In the Seattle neighborhood of Wallingford, Lori and Ryan Pacchiano run a high-end pet products business, catering to rich people who want to put their dog in goofy outfits.
I'm all for dumb people being separated from their money, but I draw the line at pet costumes. But that's not why I'm writing. I'm writing because the name of the store has caused a great deal of controversy: High Maintenance Bitch.
As you can imagine, all sorts of people are getting completely bent out of shape over this. They're complaining about how they walk down that street every day and have to look at that, or having to explain the meaning of that sign to their children. Before you know it, those people are going to ring up the ACLU and campaign to get the sign taken down.
If we live our lives based on not offending the most fragile, easily offended and sensitive out of our population, we'd be living a reenactment of Harrison Bergeron. That's exactly what's happening. Everyone has to walk on eggshells lest something they say is taken out of context or misunderstood (When is the last time you ever said "What a gyp!" and meant to slander a gypsy? That's what I thought.) Political correctness has run amok, and I've had enough. Until we stop kowtowing to those who are choosing to be offended by every little thing, we're going to spend all of our time focusing on this sort of issue, rather than things that are actually important. I want to say that again, beccause it's worth reiterating: we are giving publicity to people who are choosing to be offended by things that are not offensive.
This whole thing wouldn't be an issue if people didn't decide to corrupt the word for a female dog to mean a contemptible woman. Personally, I think it's a great pun, and wish the business good luck. Though I think they'd have more success if they were to open up a side business dealing with garden equipment. Then it could be called "Bitches and Hoes".
Why yes, I'd like an aisle seat and the chicken dinner on my Express Trip to Hell.
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4 comments:
I agree it's a good pun, but I think it's juvenile and in bad taste.
This isn't some slip of the tounge or minor faux pas that's being blown out of proportion. They knew full well then they named that store the name would be objectionable to many people, and I just think the motivation is to slip a naughty word onto a store sign and say, "Hey, it means female dogs, look it up!" Giggle, giggle.
It's not even an innocent gag, either, it's pretty much a slap in the face to women. If they wanted to be grade-school clever, they could have just done a pun on "Shih Tzu" or something.
Anyway, I don't like it...business names like that belong in Mad Magazine, not in the real world. But, hey, they can call the store whatever they want. I never understood just why people draw attention to these places, all it does is generate publicity and help them stay in business. If people just looked at the sign, shook their head disgusted, and walked away, the place would be anonymous still.
Anyone planning on opening a smoke shop called Smoking Faggots?
It's not even an innocent gag, either, it's pretty much a slap in the face to women.
Is it? My whole point was that the Word In Question had been corrupted to mean something else. The sign is completely accurate and correct in what the business provides: it's other people who are taking it out of context, as you've done right now.
Anyway, I don't like it...business names like that belong in Mad Magazine, not in the real world. But, hey, they can call the store whatever they want.
You don't get to hold contrary positions like that. You have to pick one. Either they can, or they can't.
Like I said, people have the choice to be offended by something like this. It's clear that people want to be offended, rather than smiling at the joke and moving on with their life. It sounds like you're choosing to be offended.
Is it? My whole point was that the Word In Question had been corrupted to mean something else.
Doesn't matter. Language changes, and the word means what it means. Vulgarity is vulgarity, and pretending otherwise is kind of like Bart Simpson singing "bastard" in the car. You can claim all you want the word has a non-vulgar meaning, but don't tell me people are taking it out of context. It's absolutely clear the pun they were going for.
You don't get to hold contrary positions like that. You have to pick one. Either they can, or they can't.
"I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
I'm not contradicting myself. Sure, they can name it that. I just don't think they should. I think it's childish, stupid, and offensive (though I'm not offended in the least), but the government allows businesses the right to shoot themselves in the foot with a dumb name, so I'm OK with it. When I start a business, I'm not going to alienate potential customers with the name just so I can feel clever.
I also disagree that people "choose" to be offended. They are, or they aren't. They can choose to make a big deal out of it, but I think for the most part, people like that have too much free time.
In any event, if people really didn't like this store, making it a media issue is not the way to do it. There's no such thing as bad publicity, and it will draw attention to this place...and customers, which means they stay in business, which is the LAST thing you want. The best thing to do hre would have been to ignore it. Let's face it, in 6 months, that place would have been a dollar store.
I just had another thought...you think it's a great name, but you have no intention on ever shopping at this store.
So, who's the key demographic they're going for here?
I'd say women who can be described as "high maintenance bitches". Those most likely to be offended by the name.
I'll give you one thing, though: If they can get away with subtly insulting their customers like that, more power to them.
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