Would you complain?

[DZoolander]

So my wife and I took our kids off to the fair this weekend - and as I'm putting my daughter on this swing ride - I overhear some music blaring in the background (rap) of some guy talking about how he wants his g/f to "put her butt in the air" (if you get my drift, and a different word for butt...)

That kinda offended me...lol and I'm not easily offended.

Fair is now over, though. But would you still complain to the city organizers of the thing?

 

[moerunamida]

I take it the music was coming from a ride and not a group of people just playing a stereo. You can certainly voice your concerns with the city organizers to look out for it for next year, but you will probably have a different set of carnies for the same fair next year. Sorry you had to go through that.

 

[HerCrazierHalf]

I'm not sure "complain" is the right word. You should definitely raise your concern in hopes that the organizer next time will post signage and ask the security guards to enforce rules about loud music (of any kind to be "fair").

I suppose this aspect of parenting will be harder as time goes on as fewer and fewer well see a problem with such language. I've come to the realization that when my generation becomes seniors the oldies stations will be something else.

 

[mkgal1]

Where was the music coming from?

 

[Inkachu]

So my wife and I took our kids off to the fair this weekend - and as I'm putting my daughter on this swing ride - I overhear some music blaring in the background (rap) of some guy talking about how he wants his g/f to "put her butt in the air" (if you get my drift, and a different word for butt...)

That kinda offended me...lol and I'm not easily offended.

Fair is now over, though. But would you still complain to the city organizers of the thing?

If the music was coming from the fair itself and not like, somebody's car radio or something, then yes, you have every right speak up. I wouldn't complain to the city organizers, but to whoever was running the fair or in charge of the music.

 

[DZoolander]

Yeah - from one of the rides. I wouldn't be upset if it was some kid in his car...lol

 

[Sheagle]

I reckon say something. If we don't speak up about this stuff, few others will, and it'll just keep happening.

 

[Odetta]

You could bring up your concerns to the people who contract with the carnival organization to put on the fair. But honestly, I don't think it would do much good. Even if they expressly stipulated in next year's contract that carnies can only play family appropriate music, I doubt they would be on hand to police it.

 

[ValleyGal]

I might complain, but because I am a parent who seizes opportunities to teach my child (now an adult), I would likely not complain, and rather use the chance to teach about music and how to choose music that is edifying and uplifting rather than objectifying women (or men). As much as we want to protect our children from these kinds of terrible and immoral things, it is not in their best interest to shield them from the evils of the world. Rather, we need to teach them how to cope with evils and honour God in the midst of an evil world.

 

[moerunamida]

Valleygal said it beautifully!

 

[DZoolander]

I tend to agree with ValleyGal. To be honest - I don't think my 4 year old even connected any of the dots/heard what was being said, etc. It was more of a surprise/shock/annoyance to me than anything else (kind of a "You're playing THIS song? Really?") - and I didn't make any kind of deal about it around her (did mention it to my wife later).

The fair was being put on by the rotary club in our area - so I found their facebook page and put my $0.02 in there. I've always found that complaining about something on FB tends to get me quicker results than any other means (for other companies at least...lol)

 

[BigDaddy4]

I would agree with VG, too. I've gone to fairs and other events where the music has been so loud that I can't distinguish the words. Then I might hear one phrase or line and go "Say what??" And then wonder why they would play that kind of music at this particular place with young'ens around. To their credit, my kids have picked up on some of those inappropriate lyrics and made comments that they were inappropriate too.

Perhaps these situations are more about creating the upbeat vibe and "party, c'mon everybody have a good time" type atmosphere. People tend to spend more money at these places if there is an upbeat atmosphere. However, if the music is too loud, I tend to leave the area. Maybe I'm too old??

As the saying goes "If it's too loud, you're too old!"

 

[DZoolander]

I know what you mean.

What's also scary is I've started feeling this desire to yell out "Get off my lawn"

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

Thats what a shotgun is for. Just kidding.

I would be split on it. Although I lean towards what VG said. Its not like we can control the world around us all the time. Years ago when our city was having fireworks there was a car parked at a guys house across from the city hall. His stereo was blaring on purpose. All you heard the lyrics "f-word, f-word, f-word, f-word in heaven!!!". The same lyrics kept going on over and over. Some sort of rap stuff.

What made it annoying (well more so) was his driveway was right across from the city hall/parks driveway so hundreds of families had to walk by his driveway and hear it. I have no kids so I didn't say anything, though I have a annoyed look. Also our city is primary catholic so I was more surprised no one else said anything. Thought alot of the families here listen to terrible music too so...

Anyways if I had a child I would explain to them like VG did.

 

[DZoolander]

I know what you mean.

To be honest, though, some kid sitting off trying to be cool playing raunchy music wouldn't really bug me all that much. I think I'm pretty "circumstantially forgiving" about things. Heck - I remember as teenager the stupid stuff I did to try and "be cool" or "be rebellious".. I remember going to Palm Springs for Spring Break one year - and buying this shirt that said "Spring f****** Break, Palm Springs 1987". Plain white t-shirt - big black letters.

My parents HATED that shirt - and that was one reason for me to love it even more. I remember they tried to forbid me from wearing it. I remember going back to HS and wearing it/having the dean call my folks about it. I thought that was "rad".

I also don't really suffer from the "society is going to heck in a handbasket" stuff where I think things are becoming more decadent over time. My generation had "2 live crew" - and I can tell you in the 30 years since - I have *never* heard anything anywhere remotely near as raunchy as they were...lol My buddies and I used to play that stuff incessantly.

So kids today playing stupid stuff - ehhh - I'll give 'em a pass and explain it to my daughter as has been said.

What gets me though is that this was played on the loudspeakers at the event...which to me means it's sanctioned by the event/adults. I expect more out of adults. lol

 

[BigDaddy4]

Dude, you said "rad"... [insert Beavis and Butthead laughter] ... you're old!

 

[mkgal1]

I know what you mean.

What's also scary is I've started feeling this desire to yell out "Get off my lawn"

Hahaha.......I had a scary moment like that the other day as well (and that was what came to my mind, too "Oh no, am I becoming *that* neighbor").

You *could* always inform them of the setting for music channels like Spotify and Pandora that allows you to choose "clean lyrics" and the words are either changed or bleeped out. You know, kind of like a "hey....did you know about this option" kind of thing (in a "just trying to be helpful" kind of way).

 

[DZoolander]

I've got a feeling I talk to carnies about spotify - their heads will explode.

I mean - these are people who had the freakshow stuff (fish lady, two headed goat, two headed pig, etc...) and the loudspeaker was saying "They're alive...come on in...by the smell you'll know they're alive!"

lol

 

[mkgal1]

Really? That seriously still happens? I had no idea.

 

[DZoolander]

apparently out here it does...lol Some of our friends went the day before we went and paid to see that part. They called the humane society after.