Adult Shops - Do they have a place in society?

Biggins · 21-08-2011 12:28AM #1

I was asking elsewhere on the forum just about a location of Adult Shops and one opinion offered was that their town was better without "that type of shop".

So I ask the lads and lassies here if I may, whats your attitude to adult shops?
* Do they have a place and role in society?
* Does anyone have a problem with their existence as a shop or would they prefer the old (some could say outdated) ways of everything handled "under the counter" as such and spoken about in hushed voices attitude - or is it time some moved on with the times and treated such shops with the respect, service and acknowledgement they deserve today?

Myself, I feel its time that some of the old attitudes of "its not the dine thing" or "we all know these places exist but not on my street" need to be thrown out with the ways of the past that have become outdated and frankly crass.
I feel its time some old "behind closed doors" subjects need more so to be faced and maybe we then wouldn't have to much sexual frustration that might had in the past led to evil people, taking their inner frustrations out onto others in bad and often illegal ways.

Adult shops for me offer for me in todays society, a way not to damage a partnership or is indeed bad - but offer instead more ways to enhance the life of the one you love, be it man or woman - and its about time we should not be ashamed for wanting to do just that with a little help sometimes from facilities available from adult shops - such as Ann Summers and such like.

The poll question for the forum is this:

If done tastefully right, would an Ann Summers style shop be acceptable to you in existence within your own town?

Poll question should say "within"
(Maybe a mod can edit it?)

later12 · 21-08-2011 12:32AM

Why would it have to be tasteful?

I don't find Dublin's more vulgar 'celeb' hangouts tasteful, but I don't care what goes on in there, or who ends us shagging whom as a result.

It's 2011, sex shops that provide a service to adults are none of other people's business.

jive · 21-08-2011 12:36AM

Won't somebody please think of the children??!! It's disgraceful Joe.

It's shop for phucks sake. I hate to break the bad news but the people who would be going into such shop would be causing a dirty ruckus around the town regardless of whether it was there or not. Or.... they might just be normal people..... but let's not throw mad ideas around. Sex toys and lingerie are for sick sick individuals.

Burn.
Them.
All.

Biggins · 21-08-2011 12:36AM

later10 wrote: »

Why would it have to be tasteful?

I assume there is in every town, regulations as to what can be displayed or that the decor of a shop frontage, has to be within local (and maybe national?) guidelines.
So "tasteful" in frontage so that no one is offended as they pass by and don't enter - if you know what I mean.

TheZohanS · 21-08-2011 12:37AM

Biggins wrote: »

I was asking elsewhere on the forum about Adult Shops and one opinion offered was that their town was better without "that type of shop".

So I ask the lads and lassies here if I may, whats your attitude to adult shops?
* Do they have a place and role in society?
* Does anyone have a problem with their existence as a shop or would they prefer the old (some could say outdated) ways of everything handled "under the counter" as such and spoken about in hushed voices attitude - or is it time some moved on with the times and treated such shops with the respect, service and acknowledgement they deserve today?

Myself, I feel its time that some of the old attitudes of "its not the dine thing" or "we all know these places exist but not on my street" need to be thrown out with the ways of the past that have become outdated and frankly crass.
I feel its time some old "behind closed doors" subjects need more so to be faced and maybe we then wouldn't have to much sexual frustration that might had in the past led to evil people, taking their inner frustrations out onto others in bad and often illegal ways.

Adult shops for me offer for me in todays society, a way not to damage a partnership or is indeed bad - but offer instead more ways to enhance the life of the one you love, be it man or woman - and its about time we should not be ashamed for wanting to do just that with a little help sometimes from facilities available from adult shops - such as Ann Summers and such like.

The poll question for the forum is this:

If done tastefully right, would an Ann Summers style shop be acceptable to you in existence within your own town?

Poll being created...

tl;dr: trying to convince madmammy to but a big dildo.

chin_grin · 21-08-2011 12:38AM

Careful now.

Ah they've a right to exist. They're a great resource for Halloween costumes. (Gimp masks........don't look at me like that!).

I mean before this thread goes all 8mm, there are people who are in to mad stuff (I know I've been in to these shops!) and once it doesn't interfere with my day to day or break any laws then fair play to 'em.

By the way............Ann Summers? Aw...........the innocence. :pac:

Princess Consuela Bananahammock · 21-08-2011 12:40AM

Biggins wrote: »

I was asking elsewhere on the forum about Adult Shops and one opinion offered was that their town was better without "that type of shop".

So I ask the lads and lassies here if I may, whats your attitude to adult shops?
* Do they have a place and role in society?
* Does anyone have a problem with their existence as a shop or would they prefer the old (some could say outdated) ways of everything handled "under the counter" as such and spoken about in hushed voices attitude - or is it time some moved on with the times and treated such shops with the respect, service and acknowledgement they deserve today?

Myself, I feel its time that some of the old attitudes of "its not the dine thing" or "we all know these places exist but not on my street" need to be thrown out with the ways of the past that have become outdated and frankly crass.
I feel its time some old "behind closed doors" subjects need more so to be faced and maybe we then wouldn't have to much sexual frustration that might had in the past led to evil people, taking their inner frustrations out onto others in bad and often illegal ways.

