Comments | lotusflower85: Where the bloody hell are you?

lotusflower85

Where the bloody hell are you?

Mar 27, 2006 09:42

What the bloody hell is wrong with saying bloody hell?

I mean, Ron says it in "Harry Potter" all the time and that's mainly for children. It's seems to be the old double-standard that if it's the written word, i.e "literature", then swearing and sex scenes are okay but as soon as people have to see or hear those things, suddenly it's offensive. ( Read more... )

randomness, whinging

Comments 10

angel_gidget March 27 2006, 04:16:19 UTC

When people read they tend to read silently to themselves. The only reaction they have to deal with to the text is their own whether it be excitement, disgust, boredom, whatever. The moment you move controversial material to the big screen, it gets awkward because you have to deal with the reaction of those around you. Some don't care, some are okay, but some are just plain uncomfortable. Censorship is meant to spare people that discomfort. The rating system gives people an idea of what they will be in for, and lets them judge for themselves whether they would feel comfortable either watching or letting their kids watch said material. When foul language/sensuality/violence etc is found it a movie that is supposedly for kids, parents start feeling antsy, so they complain.

...It just occured to me that maybe you just wanted to vent and didn't actually want an explaination. If so, sorry. It's kinda late and I'm not thinking 100%.

As for the commonwealth games...I'm afraid I don't even know what those are. Is it part of the

lotusflower85 March 27 2006, 11:03:26 UTC

It was somewhat of a rhetorical question, but I appreciate your comments and completely see your point. The pressure of watching something with another person can make the situation seem offensive or at least heighten the emotions it invokes. The visualisation of language/violence/sex whatever is probably going to be more intense from what they would imagine in their own minds. That is a great explanation, and one I hadn't thought of ( ... )

angel_gidget March 27 2006, 17:32:35 UTC

Um. Sorry. That was me. I forgot to log in.

lotusflower85 March 29 2006, 23:53:14 UTC

hehe. That's true - technically "bloody hell" is a swear word here, just a very mild one - probably only as bad than 'damn' or 'crap', both of which you can say on tv before primetime.

"Bugger" is similar really - an expletive to express your displeasure at something. It's not used in the dictionary definition sense which...i'd rather not mention.

threnody March 27 2006, 06:25:20 UTC

Technically I don't think Ron ever says that in the books, or rarely if he does. More of a movie thing. But I know what you mean. I'm suprised Canada's whining about it, they play stuff all the time that'd never get even close to airing in the States. At least on CBC anyway (on one memorable occaision, full frontal male nudity O.o).

I have noticed that Australia's taken pretty much everything. Kind of pointless, really.

lotusflower85 March 27 2006, 11:13:04 UTC

Really? I must be thinking of Movie!Ron then.

The US I can understand - I love you all but you do kind of come across as puritanical about these things. I was really suprised at Canada as well - they seem to have the easy-going open-minded tag, but I suppose it depends on who has the final say on censorship. The Brits really shocked me - I mean, they invented the phrase!

Guess I should stop relying on stereotypes, eh? I really do know better.

And that is a perfect word to sum up the Games for this year - "pointless". It kind of just ruins the whole idea of competition if there are constantly two or three people from one country up there on the medal platforms. If I hear the phrase "girt by sea" one more time...

ginchy March 28 2006, 02:38:31 UTC

Wow, I haven't seen anything about these commercials! 'Bloody' always surprises me. My ex-supervisor was from Britian and she was amazed at how "...you Americans throw that vile word around." LOL, but to us...bloody is just....bloody. A bloody knee. I don't see anything wrong with the commercial--the word doesn't mean anything bad to us...

Right? Weird, girl, weird.

lotusflower85 March 29 2006, 23:55:43 UTC

It is weird. That whole cultural difference thing again. Like bogan ;)

"Vile word?" Hmmm, that is an extreme reaction - especially if you only use it in the literal sense, lol!

azulsaber March 28 2006, 21:43:57 UTC

I know what you mean rubraaura...saying "bloody" isn't a big thing over here in the U.S. We know objectively, it's a bad word in Oz and Britain etc., but I don't get offended when it's said. *shrug* The "hell" part maybe, but that's pretty mild nowadays...

So yeah...bizarre. Doesn't seem like that big of a deal to me. Though it is a strange slogan regardless.

lotusflower85 March 30 2006, 00:00:21 UTC

It's meant to represent the Australian "larrikinism" and "laid-back" attitude. The ad is supposed to say, "We've got all of these wonderful things over here, so where are you?"

I'm beginning to think the people who made it suspected there was going to be controversy and in fact hoped there would be in order to give the ad some free attention.

Blah, marketers, what can you do?