When is FEEDBACK offensive? (NOT FOR THOSE EASILY OFFENDED.)

[lina-mallows]

I have a question as to when using ascii art crosses the line between acceptable, and unacceptable.

We've likely all seen the following, or variations thereof:

º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º FIVE STAR EBAYER º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º
(¯`'·.¸(¯`'·.¸ SEW MANY THANKS! ¸.·'´¯)¸.
//(*_*)\\//(*_*)\\//(*_*)\\//(*_*)\\//(*_*)\\
‹(•¿•)› .•:*¨¨*:•.GREAT eBayer ! .•:*¨¨*:•.Highly Recommend ! .•:*¨¨*:•. ‹(•¿•)›
«:::P:::» «:::E:::» «:::R:::» «:::F:::» «:::E:::» «:::C:::» «:::T:::»
¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º° TOP EBAYER°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸



Now- I once asked eBay about the following feedback:
"*´¯`*•.¸ .. ¥ .. ¸.•*´¯`*•"
and apprently they have no concern with it.
DOES THIS feedback CROSS THE LINE?

Can ascii art be objectionable?

[coxengines]

Lina,

Chill out!

Many, if not most of us, would take it as a compliment LOL!

Xena

[lina-mallows]

This question was raised as a legitimate concern with eBay Trust & Safety.

Recently- a feedback was removed using a word commonly heard in Canada- that in the UK is deemed to be obscene.

As eBay is an international venue- linguistic differences may be misinterpreted by some leading to misunderstandings.

We sell products, which for the most part, MAY NOT be shipped to certain countries. This has been further exacerbated by STARBUCKS' insistence to revert to the earlier "SPLIT FIN" logo.

PROPLEM- to many- this logo is both immodest, and obscene.
Try shipping these cards to any Arab Emirate customer.

While apparently innocuous when found on counters across the US- possessing this OBSCENE material may be a criminal offence in some countries.

eBay DOES NOT PERMIT the ability to 'micro manage' their shipping destinations so as to NOT ALLOW these items to viewed, or purchased from these offended countries.

THIS IS A REAL ISSUE.

We have also, and continue to offer VIABLE WILD FLOWER SEEDS- which are fine for Canada/US delivery. HOWEVER- worldwide regulations DO NOT permit the delivery to many countries. So- eBay- being able to EXCLUDE certain countries- ON A ONE BY ONE BASIS WOULD BE NICE- NOT BY THE PRESENT PAN-REGIONAL METHOD.

[tea_past_times]

There are so many good medicines in the world today. All of them just waiting to be prescribed. The doctor shortage makes it harder though.

[cartoonsinabox]

:^O

[itrecovery]

:^O

[mmarway]

Why would a rock skipping over water be considered offensive? I think it's all in how you see the feedback art. It's like those jumble pictures, you see what you want to, or don't see what you don't want to.
Jaime

[coxengines]

Ya know what?

After careful consideration, I have decided that I will be using this FB version in the future, on some of my responses.

I think that it is edgy, fun and in keeping with the "Warrior Princess's" philosophy.

Thanks for bringing this up, Lina, and sorry if if it contradicts your North-American morality.

Xena, as always... ]:)

[dipmicro]

Xena, you should be more tolerant to other people's sensitive points. Perhaps the suggestive ASCII art might be innocent joke to 99% of population but may not seem like that to a rape victim.

Lina, the cross-line is different among different people.

But I think if you worded your post like "Look everyone, a nice ASCII art feedback", you would likely get answers like "this is probably crossing the line" 😉

[recped]

Now- I once asked eBay about the following feedback:
"*´¯`*•.¸ .. ¥ .. ¸.•*´¯`*•"
and apprently they have no concern with it.
DOES THIS feedback CROSS THE LINE?

Maybe I need new glasses, I've looked at this a few times and I still don't know what it is. Of course I have trouble seeing those "hidden" image posters.

Actually it sort of look like my kitty!

[cartoonsinabox]

:^O;-)

[whoscloset]

I can't see it either.

[coxengines]

Well, as my hubby puts it after I jab him in the ribs when out in public, "it's not my fault her breasts were staring at my eyes".

Xena, you should be more tolerant to other people's sensitive points

Yes, dipmicro, I don't disagree with you in general terms, but there has a been a lot of ranting and raving on this board, which I (erroneously) assumed existed in order to enlist or dispense constructive advice.

We don't all have to agree to a point of view and when threads are akin to a cyberspace watercooler meeting, OPs have to reckon with contradictory views.

Xena]:)

[hope81026]

It would have gotten right past me as well.?:|

[dipmicro]

Xena, I realize Lina was little annoying, but I actually liked reading few of those posts she pulled from the past, many of the issues discussed were still current. She should not have pull them all the same evening but say 5 a day.

Beats "I love Monique Thread" any time of the day.

[whoscloset]

Beats "I love Monique Thread" any time of the day.

I'm sooooo not feelin' the loooooove. hehehe

[dipmicro]

Monique, we all love you, but this is not the right place to show it.

[whoscloset]

Monique, we all love you, but this is not the right place to show it.


Ooooooooh, that sounds promising. 😉

[cumos55]

The definition of obscenity and what is acceptable as oppose to unacceptable is a society/cultural based phenomenon.

Since we are visible worldwide... we must be fully aware that certain things may not be acceptable elsewhere..

All we have to do is read Manwatching by Desmond Morris... and realize what is not acceptable worldwide.

Unacceptability should be defined on a worldwide, cross cultural basis.

Graphic feedback should not be allowed.... as it may not have meaning unless viewed from a different angle... such as turning your computer screen upside-down ... or have a very vivid/worldly imagination.

Even certain ID could be offensive.....

[g-manthebossman]

excuse my ignorance what is offensive is there a symbol or something there that is offensive i am unfamiliar with it.