Parents fume at 'inappropriate' HMV item that 'shouldn't be at kids' eye level'

20 December 2023 , 08:28

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HMV has stirred up a frenzy amongst parents (Image: Getty Images)

There's stocking filler drama on the high street.

Some people can't resist a cheeky Christmas gift, whether it's a rude card for your in-laws or a M&M dispenser that looks like a dog pooing. However, some tongue-in-cheek presents may not be suitable for everyone.

Depending on your humour, you may or may not appreciate a box of penis pasta wrapped neatly under the tree. Recently, a popular music retailer has come under fire for floggings a series of small gifts emblazoned with profanity, which had been placed directly next to a bunch of children-friendly games. Parents aren't happy, and insist such items 'shouldn't be at kids' eye level'.

One woman browsing on the merchandise aisle at HMV spotted two mugs with the phrase 'fresh out of f***s' and 'rock out with your c**k out'. The swearry items were positioned on a low shelf, next to a PlayStation light, as well as novelty gifts from Minecraft, Animal Crossing, and Super Mario Bros.

Some parents said the mugs were 'harmless' whilst others branded them 'out of order' (mumsnet)

Taking to Mumsnet, the anonymous shopper claimed that she pointed out the display to a member of staff, who allegedly replied with a simple: "Ok?" She says she has since messaged the company asking them to 'reconsider the positioning of the products' but nothing has come from it so far.

'I don't want children staying up late at weekends - I really need adult time'

"I feel like I'm completely out of touch," she said. "If I had my 10-year-old son with me, I would've been very cross to have reading that amongst the Minecraft merch."

Many parents agreed with the post, branding the display as 'completely out of order'. "I'd hate this too, imagine five years olds just learning to read and trying to read everything they see," one user wrote.

Another added: "It's not nice for young children to have to see." While a third fumed: "It's aimed at adults so should be at eye level for adults, not children. They are placed with popular children's merchandise and they are not appropriate for children. Children deserve to have their childhood innocence protected."

However, some parents took a different approach, saying that they don't really mind about the mugs being visible. "I can't say it would bother me," one user wrote. "We had a few 'quirky' gift shops when I was younger which had stuff like that in it. Me and my friends just giggled at it, it didn't do us any harm."

Another commented: "I don't think I would have worried about this when my kids were little. A little reception classmate was saying f**k before they could read."

HMV did not respond when the Mirror reached out for comment.

What do you think about the mugs? Let us know in the comments section below

Liam Gilliver