Adult shops for me offer for me in todays society, a way not to damage a partnership or is indeed bad - but offer instead more ways to enhance the life of the one you love, be it man or woman - and its about time we should not be ashamed for wanting to do just that with a little help sometimes from facilities available from adult shops - such as Ann Summers and such like.

The poll question for the forum is this:

If done tastefully right, would an Ann Summers style shop be acceptable to you in existence within your own town?

Poll being created...

Yes. This better not be Joe Duffy v Headshops II

WindSock · 21-08-2011 12:44AM

The only problem I have with them is the tacky seedy look they have in some places, you see this especially on the continent.

chin_grin · 21-08-2011 12:46AM

WindSock wrote: »

The only problem I have with them is the tacky seedy look they have in some places you see this especially on the continent.

This is how I see you now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4wBLUBa8YI

krudler · 21-08-2011 12:46AM

Anne Summers? thats more a one stop for cliche ridden hen nights (devil horns and sashes with "Ms Dirty" on them, nobody would ever expect that!) than a sex shop, someplace like Miss Fantasias is much better.

Biggins · 21-08-2011 12:47AM

WindSock wrote: »

The only problem I have with them is the tacky seedy look they have in some places you see this especially on the continent.

This is true - I have seen some myself in very beautiful cities and they let the rest of the area down - but I have also seen some very good frontage looking ones too in places you might not expect.

If done right - I feel they should be allowed to open most times in places that would be acceptable to most, as with other shops selling/offering goods or services.

D1stant · 21-08-2011 12:48AM

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

Yes. This better not be Joe Duffy v Headshops II

Anyone mentions Joe Duffy again, there will be blood.

Absurdum · 21-08-2011 12:49AM

Have you seen the ****e that passes for lingerie in tesco?

bollox to that, adult shops ftw

chin_grin · 21-08-2011 12:50AM

krudler wrote: »

....someplace like Miss Fantasias is much better.

+1. That's where I got my gimp mask.............for Halloween...........why won't anyone believe me?

Biggins wrote: »

......as with other shops selling/offering goods or services.

No no no, they're brothels. :pac:

Biggins · 21-08-2011 01:00AM

krudler wrote: »

Anne Summers? thats more a one stop for cliche ridden hen nights (devil horns and sashes with "Ms Dirty" on them, nobody would ever expect that!) than a sex shop, someplace like Miss Fantasias is much better.

Be it Ann Summers style or Miss Fantasias style - if as a shop front, they are within average acceptable standard practises of public decency etc, was partly my thought.
They don't HAVE to be an Ann Summers shop to be allowed as such but summers shops and others like it facade-wise, seen to look better presented to the public.

My name is URL · 21-08-2011 01:02AM

jive wrote: »

It's shop for phucks sake.

Literally

stovelid · 21-08-2011 01:03AM

I saw one once in Prague called EROTIC CITY.

I approved.

Captain Havoc · 21-08-2011 01:04AM

Sex is a normal part of every day life (well, should be) and I think anything that makes sex more pleasurable is a good thing. As for porn, a tommy tank is a normal thing and magazines/ videos are stimulating, with various free internet sites though, I don't know why one would pay for it.

PseudoFamous · 21-08-2011 01:06AM

Down with this sort of thing!

Bipolar Joe · 21-08-2011 01:08AM

Where else could I buy adults? They're clearly needed.

mikemac · 21-08-2011 01:13AM

Prime candidate for a NIMBY objection

They have a place but only in commercial areas.

Not in residential streets as they did by terraced housing in Bohermore, Galway with a bright sign and open until the early hours of the morning

The residents went a bit overboard with their protests but they had a point, this sort of shop should be in the town centre

Biggins wrote: »

Myself, I feel its time that some of the old attitudes of "its not the dine thing" or "we all know these places exist but not on my street" need to be thrown out with the ways of the past that have become outdated and frankly crass.

So this is a bit strong.
It would bother you if one opened right next door to you on your street or in your estate
These are open until one or two am and their bright signage

badabing106 · 21-08-2011 01:15AM

Anne summers = Adult shop lol

Wolfe Tone · 21-08-2011 01:18AM

Biggins that shop was located right beside the library, which as you know is frequented by lots of kids. Maybe I'm just a weirdo, but I'd rather not have young kids exposed to things like that.

Im flattered that my response provoked a thread though!

