Introducing ruffled feathers
February 13th 2007 02:59
Hi Everyone.
Now, Ive got so many topics for ruffled feathers, I upset so many people with my views in politics, smoking, spirituality, and religion, its just not funny. Not to mention my ideas on the fulfillment of people. So Im just not sure where to start, whose feathers to ruffle first.
Ok, Im going to have a rant about kids in pubs. I have a MASSIVE problem with the Auzzie standpoint at the moment. When I was little, it was like America in our pubs - No kids, no way, no how. Slowly, kids have been introduced, and now, oh, horror of horrors, we are actually ENCOURAGING people to take their kids to the pub!
EXCUSE ME? Dont we already have enough two year olds dying in cars, being lost in casinos and downing alcohol? Do the pubs really have to introduce 'kids rooms' 'games rooms' and CHILD CARE for the sake of heaven!
What really gets me going OOO really gets to me, is that this is all a bid to get those parents to STAY longer, DRINK more and GAMBLE more. Is this a good thing for children to be around? Never mind mum and dad getting home utterly blind to relieve the stoned babysitter, too far gone to cook dinner and with no money to order the ADD obese children a pizza because theyve lost it all on the pokies, do the kids really have to be running around the pub watching mum and dad gamble away their uni money, staring bleary eyed at the pokie screen with beer in hand and sitting in a cloud of smoke?
When I was a kid, and even a bit after, the pub was a place to go to LET GO, to do whatever and not worry about all that shit. You have a drink, a smoke, spend a few bucks then off home to be a good little role model. I was astounded to hear a friend say, when I remarked on kids being encouraged to pubs "oh, but its a family thing now, people want to bring their kids"
Once again, I say, EXCUSE ME?? We want to raise an entire generation of people that live in the pub then do we? An entire generation that think its just fine to plonk little bubby on this sticky floor covered with blood and vomit and used chewing gum, give him a pat on the nappy and say "now you behave now" while mum goes and feeds half of dads paycheck into the pokies, crowing like a houso and sculling shandys to the delight of all her friends, and dad gets into a bourbon drinking competition with the boys, usually ending in a massive brawl, and while dads being put in the paddy wagon swearing "its a frame up man, I never touched him" and mums sobbing into her shandy, little bubs still wandering the lovely pub floor, and when it finally penetrates mums shattered brain somethings missing, she screams kidnapping and even if bubs found relatively quickly we still have to read about it in the next days paper.
Perhaps, one small consolation - Every mistake my parents have ever made I move violently in the opposite direction. Perhaps all these bubs in pubs will swing the trend the other way in the next generation, we can only hope!
Now, Ive got so many topics for ruffled feathers, I upset so many people with my views in politics, smoking, spirituality, and religion, its just not funny. Not to mention my ideas on the fulfillment of people. So Im just not sure where to start, whose feathers to ruffle first.
Ok, Im going to have a rant about kids in pubs. I have a MASSIVE problem with the Auzzie standpoint at the moment. When I was little, it was like America in our pubs - No kids, no way, no how. Slowly, kids have been introduced, and now, oh, horror of horrors, we are actually ENCOURAGING people to take their kids to the pub!
EXCUSE ME? Dont we already have enough two year olds dying in cars, being lost in casinos and downing alcohol? Do the pubs really have to introduce 'kids rooms' 'games rooms' and CHILD CARE for the sake of heaven!
What really gets me going OOO really gets to me, is that this is all a bid to get those parents to STAY longer, DRINK more and GAMBLE more. Is this a good thing for children to be around? Never mind mum and dad getting home utterly blind to relieve the stoned babysitter, too far gone to cook dinner and with no money to order the ADD obese children a pizza because theyve lost it all on the pokies, do the kids really have to be running around the pub watching mum and dad gamble away their uni money, staring bleary eyed at the pokie screen with beer in hand and sitting in a cloud of smoke?
When I was a kid, and even a bit after, the pub was a place to go to LET GO, to do whatever and not worry about all that shit. You have a drink, a smoke, spend a few bucks then off home to be a good little role model. I was astounded to hear a friend say, when I remarked on kids being encouraged to pubs "oh, but its a family thing now, people want to bring their kids"
Once again, I say, EXCUSE ME?? We want to raise an entire generation of people that live in the pub then do we? An entire generation that think its just fine to plonk little bubby on this sticky floor covered with blood and vomit and used chewing gum, give him a pat on the nappy and say "now you behave now" while mum goes and feeds half of dads paycheck into the pokies, crowing like a houso and sculling shandys to the delight of all her friends, and dad gets into a bourbon drinking competition with the boys, usually ending in a massive brawl, and while dads being put in the paddy wagon swearing "its a frame up man, I never touched him" and mums sobbing into her shandy, little bubs still wandering the lovely pub floor, and when it finally penetrates mums shattered brain somethings missing, she screams kidnapping and even if bubs found relatively quickly we still have to read about it in the next days paper.
Perhaps, one small consolation - Every mistake my parents have ever made I move violently in the opposite direction. Perhaps all these bubs in pubs will swing the trend the other way in the next generation, we can only hope!
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Comment by Wendi
Before long, all of the casinos were adding movie theaters and family dining, ice skating rinks, bowling alleys, arcades - and some of the infamous "Vegas Shows" opened up to the whole family.
Then came the toddler camps. Drop your kids off with us and we'll watch over them while you folks go be grown ups and drink as much free alcohol as you'd like as long as you're gambling.
Ugh!
Now-a-days, it's practically odd to walk into a casino and NOT see people pushing baby strollers or kids running down the tacky-carpeted isles.
Of course, there are still laws. No one under the age of 21 is allowed within a certain number of feet of the bars or video machines, but that certainly doesn't prevent the nine-year-old boys from jaw-dropping at the scantilly clad cocktail waitresses in their g-strings.
I won't judge the parents. It's really not my place and I'm sure I've done things in my lifetime that could be considered "questionable". But personally, I don't see a need for kids in casinos or babies in bars. It just doesn't make sense (if you're not looking through the profit-generating perspective).
You KNOW there are amateur poker games taking place in the high schools. It's not rumor... it happens.
These are just a few of the reasons I left Vegas in the first place. Gambling isn't legal where I live, and my small town is a dry town - no bars.
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
I hate gambling with a vegeance(maybe cos I never win) but I dont think I could live in a dry town! I believe everyone should do what they like, even down to drinking and gambling whatever - but dont let it rule you. Use these things for what theyre for, little fun, little release, then back to reality. I cannot abide the machine of consumerisim going this far, to encourage the PUB as a family place! Its just going to breed trouble...
Comment by Wendi
My mom picked up a bottle of White Zinfandel for Christmas - that was a nice treat. Occasionally, if my hubby is driving and we go out, I'll indulge in a cocktail or two, but my heavier drinking days are behind me now, thank Heavens! *LOL*
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Comment by Brenton
Dr Spin
Tales From The Other Side
Blip Blog
Gadget Museum
Have some feathered ruffles to cheer up
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
I meant to make this a regular thing but got caught up in other stuff. Thanks for the comment!