ASDA Costume apology.

You cannot offend, only be offended springs to mind.

I don't have a mental illness personally as far as I am aware, so couldn't really comment, but this style of clothing and type of characters appear in horror films, I don't see how that can cause an offence personally. Just seems like someone is moaning for the sake of moaning, just because they do not like it.

I don't like a lot of things, but you just put up with most of it, just like everyone else.
 
elmarko said:
How insightful.
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You don't think that could be partly true? Or do you wish to have everything screened through every member of the community before something on any scale is done to ensure nobody finds something "offensive".

BRB wrapping everybody in cotton wool

- GP
 
grimm said:
It's not even offensive at all as far as I'm concerned.
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Exactly, as far as you're concerned. Offence is only translated in the way it's perceived by the individual from a personal perspective. i.e. when it touches personal feelings and emotions.

I'm not offended by the costume or it's branding but then, it doesn't affect me.
 
elmarko said:
But by that logic, a simple renamed to something a little bit more fantasy based (as opposed to "mental patient" would suit both parties (as it's being suggested).

Most of the complaints about the costumes is the description/product names.
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Oh, absolutely. The costume remains just the same regardless of title. I would still argue, however, that the name "mental patient" isn't inherently offensive or stigmatising. That's more in the context, and when the context is a Halloween B-movie, well... I can't see that as offensive in any way.

Different sensibilities, I guess.
 
Maybe I have mental health issues at the moment - can't quite decide, but I know a lot of people who do, now... they seem a bit annoyed. I'm not bothered by it. Perhaps it's a bit insensitive to some, but you can't please everyone.
 
Pestilence said:
Oh, absolutely. The costume remains just the same regardless of title. I would still argue, however, that the name "mental patient" isn't inherently offensive or stigmatising. That's more in the context, and when the context is a Halloween B-movie, well... I can't see that as offensive in any way.

Different sensibilities, I guess.
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I think it somewhat reinforces the stereotype that all mental health patients are just crazy loons who should be locked away, and I can see how someone who suffers from mental health problems might find that offensive.

"Deranged killer" or something would've been more appropriate imo.

Imagine if there was a "Gamer" costume which was just a fat suit, dirty clothes with food and stuff down them, basically all of the negative stereotypes people associate with gamers. There would be outrage on here! :p
 
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temporary suspension of common sense, normal service will resume.... at some point

The costume is clearly a reference to the 'escaped lunatic' movie character stereotype, prevalent in many many films and tv shows that depict the crazed madman who rampages his bloody way through a succession of nubile young women and naive teenage protagonists.

I don't really see much of a connection between movie fantasy that exaggerates the most shocking characteristics of imagination to thrill theater audiences and the grim reality that is mental health disorder.

The only connection I can draw (and you may not agree with me) is that those who suffer from a clinical mental health problem are quite often extremely egocentric (generally as part of their condition), so naturally they will draw conclusions that things like mental patient costumes etc are all about them in some negative way. The same thinking will apply to those closely involved with mental healthcare; a bias that is effectively unable to assimilate the larger picture. Oversensitivity to anything that is perceived to be about them is part of the problem.

Given how much of a non story this is, and the lack of actual deliberate discrimination toward people with mental health problems in this instance, I'm tempted to use the forum jargon of MTFU on this one.
 
:confused:
neil_g said:
seriously?

i know a few people with mental health issues, they wouldnt give two tosses about the names/descriptions of the outfits.

completely ridiculous.
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Step back people, there are posters here who know "a few" people with mental health issues and none of them have issues so I think its safe to say that anyone getting offended by negative stereotyping of mental illness is perfectly fine and inoffensive.

I also know a few black guys who are nicnamed Uncle Tom, and they were fine with slavery so let's bring back slavery while we are at it, its cool guys, I know a few guys.
 
guys, the offence isnt because of the costume, its just the name.

i can (for once) see why this is offensive, but only because one of my mates has posted a letter about it.

to sum it up, he is basically upset that his 16 year old daughter, who IS a mental patient and is currently being held in a secure unit under section 3 of the mental health act, shes got a lot of issues that shes currently battling.

