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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Rock out with your cock out

218 replies

Feedtheworld1982 · 06/12/2023 15:56

I need some perspective on this. I was in HMV today, and amongst the merchandise, most of which is firmly aimed at children were a selection of mugs saying “fresh out of fucks” and “rock out with your cock out”. These were very much at children’s eye level and I gently pointed this out to a member of staff who just said “ok?”.

I messaged HMV and asked them to consider the positioning of the products in store and they responded saying they believe it’s displayed in a responsible fashion.

I feel like I’m completely out of touch. If I had DS (under 10) with me I would have been very cross to have him reading that among the Minecraft merch. AIBU to think they could have been put out somewhere else in store?

Rock out with your cock out
OP posts:
MrBigsCat · 06/12/2023 15:59

I’d hate this too, imagine 5 years olds just learning to read and trying to read everything they see 😣

Friarclose · 06/12/2023 23:34

It's a line from American Pie: The Wedding

Pinkpinkpink15 · 06/12/2023 23:37

Friarclose · 06/12/2023 23:34

It's a line from American Pie: The Wedding

@Friarclose

its irrelevant where it's from! It shouldn't be at a child's eye level.

wjpa · 06/12/2023 23:38

I don't think I would have worried about this when my kids were little. A little reception classmate was saying fuck before they could read.

Sugarfish · 06/12/2023 23:38

I can’t say it would bother me, we had a few “quirky” gift shops when I was younger which had stuff like that in it. Me and my friends just giggled at it, it didn’t do us any harm. Pretty sure Hawkins Bazaar a few years ago sold penis shaped pasta at small children’s eye level

Fionaville · 06/12/2023 23:39

So it's on a shelf between Animal crossing and what looks like the rose lamp from Beauty and the beast? Completely out of order. I'd keep on at the head office. Kids shouldn't be reading that.
Remember in the newsagents when porno mags would be on the very top shelf? (Maybe they still are) As seedy as that was, at least a bit of effort was being made to hide it from kids. Nobody seems to care these days!

Bambi1449 · 06/12/2023 23:39

MrBigsCat · 06/12/2023 15:59

I’d hate this too, imagine 5 years olds just learning to read and trying to read everything they see 😣

Exactly! I totally agree. Whatever it's a quote from it's still not nice for young children to have to see.

Whatthefnow · 06/12/2023 23:40

The horror!

AnotherDanceClass · 06/12/2023 23:40

I don't think I would have worried about this when my kids were little. A little reception classmate was saying fuck before they could read.

And? It’s a low bar.

ImustLearn2Cook · 06/12/2023 23:45

Yanbu. It’s aimed at adults so should be at eye level for adults not children. They are placed with popular children’s merchandise. And they are not appropriate for children.

Children deserve to have their childhood innocence protected.

Get an online petition going. If it’s not against MN talk guidelines post a link. I’ll sign it.

Yesterdayortomorrow · 06/12/2023 23:45

wjpa · 06/12/2023 23:38

I don't think I would have worried about this when my kids were little. A little reception classmate was saying fuck before they could read.

Wow and I thought I lived in a rough area

NuffSaidSam · 06/12/2023 23:47

YANBU it should be on a higher shelf. They'd probably sell more too because if you're in the market for an adult mug you're probably not looking in amongst stuff aimed at kids. It's bad business even if they don't give a shit about kids reading it.

determinedtomakethiswork · 06/12/2023 23:48

My response to the message would be okay, I just won't shop there anymore

NewtonPulsifer · 06/12/2023 23:49

yanbu. Having this stuff next to kids stuff is sad.

If you can’t stop it, can you “eclipse” if like I do the Scum newspaper by putting other products in front of it?

KingsleyBorder · 06/12/2023 23:58

I agree with you wholeheartedly. However my first thought on reading the OP was “Wow, HMV still have shops?”!

KingsleyBorder · 06/12/2023 23:59

I think you should “X” the picture and their response.

UrghAnotherOne · 07/12/2023 00:00

Pretty sure Hawkins Bazaar a few years ago sold penis shaped pasta at small children’s eye level

They did, in fact many penis shaped items, many more "in your face" than pasta, alongside the rest of their range which was 95% toys for kids.

I did complain about that, but got a similar response.

whynotwhatknot · 07/12/2023 00:03

usually one to tell people to get overthemselvs but this is wrong

its meant to be a shop for everyone not just teens and adults

easylikeasundaymorn · 07/12/2023 00:06

I'm not easily shocked or offended but I agree with you.
It's not like you're saying the store shouldn't sell those mugs (although they're a bit shit), just that maybe the best place for merchandise encouraging adult men to expose their penises isn't next to the animal crossing board game?

Str8talkin · 07/12/2023 00:21

This reply has been deleted

This was started by a persistent troll.

Kittylickingplate · 07/12/2023 00:30

I agree.
I don't mind adult humour but it's for adults.

I remember when my children were little , 20 odd years ago, and there was a radio ad for XXX wax where the phone number for booking was 'Dial 233, 0 0 0000000 with a woman moaning. Gross.
I had to turn it off quick or the kiddos copied it. No one wants little people being 'sexy'

Off to clutch my pearls.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 07/12/2023 00:37

Am I out of touch…How do your under 10’s know what a cock is? If they do then they’ll already know it’s not appropriate for them and if they don’t they’ll just not understand it?

I’m sure it wasn’t a master plan to corrupt children so on that level I’d probably drug it off.

SurelySmartie · 07/12/2023 00:38

“Wow, HMV still have shops?”

Exact same.

Carouselfish · 07/12/2023 00:42

Agree with you OP.
Similarly, I hate the newspaper a-frame boards outside newsagents with massive headlines like CHILD PORN and SEX PERVERT CONVICTED.
My 8 year old can read, thanks!

DaðiFreyrstrexarms · 07/12/2023 00:48

Whilst it could be placed with other items more pairable than animal crossing and batb, I'd just like to point out that actually many teens and adults of varying ages buy pop cult, gaming merch, music etc stuff from hmv - my household have some of the luminous rude mugs and we get t shirts and kawaii items there as well as films and albums.

Yes they're selling things for younger kids too but a lot more of what they're selling is aimed at teens and adults than I think you realise. Us nerds have to get our stuff somewhere.