new reluctant boss 'Dont thi
nk twice it's alright' and run don't walk to a job that appreciates them

Feeasco · 08/01/2022 20:31

Ridiculously PC. I would want to leave anyway. Or perhaps stand your ground and seek clarification - I bet "the staff" was actually one sad staff member needing attention 🙄

alienalan · 08/01/2022 20:38

Wtaf, he should leave. They dont sound like a good fit for most of the population

Happyher · 08/01/2022 20:45

Am I the only one who thinks a faggot is a meatball?

blubberyboo · 08/01/2022 20:48

The word gay used to mean happy until it was used for something else and through time the old meaning got lost.

The f word in this song was intended to mean something else in the song so really people have no business being offended by it at all.

I would much rather the world would start working on misogynistic slurs first as they are as old as time. Funny when it is deemed a slur against a group of men, the snowflakes go apeshit

anon666 · 08/01/2022 20:49

I didn't even know there was something offensive about it.

Is it something obvious? Sung by two Irish singers?

And I'm in the public sector, sounds like I need to be aware.

Simonjt · 08/01/2022 20:55

@blubberyboo

The word gay used to mean happy until it was used for something else and through time the old meaning got lost.

The f word in this song was intended to mean something else in the song so really people have no business being offended by it at all.

I would much rather the world would start working on misogynistic slurs first as they are as old as time. Funny when it is deemed a slur against a group of men, the snowflakes go apeshit

Being offended by an extremely offensive slur isn’t being a snowflake. The word slut was the only word removed in the original radio edit, which you seem to have ignored.

Would you happily support the N word sung by a white artist?

user1471504747 · 08/01/2022 21:51

Why do people post employment advice so confidently when they clearly know nothing on the topic. Truly baffling Confused

elbea · 08/01/2022 22:06

They play it all day long on Radio One, I don’t think you’d get away with saying it’s inappropriate when the national broadcaster plays it.

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