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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:
StickGirl22 · 07/12/2023 16:36

I think you have too much time on your hands. Maybe get a hobby?

crispcreambun · 07/12/2023 16:38

TheKeatingFive · 07/12/2023 16:30

but as a parent, it is your job to explain that shop is not for them and gently direct to them to Game instead.

Im really not sure why you aren't understanding the difference between Anne Summers and HMV.

Squishmallows are not equivalent to brightly coloured sex toys/lingerie. I honestly can't understand why you need this explained.

For what it's worth, if HMV wanted to specify that they are solely open to teenagers and up and restrict children's access, then fine. But if they aren't going to do that and stock squishmallows and Pokémon merch, then I don't think it's too much to ask to not put this material at child eye level right beside them.

I'm not sure they can legally restrict to teens and up. They already signal who the shop is for with the explicit music and gore on display. If the pearl-clutch-prone choose to ignore that and wander in anyway (with kids), well that's on them.

Take your kids to a kid-specific shop if you want a guaranteed sanitised experience.

Frequency · 07/12/2023 16:38

@TheKeatingFive you realise that children are allowed to enter an Anne Summers shop, yes?

But, just like HMV it is not marketed to children.

TheKeatingFive · 07/12/2023 16:40

They already signal who the shop is for with the explicit music and gore on display.

Gore?

But then they've mixed messages with the kid friendly merch.

They don't have to legally do anything. Just put out some guidance. I've never seen anything remotely like that from them.

TheKeatingFive · 07/12/2023 16:40

you realise that children are allowed to enter an Anne Summers shop, yes?

Not 'the back' I believe. Where the sex toys are.

coxesorangepippin · 07/12/2023 16:43

😂😂

crispcreambun · 07/12/2023 16:46

TheKeatingFive · 07/12/2023 16:40

They already signal who the shop is for with the explicit music and gore on display.

Gore?

But then they've mixed messages with the kid friendly merch.

They don't have to legally do anything. Just put out some guidance. I've never seen anything remotely like that from them.

It's not mixed messages just because some of the merch for teens and adults also happens to appeal to kids.

The signalling with the explicit music and gory images and 18+ films IS the guidance.

DaizenShine · 07/12/2023 16:46

My store where I work has an adult section (juggling boobs, stress willys, Willy warmers - you name it really). I even had to amputate the penis from a "duck with a dick" once as a child wanted it and their parents were happy to buy without that feature. We sell kids stuff too. The company's stance is pretty much "that's what we sell unfortunately". Had adults usher their kids away from that section which is totally fair. Most adults don't mind at all and will laugh with their child although very age dependent! It is what it is really.

Frequency · 07/12/2023 16:49

But then they've mixed messages with the kid friendly merch

It's not kid-friendly merch, though. As has been explained it is products which are designed for and marketed to teenagers and young adults. Just because children also like them does not mean that children are their sole, or even main target audience.

Besides, that is only a small portion of what HMV sells. Most of their merch is adult-themed anime, horror and sci-fi. You'd have to be pretty dense to get more than a few steps into an HMV and not realise it is not a children's shop.

WhileMyDishwasherGentlyWeeps · 07/12/2023 16:49

TheKeatingFive · 07/12/2023 16:40

you realise that children are allowed to enter an Anne Summers shop, yes?

Not 'the back' I believe. Where the sex toys are.

Fantastic stuff. Detailed knowledge of Anne Summers shop layouts, product arrangements and in-store admission policies.

This is all new to me. All respect, Ms KeatingFive.

alltoomuchrightnow · 07/12/2023 16:52

I remember when Poundland in Surbiton had vibrating cock rings on the actual counter by the tills! And looked kinda appealing with the neon pink to little ones...
Couldn't get worked out re the mugs

2023forme · 07/12/2023 16:56

crispcreambun · 07/12/2023 15:05

It’s not necessary to take kids into a shop targeting teens and adults either. We deserve to have shops that aren’t sanitised to the hilt lest young Tarquin see something untoward. It would also potentially alienate their target market—the people who actually spend money in there and keep the business afloat—if they decide to go all kid friendly.

Show quote history

but HMV is essentially a music store and should be somewhere parents don’t need to worry about their DC seeing not even funny but just gratuitously “rude” stuff.

I don’t agree with you re the target market. I would wager a lot of parents are shopping in HMV especially around Christmas- and many with young DC in tow.

using “young Tarquin” does make your post rather sneering.

TheKeatingFive · 07/12/2023 16:57

It's not mixed messages just because some of the merch for teens and adults also happens to appeal to kids.

Thats were we don't agree. It's not an incidental 'happens to', they are a core part of the market (have you ever seen a squishmallow)?

