I shut my eyes when I saw Morris dancers

SO, it seems several people were shocked and offended when a woman stripped naked in front of dozens of customers in a city centre pub and allegedly allowed a group of men to grope her while she poured oil over her breasts, Disgust as stripper is fondled in the middle of popular city pub, Echo, August 15.

Okay, they were offended. I accept that. And?

People get offended all of the time, for all sorts of reasons. I've been offended many a time, but I've just shrugged my shoulders and got on with my life. I certainly haven't contacted the authorities.

Well done to those of you who found it distasteful but chose not to take it any further, because that's what this is all about — allowing people to enjoy themselves, even if it isn't the kind of enjoyment you necessarily agree with.

What this boils down to is an attempt by one exasperated person to ruin the lives and the fun of others — an attempt to perhaps bring about changes in this city whereby this kind of performance in a public place is prohibited.

I understand that a pub is a public place and I understand that everyone should be catered for. But pleasing everyone, all of the time, is nigh on impossible.

Unless the landlord of the Black Horse is keeping something from us, I don't think he makes a habit of welcoming half-naked women into his pub. Having said that, have you seen the way some girls dress these days? Perhaps there's a complaint form for that.

It was a one-off on one night for a stag party, for goodness sake!

The woman was hired to perform, and perform she did. It was a few minutes of fun and frolics — to set the groom off on his merry way — and then it ended.

I wasn't there on the night in question but I'd bet my bottom dollar there were far more people enjoying the performance than not.

So if this person's complaint is taken seriously by the council, what's next? A Jehovah's Witness being able to make a complaint at the sudden, stressful appearance of Father Christmas? Yes, Santa shows up at Christmas, it's common knowledge — and strippers show up at stag nights.

What's the difference? Some people actually enjoy Santa and strippers.

Actually, I was in a pub last year having a quiet and intimate evening with my partner. Suddenly, a group of Morris dancers appeared and began gyrating around the table next to us. It was distressing, to say the least.

I couldn't work out why the people on the table were smiling, until my partner told me they were actually enjoying themselves. I found that very difficult to comprehend.

What I did next though was amazing. I closed my eyes! Suffice to say, I've had no nightmares about it at all.

And the council, obviously, was none the wiser.

Elaine Denning

Exeter

(via thisisexeter.co.uk)