A new shop on Abingdon’s High Street has its shelves stocked. It is where Conway opticians used to be. This newcomer still needs to unveil its name or open, but shelves are lined with vape products, crisps, and sweets. There are also phone cables. An array of hookahs (bongs) takes centre stage in the window. We are no longer quite so shocked by such things here in Abingdon. The new barber has some in the window. Abingdon’s last town centre newsagent was the first to display hookahs in the window.
Are hookahs shaped like assault weapons no longer worthy of concern on the basis of their second glorification, even if one does not question their first use?
I’d politely ask you to consider this post but for the need to call out the normalisation of what was previously, based on generations of experience, best described as worrying…
Turkish barbers and vaping shops. It is a sign of the times.
Hookahs, fine. Gun shaped ones? Kind of disturbing.
Glad the candy land sweet stores dotted around Oxford city centre haven’t discovered Abingdon. Yet.
A curious post and even more curious comments…
Since 1979 the UK has voted again and again for deregulation, small state, let individuals do what they want etc yet we still think we should have a say on what goes in shop Windows and even what Backstreeters’ Blog should report!
Those with conservative instincts really should make their minds up- moaning about shop windows owned/paid for by private money is not very conservative is it?
Personally I think if someone has the courage to open a shop, operating within our laws, during this recession, then they should be commended and not criticised. About time people supported local businesses instead of sniping from the sidelines!
And in the same vein of letting individuals do what they want do you also agree that people can voice opinions about things if they want? (And that in voicing opinion having that opinion not be dismissed as “moaning” or “sniping from the sidelines” by other people who are also just voicing their opinion? I’m sure you see what I’m getting at!)
Normalising and making light of the image of assault weapons has always happened – with things like children’s toy guns etc, but it doesn’t mean people can’t express unhappiness about this kind of thing. The saddest part about humanity is the tribal aggression that comes with our species. Imagine the advancements that could have been made if humans had been amore peaceful and collaborative species, and less hellbent on wiping each other out with the biggest weapons possible this past century and a half.
I’ve no issue myself with post contents, Backstreeter always reports on new things in the town, and this is certainly a new thing, and it makes for a eye catching image from a photography viewpoint. Owners of blogs can post about whatever they wish, it’s their blog after all!