OK, I’ve recently started playing my armies again and the staff of the GW store I go to (Franklin Mills, Philadelphia, PA) have started telling players to watch their language, keep it clean.
Well with the younger kids in the store playing LOTR and 40k I can see not using George Carlin’s 7 words you can’t say on TV.
Last time I was playing they came up to me about the language I was using. Now I did not use any of the normal foul words or even some of the combinations that I could see being a problem.
What I was told was I couldn’t say “I’m going to blow you to Hell.” He wanted me to use the word HECK.
I did some thinking and some of these things I said and others I thought of later.
I’m thinking, Heck, Blow you to Heck? where is heck and it doesn’t really sound like a place you are going to blow your enemy to.
I asked what was wrong with Hell?
I explained, One of Dallas Cowboy’s greatest quarterbacks, Roger Staubach was announcing a football game and described a player running like a Bat out of Heck. It didn’t sound right because whowould really run fast away from heck.
Then I started with the fact they sell War Machines called The HelBlaster (pronounces Hell blaster) Helstorm (pronounced Hell Storm) and Hell Cannon. I should have asked were they renaiming them to Heckblaster, Heckstorm and Heck Cannon.
I did tell him I would try and use Heck so he wouldn’t kick me out of the store.
Now I have to ask, has anyone else experienced these silly rules. We are playing a WAR GAME and everyone knows war is hell.
It seems that they are trying too hard no to offend, but people that would be offended are the ones who wouldn’t be playing war games because of religious/personal beliefs.
I’m thinking we are dumbing down the people of the country so far that all inspiration and creation will be forever harmed.
It might not make sense, it might be hypocritical of them, but unfortunately, it is their place of business, so they have a right to regulate it as they see fit. I think the examples you give are taking the idea of polictical correctness too far, IMO, but… what can you do?
My club enforces a strict no cursing policy. Even for “mild” curses.
Zero tolerance basically.
Because we had and have a lot of teenagers some who cursed literally every second word. For real. My friend and club chief calls it “using curses as punctuation” his main argument is you should have really good reason to curse, that’s what the words are there for! And most of the times people curse for lack of something intelligent to say.
It is surprising how numb one can become to it, took me awhile when I started playing to get rid of the habit to curse but I frankly feel I’m better for it. It’s fairly embarrassing to curse in the middle of an presentation and not realise it.
We have a lot of young gamers attending so it makes sense to have rules, and now that I’m hearing curses again it is incredible how much some people swear. And even without noticing that they are doing it, which is pretty sad really.
That being said, had you been playing at my club you’d most likely have gotten a yellow card for saying “I’m going to blow you to hell” to your opponent. Not so much the hell but the whole thing. Had you said “I’m going to blow you to heck” we’d probably have said, “down here we don’t blow anyone to heck, mister, it just isn’t very nice”.
as gamers are getting younger, parent are more and more start neglecting their children, and the educational system says it’s not their duty do learn basic stuff and manners,… I guess it’s up to the store manager now
soon my kid (about 8 months now) will be starting to learn to play in a gw store as well, spending more time there than anywhere else (cous’ i’m just that responsible) and i would verry much apreciate it if she would learn propperbasic social behaviour there while i play warhammer ( and not the clubbing with sticks and swearing as live roleplayers and neanderthalers do)
Language considered vulgar changes depending on where in the world you are. “Blcks” is considered uncouth here, but it’s not really known in the US I believe. In the US “A$$” could be considered bad, but here, it’s just a donkey, and folks would have a problem with “Ar$e”. “Hell” will be no problem here, and apparently “cr@p” is fine in the US.
The seven words, derogatory/slur/discriminatory language, fine. Those should be banned, no rational person would argue over much on that.
When I was working for them, excessive use of minor bad language would result in a stern word, as would a one-off use of anything more serious without mitigating circumstance*. Excessive vulgarity or ignoring their stern word would lead to a one day ban. Repeat performances would lead to longer bans.
I suggest a quiet discussion with the store manager may be in order. You don’t want to upset the staff, but you feel this is wrong and wish to bring it to their attention. Make it clear that you understand and support the existence of the policy, you’re just confused by this particular implementation which seems inappropriate. It’s likely a training matter.
