Notafettler
Guest
Unless your a lefty like Ian hislop who uses phrases like "handbags at dawn" regularly. Oops he's upper middle class not working class. We should no our place!
Handbags - acceptable language?
- Thread starter matticus
- Start date
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mudsticks
Obviously an Aubergine
I didn't know that's what he was like in those ways.
That's sad isnt it.
And I don't think the 'he was of his time' excuse really holds water either
- I've known plenty of men of his vintage who weren't at all like that.
To suggest that he wasn't capable of knowing any better because of his 'age' is a bit insulting to many from the same era who could advance their thinking, and perspectives, over time perfectly well.
Women are actually far more likely to be verbally harassed, or attacked by men, than the other way round, when out by themselves - so maybe this is why she is more guarded.
For all we know she may have suffered this directly, hence the ultra defensive stance.
IaninSheffield
Veteran
- Location
- Sheffield, UK
Anyone's entitled to hold any opinion and express it, surely? In the public arena however, whether the BBC, Twitter, Instagram or CycleChat, there are certain standards which, if we choose to participate, we are obliged to accept. It's less about political correctness and more about being aware that the language we choose might have a detrimental effect on those around us. Phrases such as "he'd have been better wearing a skirt", particularly if part of everyday language but especially when used by public figures, can have an insidious effect on the self-perception of our daughters, granddaughters and nieces.
mudsticks
Obviously an Aubergine
Having perused this thread I'd say very good luck to you on convincing people who clearly don't care, to care very much about their use of language as regards to its effect on others.
There seems to be an attitude of "Well I say this down the pub / round me mates, so what's the problem, with the BBC using it"
Any attempt to dicuss deeper or wider consequences of language usage will be met with
"Oh It's all PC gone mad, you can't* say
anything nowadays"
* As they go about saying precisely what they like..
Clearly the irony is lost in translation.
Oh well - worth a try now and then
OP
OP
matticus
Guru
Because my local Big Naked Blokes Cage-Fighting club is closed due to COVID.
Bunch of woofters, scared of a teeny virus, pffft ...
OP
OP
matticus
Guru
It's all about context - I bet BBC staff can swear in most of their working day. But they would be in trouble on the 10-oclock-news.
(I've never had a job where swearing was totally banned in practice. Some places it was rife, no-one cared. Most jobs it's ok from time-to-time in the right place; but not in front of a customer, and don't write it in an email! etc etc ...)
DRM
Guru
- Location
- West Yorks
God forbid they’d watch a rugby league match when the “handbags at dawn“ happens with several well built blokes pushing and shoving and punching each other, only for the referee to split them up, and they do as they’re told too, the world truly has gone mad, we would be better off not talking to people at this rate.
All uphill
Still rolling along
- Location
- Somerset
Notafettler
Guest
Maybe because of there hypocrisy
Which you don't appear to have a problem with.
mudsticks
Obviously an Aubergine
I'm sorry, what are you talking about here?
Beebo
Firm and Fruity
- Location
- Hexleybeef
OP
OP
matticus
Guru
Yes beebo, that seems to be the case: but the BBC have made themselves look vv silly if they said that "handbags" was even one of the contributory offences!
[I am confident of my view that "drama queen" is also entirely inoffensive too; but "handbags" does make a better "PC gawn mad" story!]
[I am confident of my view that "drama queen" is also entirely inoffensive too; but "handbags" does make a better "PC gawn mad" story!]
mudsticks
Obviously an Aubergine
I know it won't make the slightest bit of difference to "your view" because that's obv the only rational and sensible view here, and everyone else is talking utter nonsense.
But fwiw (I should be planting salad) in some contexts gender based insults can cause offense.
Take for example 'Drama Queen"
Why did "Drama King" not hold the same power to insult, or convey an implication ??
Because it doesn't contain within it that tired old stereotype of the female or even perhaps the homosexual being disproportionately irrational, and over the top, in their reactions to events not to their liking, perhaps?
This feeds into that whole pantheon of notions such as women's emotional reactions being hysterical, or unreasonable in some way.
That women, are liable to irrational outbursts, whereas chaps are always strong and steady (evidentially untrue - but there we go)
.
If a man is considered to have 'overeacted' he is often insulted by being likened to a female.
Thereby not only insulting him, but also reinforcing and perpetuating the stereotype that strong emotional reactions are primarily a female characteristic.
Untrue, unfair, and unhelpful, for all genders.
Particularly, whilst meanwhile, on other threads there are people trying to navigate the choppy waters of healthy emotional expression of distress for men.
Wow
what a lot of words for you to take no notice of, whatsoever 
Deleted User
Guest
- Location
- Wolverhampton
As a matter of interest then, If you overheard someone accusing a fella of being a Drama Queen you would be offended because you're a Women?
I assume you are a Woman.
I assume you are a Woman.
mudsticks
Obviously an Aubergine
I might be offended on behalf of womanhood, and the slur on womanhood in general perhaps, depends on the context.
But I'd say generally it's just lazy stereotyping.
Why not use something gender neutral, or appropriate to that gender to describe what you feel is an excessive response to an event.
I mean we're talking about some people, who are being paid to give commentary on a men's football game here yes?
They're professional speakers right??
Descriptive words are their business, am I correct ??
So surely they could make an effort to find some terms more apposite to what they're describing??
Just seems thoughtless and lazy, if nothing else.
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