Ally Dick · 21-08-2011 01:18AM

I think Anne Summers shops are more harmless that the sex shop selling mags, videos etc. to be honest. Porn should be accessible to anyone over 18 that wants it. The sex shops in Ireland are in the right place, discreetly tucked away, doing no harm. That's the way it should be. I don't think we should ever get like England with body parts on display on the top shelfs of general newsagents. At the end of the day, who am I to criticise how another bloke has a pedal and crank, but as Billy Connolly said "It's not a spectator sport". Keep it all away from anyone underage, and I am fine with it

xsiborg · 21-08-2011 01:19AM

Interesting one this actually, was watching "Undercover Boss" on channel 4 recently and it was the boss of Ann Summers that went under cover to see how her shops could be improved, and it just so happened that customers wanted raunchier and more explicit niche, BDSM products, one shop i think it was in Brighton, the manageress there really seemed passionate about turning the Ann Summers brand from a cliche'd tacky shop to an actual proper sex shop.

i've been in the local ann summers shop and i have to say, while the attitude of the staff was extremely professional, a lot of the products were just standard "meh", as in they were over-priced "cheap" products, i just happened to be in a hurry as it was a friend's birthday that night so i paid €70 for a standard vibrator that i could have got online for half the price!

there's another sex shop then right across the road from a dunnes stores, doesn't seem to do much business though, i havent been in there yet myself but i imagine yet again they do more business online than from the shop.

i do think they have a place in modern society, certainly, but do i think they are a viable business in bricks and mortar form? certainly not.

maybe we then wouldn't have to much sexual frustration that might had in the past led to evil people, taking their inner frustrations out onto others in bad and often illegal ways.

hmm, cant see the connection there Biggins, evil people are evil, the visibility of sex shops, nor the availability of sex toys would never have, and will never, change this.

stovelid · 21-08-2011 01:19AM

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

Biggins that shop was located right beside the library, which as you know is frequented by lots of kids.

Unless they let kids into the shop, it's not an issue is it?

Would you object to a pub there?

Wolfe Tone · 21-08-2011 01:23AM

stovelid wrote: »

Unless they let kids into the shop, it's not an issue is it?

Would you object to a pub there?

Bit of an issue when they have stuff in the window or posters stuck up outside.

Biggins · 21-08-2011 01:24AM

Wolfe Tone wrote: »

Biggins that shop was located right beside the library, which as you know is frequented by lots of kids. Maybe I'm just a weirdo, but I'd rather not have young kids exposed to things like that.

Im flattered that my response provoked a thread though!

The windows were indeed completely frosted up and showed absolutely nothing outside or as to contents - and was in fact around the corner slightly further down a wide alleyway (disco at the bottom of it and apartments).
Young minds I suggest even by passing in close proximity, would have known little or nothing to its inner contents, just even in passing.

krudler · 21-08-2011 01:25AM

Biggins wrote: »

Be it Ann Summers style or Miss Fantasias style - if as a shop front, they are within average acceptable standard practises of public decency etc, was partly my thought.
They don't HAVE to be an Ann Summers shop to be allowed as such but summers shops and others like it facade-wise, seen to look better presented to the public.

http://s3-media3.px.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/aRaZl0KZr3IKvcwOmeQq2A/l.jpg

thats Miss Fantasias, perfectly acceptable I'd reckon, you'd see as much lingerie in the window of Dunnes as you would there

Biggins · 21-08-2011 01:28AM

mikemac wrote: »

...It would bother you if one opened right next door to you on your street or in your estate
These are open until one or two am and their bright signage

As the head of the residents association, I would have to guage the neighbours feelings and act upon those - myself, if it was run appropriately as with any other business, trying to fit in with the area and done allowing for others worries, I would genuinely have no objection.

Ally Dick wrote: »

I think Anne Summers shops are more harmless that the sex shop selling mags, videos etc. to be honest. Porn should be accessible to anyone over 18 that wants it. The sex shops in Ireland are in the right place, discreetly tucked away, doing no harm. That's the way it should be. I don't think we should ever get like England with body parts on display on the top shelfs of general newsagents. At the end of the day, who am I to criticise how another bloke has a pedal and crank, but as Billy Connolly said "It's not a spectator sport". Keep it all away from anyone underage, and I am fine with it

Thats my general feeling too.

K-9 · 21-08-2011 01:32AM

xsiborg wrote: »

Interesting one this actually, was watching "Undercover Boss" on channel 4 recently and it was the boss of Ann Summers that went under cover to see how her shops could be improved, and it just so happened that customers wanted raunchier and more explicit niche, BDSM products, one shop i think it was in Brighton, the manageress there really seemed passionate about turning the Ann Summers brand from a cliche'd tacky shop to an actual proper sex shop.

i've been in the local ann summers shop and i have to say, while the attitude of the staff was extremely professional, a lot of the products were just standard "meh", as in they were over-priced "cheap" products, i just happened to be in a hurry as it was a friend's birthday that night so i paid €70 for a standard vibrator that i could have got online for half the price!

there's another sex shop then right across the road from a dunnes stores, doesn't seem to do much business though, i havent been in there yet myself but i imagine yet again they do more business online than from the shop.

i do think they have a place in modern society, certainly, but do i think they are a viable business in bricks and mortar form? certainly not.

hmm, cant see the connection there Biggins, evil people are evil, the visibility of sex shops, nor the availability of sex toys would never have, and will never, change this.

Anne Summers is like the McDonalds of sex shops. Over priced, commercialised crap.

I'd rather a nice, tasteful lingerie shop on a main street.

Leave Anne Summers to shopping centres with the other multi national, advertising, boring stuff.

Adult Shops - Do they have a place in society?

Would you accept an Ann Summers style shop with your town? 274 votes

Comments