There's been much fuss lately about "bans" of so-called Australian summer traditions, such as the Australian flag at the Big Day Out, and the Mexican Wave at the cricket. By and large the bans haven't worked; people are carrying on the "offending" behaviour to a greater degree than before, apparently out of a sense of defiance.
Do you wonder if it was all planned this way? Maybe those who issued the "bans" were using reverse psychology to get those flags-a-flying and the waves...a-wavin (sorry for that one, I guess I can kiss my chances of a Bloggie goodbye).
Anyway, if it works, I'd like to give this reverse pschology stuff a try. Therefore, here are some things I want banned immediately:
- Schoolchildren giving up their seats for adults on public transport
- Use of deodorant
- Nightclubs and pubs which provide free water
- Orderly queing
- Obedience of traffic signals (double penalties applying at pedestrian crossings)
- Big Brother (okay, maybe BB should in fact be banned. But it provides a huge self-esteem boost; at least thirty minutes a day of people I can feel superior to).
On the other hand, I would in fact make it compulsory for people to listen to (and believe!) right-wing radio talk show hosts.
Got any others?
On a side note, this is - by far - the most obscure reference I've ever used for a post title.
ReplyDeleteIt comes from a late 1980s Mad magazine spoof of Michael Jackson song lyrics.
It all makes sense to someone, I'm sure.
Nice list of 'banned' things...pretty comprehensive. I'm a big supporter of the school kids on the bus giving up their seats and the whole deodorant issue.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see a universal ban on the use of shoes, socks and aerosol cheese.
ReplyDelete...and I'm close enough to St John, that I can almost see you waving. Nice post - good blog.
Tracey - yes, it makes me furious when kids don't give up their seats (and I've seen them ignore very frail seniors). Also deodorant, and hygiene generally - it's not like it ever gets so cold in Australia you wouldn't be able to wash (and nowhere are the water restrictions that strict!)
ReplyDeleteSinisterdan - I'm not sure where St John is, but thank you.