*I myself once got away with the F-word in front of a number of younger teenagers and their mothers. That said, I had just had a strip/florescent light tube fall & smash over my head, slicing my ear open and showering me with phosphor dust & broken glass. The mothers took to mothering me, rather than being upset that I’d sworn.
Replacing “hell” with “heck” is not really changing anything.
1. English has many words with the same meaning, and many words which are pronounced the same have a different meaning. so replacing “hell” with “heck” the whole sentence is going to have the same meaning, you are just decreasing one’s vocabulary.
2. Children are going to hear the word “hell” in life, better they get used to it than offended by it.
I would understand rules against excessive swearing, which a lot of us have experienced, where a person with a low vocab will add in swear words to bulk up their sentences. Plus they think it makes them sound cool.
In games marketed to children more vulgar things that “I’m going to blow you to hell” are said. I played Duke Nukem as a kid, where the character would say stuff like “I’m going to rip off your head and $#!+ down your neck”. I have also played a PG rated game where a character said “I am going to rape your corpse” which if a sheltered kid would hear would ask their parents what that means. The poor parents would then have to, first explain rape, and probably the reasons behind it, then explain necrophilia.
PS. “Crap” should not be classed as a swear word, considering there’s another swear which shares it’s meaning, and there is already a “C-word”.
What I was told was I couldn't say "I'm going to blow you to Hell." He wanted me to use the word HECK.
I'm thinking, Heck, Blow you to Heck? where is heck and it doesn't really sound like a place you are going to blow your enemy to.
I asked what was wrong with Hell?
I explained, One of Dallas Cowboy's greatest quarterbacks, Roger Staubach was announcing a football game and described a player running like a Bat out of Heck. It didn't sound right because whowould really run fast away from heck.
BilboBaggins
Look Bilbo, If Leonitas can say it then YOU CAN TOO!
Here’s a good rule of thumb. If you are asked to not do something, the proper response is “OK.” If you don’t agree with that rule or think it too harsh, take your business elsewhere. If there is no elsewhere, then you must decide, “Can I follow the rules, or am I gonna be a tool and do what I think is right, even though there is a rule set up?”
It’s no different than the new chap who plays daemons and even though the rules for his army state one thing, he has his own rules for the army. sometimes, the rules of an establishment might seem strict (As a former GW staff member, we enforce those rules so that if any mom or dad comes in, the won’t be offended.) As far as replacing the word Hell with Heck, I’d tell someone using the word Hell, to just no use it… so when you say I’m gonna blow you to hell, I’d suggest you rephrase it to I’m gonna blow you away, or I’m gonna decimate you to the point of oblivion. You see, there are plenty of ways to use language to get your point across without using curses, swears or any other innapropriate language.
Let me ask this, what are the language rules at your school? Can you tell your teacher to go to Hell? How about to shut their damn mouth? If you can, then I feel sad for your situation, as you are not learning any respect at all.
Here's a good rule of thumb. If you are asked to not do something, the proper response is "OK." If you don't agree with that rule or think it too harsh, take your business elsewhere. If there is no elsewhere, then you must decide, "Can I follow the rules, or am I gonna be a tool and do what I think is right, even though there is a rule set up?"
It's no different than the new chap who plays daemons and even though the rules for his army state one thing, he has his own rules for the army. sometimes, the rules of an establishment might seem strict (As a former GW staff member, we enforce those rules so that if any mom or dad comes in, the won't be offended.) As far as replacing the word Hell with Heck, I'd tell someone using the word Hell, to just no use it.. so when you say I'm gonna blow you to hell, I'd suggest you rephrase it to I'm gonna blow you away, or I'm gonna decimate you to the point of oblivion. You see, there are plenty of ways to use language to get your point across without using curses, swears or any other innapropriate language.
