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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:
hoobanoobie · 07/12/2023 00:50

With little ones learning to read there will always be something inappropriate you'll come across at random. At that stage you make a point of ignoring it and distracting them. Same goes for older kids. But around ten or so it's going to start creeping in that they understand it because kids are getting ridiculously aware of things early these days, generally because they hear things from their classmates.
My issue living where I do was the constant shouting and swearing of adults and teens in public. Vile words spewed out anywhere we went. I would always make a point of asking them to stop but you're already losing at that point. No one around here cares how loud they are and who might be nearby. "Fuck this, fuck that, that fucking bastard etc" at full volume is a given on public transport and wherever we were going. Even "that little fucking cunt" for example.
What I’m getting at is you can't police everything. Shops won't alter their displays for kids who might read and see inappropriate things. Nor will people have a second thought about their behaviour and language and what audience they have nearby.
Being completely honest, people just do not give a shit any more. Some of us still do and wouldn’t dare to speak like that and do want better for kids, but we're the absolute minority and we'll never be listened to. Which I think is absolutely pathetic, it's hardly strenuous to portray common decency. Civility exited stage left a long time ago.
When I’m away from DD it feels like absolute relief to swear like a docker just for a little while (pent up frustration lone parent), but as I don’t do it at home I am aware of who might hear so I take note and adjust my (small freedom) potty mouth.

hazandduck · 07/12/2023 01:11

You can’t protect your kids from everything. My five year old read the graffiti at the bus stop very loudly recently! ”Mummy why did someone write ‘Suck my boy dick?’ over there?” Whilst the crowd waiting for the bus quietly tittered and I shushed her before my 3 year old repeated it! Mortifying but just one of those things! She didn’t melt or anything 😂

StarlightLady · 07/12/2023 04:52

Congrats on giving this the extra publicity. Nice one!

pictoosh · 07/12/2023 05:17

Agree with @hazandduck - complain about this and encounter similar in the next shop or street.
It's not something I ever worried about and my kids survived. 😀

spidermonkeys · 07/12/2023 06:32

I am more shocked that HMV is still going !

CornishGem1975 · 07/12/2023 06:35

I wouldn't say HMV is a shop aimed at young children so on that basis it's not that unreasonable. If they were on the shelves in The Entertainer then maybe!

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 07/12/2023 09:40

I don't think it's appropriate either.

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 07/12/2023 09:41

Especially with the connotations of flashing, frankly.

CatherinedeBourgh · 07/12/2023 09:47

Meh. I just explained whatever I came across to my dc, in a matter of fact way, and they invariably shrugged and moved on. They are not in any way traumatised and are perfectly normal teens, who don't understand what the fuss about things referring to sex is (or why so many swearwords are about a perfectly normal body function).

AuntieStella · 07/12/2023 09:47

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?”!

Edited

Yes they reopened on Oxford Street a couple of weeks ago. Made it into the news

I don't think an online petition will achieve anything, but even if it did it would take weeks to come to pass

Lots of people in store making RL complaints is more likely to be effective - especially if you ask to speak to the manager and their time keeps getting tied up over the same damned issue.

Even though twitter is not what it was, I'd complain on there as well.

Doubleespresso33 · 07/12/2023 09:51

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.

🤣this is a bit dramatic. It’s hardly taking away their innocence. Most children won’t know what a “cock” is anyway and it’s hardly going to scare them for life. Toughen up a little bit. You can’t bubble wrap kids and expect them to be ready for the real world. Instead children should be encouraged to talk about things they are unsure about. If my son read this and asked me a question I’d tell him it’s a line from a movie and he would think nothing more of it

stealthninjamum · 07/12/2023 09:57

I don’t think it’s appropriate next to kids items, I can remember having to explain chlamydia from a poster in a doctor’s waiting room with a six / seven year old but you expect that. I can imagine one of my kids finding the word cock funny at that age and getting in trouble at school for repeating it.

Maybe I’m a prude but I can’t even imagine anyone seriously displaying that in their house or workplace. I got flashed at when I was younger and people thought it was hilarious, I would really judge someone who bought anything with this slogan.

AuntieStella · 07/12/2023 09:59

I don't think it's the case that anyone would expect this to "scare them for life"

It's more a case of what are appropriate boundaries for adult-themed material on public display.

And whether displays at child head height, where there are items that are definitely targeted at children, are ever the right place for vulgar sexual reference

Blueskies3 · 07/12/2023 10:01

That’s gross and not ok. I feel like kids grow up fast enough as it is.

Bobbotgegrinch · 07/12/2023 10:15

To be fair, none of the merch in that section is aimed at children.

You're right though that it wouldn't have hurt them to move them a bit higher.

ManateeFair · 07/12/2023 10:16

HMV isn't a kids' shop and it doesn't have to be kid-friendly.

MrsMorrisey · 07/12/2023 10:19

I'd be annoyed too OP.
And the posters being really cool about it, it's pretty revolting to hear a Fuck come out of a childs mouth.

Dotjones · 07/12/2023 10:23

I'm not even remotely surprised HMV does this. In the Brighton HMV there was a period where the World Cinema blu-rays were right next to the children's ones. Genius planning, the cover of Pasolini's "Salò" was wonderfully positioned adjacent to "Peppa Pig".

LakeTiticaca · 07/12/2023 10:25

It is inappropriate and high st stores should be mindful of this . Young children are exposed to enough inappropriate information already without shops getting in on the act. However, the shops will have planograms telling them where to put the stock so its not the fault of the staff. They are probably not over the moon about it either

Aaron95 · 07/12/2023 10:35

HMV isn't a kids shop. They don't sell anything small children would be interested in.

Aaron95 · 07/12/2023 10:40

Dotjones · 07/12/2023 10:23

I'm not even remotely surprised HMV does this. In the Brighton HMV there was a period where the World Cinema blu-rays were right next to the children's ones. Genius planning, the cover of Pasolini's "Salò" was wonderfully positioned adjacent to "Peppa Pig".

Very strange combination. There aren't many Tories in Brighton.

AdobeWanKenobi · 07/12/2023 10:42

How much was the fresh out of fucks one?
😁

MelsMoneyTree · 07/12/2023 10:44

Aaron95 · 07/12/2023 10:35

HMV isn't a kids shop. They don't sell anything small children would be interested in.

Yy they do. Lots of cartoon ranges, kids' video game products and cute kawaii merch. As well as soft toys and POP figures.

Stephisaur · 07/12/2023 10:46

I don't consider HMV to be a children's shop, so I wouldn't bat an eyelid to be quite honest with you.

I'd expect children younger than teens to be accompanied in the store, and parents to have conversations with them about the language if required.

Guesswho88 · 07/12/2023 10:48

Friarclose · 06/12/2023 23:34

It's a line from American Pie: The Wedding

Yes thank you for that, iconic film, however you have inadvertently proved the OP's point - that film is certified 15. I think I would be complaining too OP.