Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Fish and thongs

Care home grants grandmother, 90, lifelong wish to be served fish supper by a man in a thong. Article.

Seriously, shame on anybody who sees anything wrong with this.

Update: Aha, I see I had missed something. I had read about this in an emailed article, which I could not find on the web, so I linked to this one without reading it first. The one I had read omitted the essential datum that the serving happened in the communal dining room, not in private. In that case I can understand somebody complaining.

Pascal commented:
Of course, those who don't like it are forbidden from NOT watching, so they have no other option but to call the police for help? ):-P
I mean, puh-leeze! An elderly lady dreaming of a young man in a THONG? (Notice how the article title put the word in subtle subliminal CAPITALS.) So WHAT? When did we cease looking at Dirty Old Women (or Men) with an understanding indulgence?
For once, Eolake, I don't understand you understanding some sourpisser complaining.

eolake said...
Well, a near-nude man in your dining room is hard to overlook, and I've learned that nudity simply makes some people very uncomfortable, whatever the reason.

It's disrespectful to sensor others because of your own discomfort, but it's also disrespectful to shove things in the faces of others which they are uncomfortable about, for no good reason.

No need to call the police (and I don't think anybody did), but this should have been done in private for the lady.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's absolutely brilliant :D

Pascal [P-04referent] said...

Of course, those who don't like it are forbidden from NOT watching, so they have no other option but to call the police for help? ):-P

I mean, puh-leeze! An elderly lady dreaming of a young man in a THONG? (Notice how the article title put the word in subtle subliminal CAPITALS.) So WHAT? When did we cease looking at Dirty Old Women (or Men) with an understanding indulgence?
For once, Eolake, I don't understand you understanding some sourpisser complaining.

"Inquisition not dead."

Eolake Stobblehouse said...

Well, a near-nude man in your dining room is hard to overlook, and I've learned that nudity simply makes some people very uncomfortable, whatever the reason.

It's disrespectful to sensor others because of your own discomfort, but it's also disrespectful to shove things in the faces of others which they are uncomfortable about, for no good reason.

No need to call the police (and I don't think anybody did), but this should have been done in private for the lady.

Anonymous said...

Aren't you in favor of widespread public nudity? That's shoving it in the faces of people who aren't comfortable.

Pascal [P-04referent] said...

There was recently in Lebanon an incident at a political reunion. One guy ordered a glass of wine for himself. Some muslim colleagues left in outrage, considering that was "shoving it in their faces" while their religion is against drinking alcohol.
For info, there's a very popular and neutral fruit drink in these parts that looks EXACTLY like red wine, so this wasn't about any visual offense per se. (It's called "toot". No, really, it is.)

What about people who are uncomfortable with blacks, jews, gays, wrinkled elders, amputees, etc... is it wrong to "shove it in their faces" by existing and walking the streets?
I'm a doctor, and still amputees make me uncomfortable, I can't help it! But I force myself to remember I'll never be as bothered as THEY are. And that it's all in my mind anyway.

What about people who aren't comfortable with others having liberties? Totalitarians, homophobes, religious fanatics (take your pick between Jerry Falwell and Osama BinLaden)? Bin Lulu can't stand a woman's presence or exposed face.

Just food for thought. I'll have mine served by a hottie in nothing but a thong, please.
(Psst! Tell her the thong is not mandatory. I'm very broad-minded.)