Let me ask this, what are the language rules at your school? Can you tell your teacher to go to Hell? How about to shut their damn mouth? If you can, then I feel sad for your situation, as you are not learning any respect at all.
two_heads_talking
1. The store was quiet at the time and I was JOKING with him with my reply. I was laughing about it and I did tell him I would try to use Heck instead of Hell. If there was a crowd in the store I probably would have said OK then talked to him later when alone. As it was only me and the two guys I was playing against (and one of them was an Empire player with a helblaster on the board) heard me when I discussed the possible idiocy of the situation.
2. When I was in school (graduated 1981) the language was less colorful, but I know a few people who did tell a tell teachers to go to hell, and got sent to the office for it. I never had a reason to tell a teacher I would blast them to hell. It probably would have had the cops dragging me away.
3. At least I didn't throw the curse I used on one of my co-workers when he annoyed me. I would tell he he was a moronic low-life scum-sucking leach with the brains of a dead amoeba and a microscopic (correct term for male sexual organ). Try saying it fast it's funny, got him laughing.
I graduated in 1985, so it appears we are in a similar age range. And yes, language was quite definately "less colorful"
I try to keep in mind, whenever I go someplace new, that what I consider “ok” language might not be considered that by other folks. In fact, I try to keep the language about as mellow as I can. While In the Army, my associates would laugh or chuckles as I could come up with new ways to “flower” up language without dropping f-bombs or other “severe” curse words. In fact my use of Hades rather than hell was always a good laugh, especially when a soldier from Haiti mistook it for me cursing his homeland… lol
I know it’s old school, but I always use the Golden rule when about. Speak to others as you would have them speak to you, Do to others as you would have them do to you, and leave the forest cleaner than you found it. OH and don’t piss into the wind.
I guess I can sorta understand it. When I was young, I wasn’t allowed to swear, and often said “H - E - double hockey sticks” instead. I knew the words but wasn’t allowed to say them. man, I think it was grade 6 when I finally called my mom out for saying ‘cr@p’ and said “if you can say it, I can too!” and she agreed.
Parents of younger children were probably worried that an adult saying these words while engaging in their child’s hobby would make it seem ok, and if it’s not, it’s not. And it’s the parents’ choice how to raise the child (most unfortunately in many cases, but that’s a different can of worms).
essentially, if you have an environment where children can be, such as a local gaming club, I respect the decision to enforce a no swearing policy. Plus, I love using euphemisms sometimes! they’re way more fun! next time you’re playing with someone young, say “I’m going to blow you to smithereens!” or something. It keeps it light hearted. It also just sorta promotes a more positive competitive environment. No one wants to be “blown to h*ll” (well, not me, I’m competitive and that just irritates me to no end when someone is kinda arrogant about it).
I don;t particularly want to get onto the topic of where swearing is and isn;t correct,b ut as has been mentioned, you can;t change a store’s rules, so abide by them.
For the record, I’m not “old” and I was brought up with cr*p being a swaer. Also, as to those saying that people swear to “look cool, bulk out sentences” and because they have a low vocabulary, is a load of twoddle. I agree that it’s a rule of thumb, but I swear a Hell of a lot. Also, Hell and Heck are both blasphemies anyway, technically. Since blasphemy isn;t JUST taking the Lord’s name in vain. Oh well
Also, Hell and Heck are both blasphemies anyway, technically. Since blasphemy isn;t JUST taking the Lord's name in vain. Oh well :D
Hashut's Blessing
Then WFB and 40K considered a blasphemy?
Think about it for a second.
Praying to idols and false gods:
Empire: Sigmar and Ulric
Bretonnia: Lady of the Lake
O&G: Gork and Mork
Chaos: Khorne, Tseench, Slansesh and Nurgle
Lizardmen: Old Ones
Chaos Dwarfs: Hashut
Space Marines: The Emperor
There are others I know.
Then the use of Magic:
Fire, Heavens, Life, Death, Shadow, Metal, Beasts, Light, Ice (Kislev), Dark, High, and the Chaos and the WAAAGH ones. I forgot the Vamps and Tomb Kings magic.
We are playing a WAR GAME here. In the words of General Patton "War is Hell." Some of the armies are bastions from hell (Daemon Legion) and have Hell Spawn (Chaos).
I believe we should watch our P's and Q's (old term for not cursing) but some common sense should be maintained.
