Costly conversation
I like to keep an eye on the goings on in the UK.
There seems to be a trend that where they go, we occasionally like to follow, so itâs nice to know what is potentially coming down the line, as it were.
A little snippet of news filtered through the other day. I canât remember how I found it, so I canât do any hat tipping, but thanks, whoever you are.
Starting from today, police in Barnsley have the power to fine people on the spot for swearing.
I had to read that a couple of times to make sure it wasnât a joke, but it isnât. Apparently if you swear, you automatically become a criminal. One âfuckâ and you immediately become a racist scum with pockets full of flick-knives and graffiti spray cans. One âbollixâ and you become a hoodie, terrorising old dears.
This is potentially one that could cross the Irish Sea, as the Gardai here would make a fucking fortune. At the census before last, there were two remaining people who had never uttered a profanity in their lives and they were in their eighties, so they are probably dead by now.
What interests me about this new scheme though is that âmembers of the public have also been asked to report offensive and intimidating language, including swearing.â Itâs bad enough that they have âhot-linesâ for people to report smoking or driving, but this one opens a brand new can of worms. If I want someone fined, all I have to do is walk up to them and tell them that I am reporting them for swearing. I can guarantee that they will tell me to fuck off. Gotcha!
Iâll tell you one thing though. If they ever try to bring the likes of that into force here, they can think again.
Fucking wankers.
The Television shoulkd keep at least 100 bobbies permanently occupied or will “television swearing” be exempt  – because you can turn it off?
Nothing really new here. There has to be a specific law on the statute to be broken. I suspect it’s the old “behaviour likely to cause a breach of the peace.” Which has been around, and enforced,for eons. In Ireland also.
….awww FLUFFERNUTS!
Patrick – Personally, I find television as a whole quite offensive. If I start charging it £80 a time, I’d make a fortune!
TT – I presume you’e right, but what would concern me is what exactly constitutes swearing? Cat illustrates it nicely, as for all I know that could be the Canadian equivalent of calling me a fucking cunt. Or it could be a compliment……… ?
“One âfuckâ and you immediately become a racist scum….”
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I feel sorry for the dyslexic trying to pronounce that clothing brand.
“If they ever try to bring the likes of that into force here, they can think again. ”
Er… Isn’t that what people said about the smoking ban?
Well it isn’t the word it’s how it’s used. eg “Fer fucks sake come here ye auld cunt and let me buy you a pint;” as opposed to “Fuck off ya cunt afore I slash yer fuckin’ throat with the broken end of Grandad’s pipe.” See; likely to lead to a breach of the piece.
In Germany it is a punishable offence to swear or make rude gestures at other road users who fuck you up.
Eh Hello, you just cut in front of me, nasty person, and nearly broke my car. I became very frightened and I was upset and worried about the danger you put us both in. I feel sick now and might not be able to go to work tomorrow. I might even be suffering post traumatic stress.
Would you bother…..Fuck you, cunt. Get yer pile of shite outtada way. followed by the Bird. Satisfation.
Silly Germans….
Pity the poor bloke who suffers from Tourette’s Syndrome.
Fuck that shit.
Bloody Hell !  What will they think of next ?
OK. I’m going to go through all the comments here. I shall be invoicing you all at the rate of £80 per word. Heh!
I must remember to never darken fucking Barnsley’s doorstep with my Tourettes an all…. 🙂
Oi! you started the smoking ban before us. We followed you. Thanks a lot, tossers.
Correction, Frank J – I didn’t start it. We didn’t start it. A fucking arsehole of a Health Minister started it without any consultation whatsoever. if you want to blame anyone, blame Micheal Martin, who is the current leader of the opposition, and a right cunt.
Take your point, GD, but, like yourself, I’m speaking generally and remember we aint so keen on being fined for ‘swearing’ in UK, either. But in our area the ban was implemented firstly in the Emerald Isle and rapidly converted Scotland, apparently in an afternoon’s visit. The ban in Ireland and Scotland was then oft quoted in the Westminster debate as being ‘successful’. Was it? is it? or we both just prepared to roll over and have our tummies tickled?
It’s now reaching the stage of some serious revolt? It’d soon catch on. All that’s needed is somebody to start it.