September 7, 2010

ELIZABETH ROSE

ER: “I write about sex and dating on the internet.”

London guy 1: “You want something new to write about?”

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ER: “I write about sex and dating on the internet.”

Edinburgh guy: “What’s wrong with just doing it? Is it some kind of bullshit therapy thing?”

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ER: “I write about sex and dating on the internet.”

Dublin guy: “I don’t use the internet outside of work. You want another drink?”

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ER: “I write about sex and dating on the internet.”

Spanish guy: “Que?”

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ER: “I write about sex and dating on the internet.”

London guy 2: “I really don’t want to have my name associated. You should have said you were a journalist. I have to go – you publish about me and I’ll sue. My family has great lawyers, so I’m warning you.”

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I’m being  flippant, but the realisation that sex is still a taboo for many people came as a surprise to me. Even with the traditional British reserve, my social circle was open without being vulgar while discussing such topics as the merits of rimming or a recent boyfriend’s cum face.

Potentially, many of those from whom I have encountered hostility, suspicion and on occasion, fear, do have a circle with whom they can discuss such matters. Perhaps it is just the fact that these are being published to a wider audience via this site that causes them such horror.

It does seem that sex has remained a taboo for many people. That those who wish to share experiences, knowledge or ideas are seen as deviant or in some way flawed. Yet this is in a society where sex is used to sell toothpaste, cars, bank accounts; basically everything. Sex is everywhere. And yet it seems it shouldn’t be talked about openly and publicly?

If we are going to counterbalance the constant sexualisation of our media and culture; isn’t an open dialogue a key to that? And in a world of internet searches, socia media and wikis; doesn’t it make sense that it would be an online dialogue?

Or maybe I should stop telling drunk horny boys by way of  a shock tactic to get them to stop looking at my boobs. That could be part of the problem…

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