Im sure if it was something to do with creed or colour it would be completely different, and you should be proud of both of those things, so why should being a mental patient be seen as someone who runs around with a cleaver with blood stained clothing?

THIS is why there is an issue with it. All they need to do is change the name a little bit.

I can also see though, how if it doesnt affect you at all, you wouldnt give a rats arse about it, i didnt until i read his letter admittedly.
 
Jono said:
Maybe I have mental health issues at the moment - can't quite decide, but I know a lot of people who do, now... they seem a bit annoyed. I'm not bothered by it. Perhaps it's a bit insensitive to some, but you can't please everyone.
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Can't please everyone? They could not negatively represent mental illnesses and instead of named it something inoffensive.

Or do you think that people who want to actively bash the disabled for being too sensitive would be too upset by that?
 
Does this mean zombie costumes are out in case they offend the living impaired or anyone who has just buried a loved one?

What about vampire costumes incase they cause offense to pale dark haired individuals?

Werewolves incase they offend those people with the weird genetic disorder that causes hair to grow all over their bodies?

Mad scientists incase they offend...well...scientists?

Some utterly insane posts on the BBC news website about it. One person saying 'would you dress up as a cancer victim, a rapist or a paedophile'.
Can't help but think, what exactly does a cancer victim look like? Or a rapist for that matter? I mean if we knew what they were like surely we could just arrest them all and there's no longer a problem?

Take the well renowned film 'Psycho'. Is this title now offensive? What about the fact that the film portrays someone who clearly has mental health issues? To be honest, something that applies to most mass murderers in horror films.
 
hurfdurf said:
Please work on improving yourself as a person then.
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rofl, there isnt any need to, i saw "complaints over asda halloween costume" on a news website, glanced at the picture, couldn't see any reason why anyone would complain.

checked facebook, saw a friend of mine had posted something about it and a link to a letter he had sent in to asda, realised then what they had called the costume, saw why he was upset.

i appologise for not being perfect like yourself and instantly recognising why some people might not be offended by an issue. please forgive me o masterful one.
 
zenf said:
Imagine if there was a "Gamer" costume which was just a fat suit, dirty clothes with food and stuff down them, basically all of the negative stereotypes people associate with gamers. There would be outrage on here! :p
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Or more likely we'd be intelligent enough to realise it was a light-hearted take on the stereotype ;)

Anyone sensitive enough to take offence at something which is so over the top that it's obvious it isn't serious needs to be offended more often to toughen them up and put things in perspective.
 
XeNoN89 said:
God this 'That offends me!' culture annoys me

I don't give a *** if you're offended.
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Yeaaa who cares right, I'm a big man too, let's give the disabled a kicking together, great fun, love it. Next up let's shout racist abuse at a mosque! Offended?! Who cares, maybe if they didn't like freedom of speech they shouldn't of been born disabled or should go back home to their own country!!
 
davido_labido said:
rofl, there isnt any need to, i saw "complaints over asda halloween costume" on a news website, glanced at the picture, couldn't see any reason why anyone would complain.

checked facebook, saw a friend of mine had posted something about it and a link to a letter he had sent in to asda, realised then what they had called the costume, saw why he was upset.

i appologise for not being perfect like yourself and instantly recognising why some people might not be offended by an issue. please forgive me o masterful one.
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I'm not perfect but I can register how because something doesn't attack me personally, it can still be wrong. If you cannot do that as you claimed in your post then you need to work on yourself to be a better person.

Apology accepted. Just do as I ask and improve your character, I don't really care for your waffling life story or lame excuses on why you didn't register the offence at first, it really doesn't matter. Just do better, hold yourself and others to a higher standard.
 
arknor said:
Former footballer Stan Collymore, who has had a well-documented battle with depression, also criticised Asda for using a "stereotype".
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LOL

its like someone with a bruised knee having a say on something offensive to double amputees....

psycho restrained by a straight jacket and some Hannibal style jaw device.... probably has a few more 'issues' than one of the many hundreds of thousands of people with 'depression'...
 
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