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Must We Really Allow Political Correctness to Replace Good Sense?

By
Real Estate Agent

Forgive me for what may border on a rant, but please, can we all stop being so careful?  Can we stop taking ourselves so seriously and try laughing at the nonsense instead of getting caught up in it?

In today's news it was reported that a department store in Australia has prohibited its Santas from using the phrase "Ho Ho Ho!" because it might scare little children and it could be perceived as derogatory towards women.  The store actually suggested the Santas replace "Ho Ho Ho!" with "Ha Ha Ha!" 

Can you imagine some old guy in a red suit and beard looking at a 4-year-old and saying "Ha Ha Ha!"  If I were the 4-year-old, I probably run screaming from the store.

And do we really think Santa is suggesting the 4-year-old's mom is a prostitute?  Come on.  Santa as been around chortling "Ho Ho Ho" decades longer than the phrase has been used as a crass mispronunciation of "whore." 

Must we really allow our language to succumb to the most base interpretations and bastardizations?

I firmly believe in treating all people with respect and dignity.  But can we stop the silliness?

 

Sam White
College Station, TX
Integrated Marketing - Bryan College Station,

I'm not sure there is an answer other than trying to use common sense in our lives and promote the same.

Nov 15, 2007 04:15 AM
Christi Stewart
Prudential California Realty - Laguna Niguel, CA
Prudential Calif. Realty
That is ridiculous.  I totally agree with you and by the way, Ho Ho Ho and Happy Holidays to you ! :)
Nov 15, 2007 04:15 AM
Gayle Balaban
The Best Spot Realty/Waterfront Real Estate/Ooltewah Real E - Chattanooga, TN
E. TN Waterfront Real Estate
I too am tired of having to tip toe around the obvious and I believe in using whatever language is appropriate for the situation.  I totally agree.  It's time that we grew thicker skins and used plain old common sense.
Nov 15, 2007 04:19 AM
Chris and Berna Sloan
Group 1 Real Estate - Tooele, UT
Tooele UT

Don.... Unfortunately many have made, revealing, outing, exposing, questioning, suggesting, being insulted by, being offended with (ad Nauseam) and on and on a money making endeavor of Political Correctness.  It makes me sick.

Only in a litigious society like we have become would this be possible.

Nov 15, 2007 04:19 AM
Drew Riley
Spa Realty, Inc Team Riley - Hot Springs, AR
Hey, we are reaping the results of everything that we let become acceptable in the last 10-20 years.  Hindsight is always 20/20, the key is to make sure that in the future we don't let the problem get any worse, and find ways to make getting thru the everyday parts of life don't overshadow the real problems at hand.  "Ho Ho Ho" is nowhere near as important to ban as say.....geez pick one.....I think anything is more important than that!
Nov 15, 2007 04:31 AM
John MacArthur
Century 21 Redwood - Washington, DC
Licensed Maryland/DC Realtor, Metro DC Homes
Don - Do they really believe that if a hooker walks by Santa and he says "ho,ho, ho", she will turn her head and look for two friends?
Nov 15, 2007 04:34 AM
Anonymous
Jennifer Phelan
Ironic
Nov 15, 2007 06:08 AM
#7
Judith Reppert
United Country Countryside Realty - Mount Vernon, MO

What about those old Green Giant commercials (ho ho ho...Green Giant), those were pretty offensive too, LOL.  No doubt I grew up scarred by the whole experience.  Some here are probably too young to remember those.

Nov 15, 2007 06:39 AM
Debbie Summers
Charles Rutenberg Realty - New Smyrna Beach, FL
No, No, No - PLEASE!  Poor Santa and the children who won't understand why the fat (yes I said fat) jolly man is laughing at them.
Nov 15, 2007 06:51 AM