The jokes and other slogans in greetings cards have become so rude and potentially offensive that shops are having to take action. Branches of the stationery shop Scribbler now carry a sign in their windows, warning that some of its cards are “of an adult nature”. Paperchase has gone a step further: it has started putting explicit cards on the top shelf.
Could someone explain the cultural advantage of using four letter words and references to body parts, especially those of women? I am truly mystified. I remember my English teacher saying that those who use disgusting language do so because they are basically inarticulate and have lousy command of the language. A civilised person has no need of vulgarity. And yet, this form of speech and writing seems to be increasingly acceptable. Of course, one person’s “disgusting” is part of another person’s indispensible, if limited, vocabulary – I understand that.
We went last summer to the National Theatre to see a production of “The Three Penny Opera”. They must have used the f**k word fifty times. It truly added nothing to the original words and songs; it just showed a lack of imagination. We walked out at half time and failed to stay and watch the f*****g.
Please give me a good reason why vulgarity is exchanged for perfectly adequate other forms of speech and is thought “artistic”.
I half agree with you here. On the one hand, there’s no need for vulgarities at the National Theatre, schools, or other respectable places. Dignified places ought to remain that way. I remember an excellent debate at the Oxford Union, in which the final speaker, the Mail on Sunday’s Peter Hitchens, pointed out that he was the only person to have refrained from swearing. He pointed out that such language was needless and ruined the respectability of the Union. I don’t agree with Hitchens on much, but at that moment, I fully concurred. It also goes without saying that any use of vulgarities when intentionally being mean is wrong.
On the other hand, we shouldn’t banish the rude and vulgar out of public life altogether. Between close friends, obscenities are often viewed as a source of amusement. Now I’m not suggesting we encourage such humour amongst children, or introduce it into mainstream life. But there’s a time and a place for it for those who want it, and people who enjoy the odd immature giggle shouldn’t feel guilty for doing so.
I’d also add that generally speaking, there’s far too much prudishness in society. While I don’t believe in the proliferation of sexualised displays of the human form, there’s no need to go down the American route of over-censorship. Americans seem to believe that the human body is inherently sexual, and so any ‘private’ parts ought to be censored at all costs. I’m a far greater fan of the European (excluding Britain) model. Discourage vulgarities with a polite and civilised culture. But treat people as if they as mature and responsible, rather than seeking to protect and hide the true nature of the human condition. Its worth noting that Europe is generally a far less vulgar place than America, because of the openness and social liberalism of society.