HMV aren't stupid. They know kids will be attracted to this material. So they should be mindful. Or explicitly specify that the store isn't a suitable environment

TheKeatingFive · 07/12/2023 16:58

This is all new to me. All respect, Ms KeatingFive.

🫡

TheKeatingFive · 07/12/2023 17:00

Most of their merch is adult-themed anime, horror and sci-fi

Well put the mugs with that stuff, not the squishmallows then.

crispcreambun · 07/12/2023 17:05

2023forme · 07/12/2023 16:56

but HMV is essentially a music store and should be somewhere parents don’t need to worry about their DC seeing not even funny but just gratuitously “rude” stuff.

I don’t agree with you re the target market. I would wager a lot of parents are shopping in HMV especially around Christmas- and many with young DC in tow.

using “young Tarquin” does make your post rather sneering.

Show quote history

Oh no someone on middle class mumsnet thinks I'm sneering. lol.

HMV is a music, movie and merch store and has been for donkeys years now. Included in that is explicit parental advisory music, 18+ movies and merch for adults. Take your kids in at your own risk. It's that simple.

Frequency · 07/12/2023 17:05

@TheKeatingFive The mugs are not with the squishmallows Confused

It looks like they are on the sale shelf with all the other reduced-price items. Common sense would surely dictate that a shop that sells mostly adult-themed products, whose target audience is adults and teenagers would have adult products on the reduced rack.

If a parent is unable to properly supervise their child in shops selling items for adults then perhaps they should stick with The Disney Store rather than expecting shops aimed at teens and adults to cater to their PFB.

crispcreambun · 07/12/2023 17:11

TheKeatingFive · 07/12/2023 16:57

It's not mixed messages just because some of the merch for teens and adults also happens to appeal to kids.

Thats were we don't agree. It's not an incidental 'happens to', they are a core part of the market (have you ever seen a squishmallow)?

HMV aren't stupid. They know kids will be attracted to this material. So they should be mindful. Or explicitly specify that the store isn't a suitable environment

Squishmallows gained popularity on social media, where little kids have no right to be. So yeah, targeting teens and young adults with that one. If you want to take your kids to get one without seeing all that icky teen and adult stuff you can always take them to a dedicated children't shop.

HMV have stayed in business all this time. I think they know where the money is coming from, and it's not children.

betterangels · 07/12/2023 17:11

If a parent is unable to properly supervise their child in shops selling items for adults then perhaps they should stick with The Disney Store rather than expecting shops aimed at teens and adults to cater to their PFB.

You'd think that was common sense.

FrustatedAgain · 07/12/2023 17:14

YANBU they should be out of sight line of small children.
I'm most surprised there are still HMV stores on the high street, I assumed they'd gone under years ago! I'm sure it won't be long and they'll disappear along with their potty mouthed mugs!

TheKeatingFive · 07/12/2023 17:18

Squishmallows gained popularity on social media, where little kids have no right to be.

This is just deliberately obtuse. That doesn't mean they stayed there. That doesn't mean they aren't promoted in other ways. They're very popular with the under tens, which shouldn't surprise a single soul as they are very cute, squishy, toy/pillows and all over the toy shops.

TimetoPour · 07/12/2023 17:21

Yup, there will always be someone who sets the bar so low, it is a tavern in Hades.

Realistically though, it will go over the heads of very young children and children that are old enough to know it is rude language are also old enough to know that there are some things you don’t repeat in public. Sadly, you can’t shield them from everything.

FreshWinterMorning · 07/12/2023 17:22

2023forme · 07/12/2023 16:56

but HMV is essentially a music store and should be somewhere parents don’t need to worry about their DC seeing not even funny but just gratuitously “rude” stuff.

I don’t agree with you re the target market. I would wager a lot of parents are shopping in HMV especially around Christmas- and many with young DC in tow.

using “young Tarquin” does make your post rather sneering.

Show quote history

This. ^

FreshWinterMorning · 07/12/2023 17:24

FrustatedAgain · 07/12/2023 17:14

YANBU they should be out of sight line of small children.
I'm most surprised there are still HMV stores on the high street, I assumed they'd gone under years ago! I'm sure it won't be long and they'll disappear along with their potty mouthed mugs!

They probably will. They are really expensive. I often look in there, find some stuff I like, and then go look on the internet and buy it from someone on there.

Frequency · 07/12/2023 17:24

Squishmallows might be promoted in other ways but HMV are not stocking them for children. They are stocking them for the original, intended target audience which is teens and young adults. They don't sell toys. They sell merchandise popular with teens and adults.

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