This is an interesting thread. The proliferation and general acceptance of mid to high level swearing in society is, in my opinion, a sad reality. It also correlates with a general decline in respect for other individuals and their property.
There’s a narrow focus to this debate and a wider one. The initial complaint was related to the specific case of sitting in an area with a dedicated group of passionate Manly fans and being shocked at the behaviour. That was an unexpected result for that person and they will make different choices in future. For those that go to the footy a lot it would not be that unexpected. I can appreciate both sides of the argument here and it comes down to choices. I have travelled with the MWTS group and understand that there’s nothing extreme about the groups behaviour (although your drum in my ear can sometimes stretch the friendship
🙂
The wider debate is about swearing, drinking, carrying on and what parts of the ground people should and shouldn’t sit in. Since when did yobbos take sole ownership of the main part of the football ground? Family hills / no alcohol areas were brought in to provide an option for people but that shouldn’t make it a free for all elsewhere. Alcohol is optional in the rest of the ground, it’s not mandatory. The great majority of people sitting in the outer at the footy watch the game, barrack for their team, drop the odd swear word at a bad decision. The behaviour doesn’t result in others feeling uncomfortable.Â
Maybe there should be a fenced area somewhere on the hill where all the people who want to drink heaps and hurl non stop abuse and high level swearing around can stand together. Unfortunately self regulation wouldn’t work too well.
Yes, they are just words and they are used to different levels throughout society but no one (kids or adults) should have to put up with repeated full on abusive language at a sporting event. If you’re in an all seated stadium it’s the boof head who should have to move, not you.
Jono link said:
[quote author=Bradza link=topic=184953.msg289412#msg289412 date=1283311773]
[quote author=Duff link=topic=184953.msg289396#msg289396 date=1283308665]
Contrary to popular belief, the football is not a freindly family fun activity. It's blokes watching blokes tear each other apart. It's grog & gambling.
What a load of tripe. You really do live on your own little planet don't you Duff!?
[/quote]
Then what is it Bradza? All I see on that field is a bunch of blokes tearing each other apart for the fun of it. Duff is correct. Why should any of us have to change the way we behave because you have kids and decide to bring them into the ALCOHOL AREA? Its just the same as us telling you that you can't bring them into the alcohol area. We should be allowed to say what we want and you should be able to take your kids wherever you want.
[/quote]
Jono, I have quoted the part of Duff’s comment that I think is tripe. Footy might have a huge emphasis on physical toughness but it also has a heap of skill and most importantly, it’s played within a set of rules. I don’t know what the percentage is but there’s plenty of females at the game as well not just “blokes watching blokesâ€Â. There’s also plenty of people NOT drinking alcohol or gambling. From reading Duff’s comments on this site he does see the world in a very black and white manner. There’s nothing wrong with that but I think it puts him on his own little planet.
I agree with his arguments that alcohol is used as an excuse for behaviour when it is actually lack of self control that is the problem.
By the way, I don’t have kids although my wife and I often sit at Brookie on the benches with my nieces and nephew. With isolated abusive swearing heard at the footy you just shake your head and ignore it but if someone is continually using foul or abusive language (at the footy or anywhere for that matter) I think you’re quite within your rights to ask them to tone it down. If they want to exercise their right to ignore the request then that just confirms what an a-hole they are.
😉 😉