A recent visit to the theatre made me think how things have changed over the years. What was once unacceptable now is considered by many to be the norm.
Mick and I went and saw Jersey Boys. The singing, dancing and acting were fabulous and of course it was one of those shows where we knew the words to all the songs. We’ve got most of them in the originals by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. It was interesting to note that many of the audience were around the same age group as us, though others who had seen it in Melbourne said everyone in their family from 15-70 had seen it.
There is a warning before the show about the language and even though it may have been in context and in keeping with the characters, I admit I would have preferred it toned down or cut out.
Years ago when Mick and I were young, guys never swore in front of their mothers, girlfriends, wife or any female and especially never used the F word. It was a sign of respect. In all the years Mick and I have been married I have not heard it from his lips. Yet I can walk up the street and hear young teenagers use it as almost every second word, like replacing um. It’s not just from guys either. Some girls sprinkle it around like salt.
The general consensus of movies and media these days seems to be it is part of everyone’s everyday speech. Not the people I know it isn’t. It’s not a word our friends or their wives or husbands use.
What did strike me though was the couple behind us. He remarked at interval how there was a lot of language in Jersey Boys.
‘Is there? I hadn’t noticed any,’ the woman next to him said in all seriousness.
Yes, times have changed. Not always for the better. Would you agree?
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