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Original poster

Am I over-reacting or is this slogan on this vest completely out of order!!!!!!

44 replies

blossomgoodwill · 28/12/2004 18:04

Just popped onto one of my favourite sites Asos and was really surprised to come across this vest top
I just thought that the reason behind it all was really out of order. What about people that are deaf??? Isn't this going to offend them when they see it.
Has hit a raw nerve with me as ds is in a school that has a hearing impaired unit and one of his good friend is deaf. I also have a friend whose ds is deaf.
I just find it so offensive and unnecessary. I also find it and feel too.
Trying to find an e-mail address so I can complain [angry

OP posts:
terryschonkyorange · 28/12/2004 18:08

I agree entirely - that is really offensive . Let us know if you find a mail address to complain to so we can stick it to em.

doggiewalker · 28/12/2004 18:12

Sorry, might be being provocative here, don't know if it's just me, but this t-shirt doesn't really offend me terribly, not like those baby t-shirts we saw recently. It might be different if I knew a deaf person I suppose. Sorry .

Gwenick · 28/12/2004 18:14

Got a few deaf relatives and a deaf neighbour - can't say this really offends me -

Original poster
blossomgoodwill · 28/12/2004 18:14

I agree doggiewalker that it's because I do. I know how hard it is for these children anyway but imagine walking into a Nightclub and seeing one of those. It's unnecesarry IMO

OP posts:
terryschonkyorange · 28/12/2004 18:17

Likewise, it's because I know people who're sensory impaired that I find it unnecessary.

NameChangingMancMidlander · 28/12/2004 18:22

It doesn't offend me hugely, in fact I think quite a few of members of the deaf community may find it quite amusing, tbh. It is a bit unnecessary, I agree, but nor am I 'get out of my pram' angry about it.

NameChangingMancMidlander · 28/12/2004 18:23

All for you complaining though.

TBH, I'm more offended by the shapeless and tacky nature of the fit, than I am by the writing on it !

Original poster
blossomgoodwill · 28/12/2004 18:24

ncmm - sorry but can't see anyone from the "deaf community" finding this amusing. Don't get that at all

OP posts:
NameChangingMancMidlander · 28/12/2004 18:28

A large percentage of the deaf community is very insular and find hearing people really rather ignorant and tiresome, it may appeal to deaf person with a dry/sarcastic sense of humour.

lockets · 28/12/2004 18:33

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Original poster
blossomgoodwill · 28/12/2004 18:37

I think you are right Lockets in that is cheap. maybe it has offended me more as I have a special needs child and find anything like that upsetting. Still very badtaste IMO

OP posts:
coppertop · 28/12/2004 18:40

I think the fact that they've had to reduce it to less than half-price says it all tbh. It's tacky and no-one really wants to buy this kind of cr@p.

I don't find it particularly offensive as such, but I wouldn't say that I found it amusing either. I don't know why they advertise it as something to wear in nightclubs. It looks like the sort of thing that might possibly appeal to a group of 12yr-olds.

SantaClausfrau · 28/12/2004 19:09

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
blossomgoodwill · 28/12/2004 19:21

It is being offensive to a particular group of people and that's what I take offence to. I don't think it's funny and I certainly don't find it very clever.

OP posts:
lockets · 28/12/2004 19:23

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snowflakes · 28/12/2004 19:24

Who would wear this top anyway? You'd have to have abit of a bad attitude to buy it in the first place IMO!

coppertop · 28/12/2004 19:26

LOL Lockets!

Should've added in my last post that I'm partially deaf and use hearing-aids.

Socci · 28/12/2004 20:03

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fisilhohoho · 28/12/2004 20:11

Just pointless to have rude slogans on your clothes IMO.

My school has a hearing impaired unit. I was once teaching a class which included HIU kids when their head of year came in to give the class a stern warning about something or other. He made his point and then said "and for those of you who are hard of hearing I'll say that again." Afterwards he said he was mortified when he realised what an insensitive figure of speech he'd used and went to find the girls to apologise - as soon as he approached them they were giggling - they'd found it really funny (but I think were glad he'd apologised).

I think what people are saying is right - a stupid thing to put on a T-shirt, but it is the general tackiness that is the main issue!

Caligulights · 28/12/2004 20:20

I'm not offended by the deaf bit of it. Deafness runs in my family, so I'm resigned to the fact that I'll be deaf in about twenty years (my mother and two aunts are partially deaf (one more than the other) and my grandmother got progressively deafer as she got older - it appears to be a progressively worsening condition in my family).

I just don't see why announcing that you're not deaf is very offensive. Lucky you, I guess. OTOH, announcing that you're ignoring someone is deliberately offensive, and that's what I don't like about these tacky T shirts. It's the sheer aggression of them in a society where road rage and impatience is coming to be socially acceptable that I dislike quite intensely.

Original poster
blossomgoodwill · 28/12/2004 20:27

I think it's the "I am not deaf, I'm ignoring you". that has annoyed me. I can't explain why but knowing children that are deaf and knowing the impact it has on them has made me feel offended.
Another way to put it is what if someone was slouching around and didn't get up and had something like "I am not disabled, just lazy" on it. Sorry to use that as an example but it's the first to come to my head. Is that acceptable????
IMO no and I think it's the same.

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Socci · 28/12/2004 20:32

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JaysMumWantsaSilentNight · 28/12/2004 20:38

with you on this Bloss.
I hate slogan T-shirts.
a friend of mine has a tee shirt with
"You've been a naughty boy.Now go to my room." written on it.
J asked her what her T-shirt said so she told him....he was so worried that he had done something wrong and still to this day he always remembers the t-shirt whenever she comes to the house.It's such a shame he has associated something bad with such a lovely person...but he cant see past that.

Original poster
blossomgoodwill · 28/12/2004 20:48

Hello Jaysmum Knew you'd agree with me as we do think alike! Jay is like dd in that he takes everything literal!
Thanks Socci
Being a parent of a special needs child I know what a hard world we live in and how hard it is for my dd to fit into society. That's why things like this make my blood boil

OP posts:
coppertop · 28/12/2004 21:53

I've been thinking this one over and trying to work out why it doesn't seem to affect me much whereas the disabled example would. I think it's because the word "deaf" has always been used in everyday language/speech. Even now people who have known me for years will still say without thinking "Are you deaf or something?" before realising what they've actually said. I know it's not logical but if the slogan had been "I'm not hearing-impaired - I'm just ignoring you" then I would find that pretty offensive.

I'm probably not making much sense.