Swearing

Picture the scene, I walk out of a gig at Edinburgh fringe, it's raining and am laughing and saying goodbye to some folks and I get straight into a cab as someone shouts "Loved the show Janey" and the taxi driver asks "Are you a comedian?" I reply quite proudly "Yes I am" and I forgot in my elation that I usually don't speak about comedy in taxi's as I know what he is going to say next...I forgot and before I could think another thing I heard him say the inevitable "Do you swear?".
 

I have my stock answer "I don't swear anymore than the male comics or less than the local priest".
 

That usually makes them look into their mirror and then I hear him say "Ah...your one of those feminist women" as if the only way I could possibly answer them back is because I have a political agenda and some buckwheat sandals that I wear as I breastfeed foundlings on my lactating pendulous braless titties.
 

"No more a feminist than most of the male comics but usually more than the local priest, have you ever asked a male comic if he swears?" I add and hopefully this will end this painfully awkward corner we have talked our way into.
 

I just pull on my headphones (always great to get out of these situations) and nod to music as he mouths some shit I cannot hear but his eyebrows look knotted and angry.
 

I don't know why 'swearing' is something that female's have to be told not to do. Is it really that bad? Has anyone ever really hated Kevin Bridges, Frankie Boyle and Billy Connolly's language onstage to the point where they discuss with a pursed mouth?
 

Dara O'Briain says the word 'Feck' live on television, we all know it means 'fuck' does Dara get belittled for being an uneducated ill-informed swearer? No, he doesn't he is one of Ireland's most intelligent funny men.
 

So it is a class issue? I have seen very well spoken middle class English women swear in comedy and somehow it is more acceptable, especially if said by 'apparent slip of the tongue' or by the medium of a 'puppet' (see Nina Conti's filthy mouthed Monkey).
 

Does my swearing sound worse because I am a working class Scottish woman?
 

If I was a Oxbridge graduate swearing onstage would it be seen as 'urban and gritty' like a hipster getting angry at a flat tyre but in my accent does it sound really harsh and filthy and all you hear is a slovenly washer woman taking us back years with her filthy language?
 

Recently I attended a "Vote Yes" event for Scottish creative's.
 

All lovely people, authors, musicians in a Glasgow basement.
 

The male author swore, the musician had some choice language in his songs and not a word was spoken, but the female (who spouts the values a gender equality independence group) got up to introduce me she told the audience...
 

"Next up is comedian Janey Godley, she might use offensive language so if you are easily offended, please bear this in mind".


I walked to the stage so angry. I know she didn't do it to hurt me but despite being part of a gender equality group she was hardwired to apologise for a woman before that woman spoke. She never apologised after the men onstage swore. I never got that chance. The audience were told I was probably going to be offensive.
 

One day this will end.
 

So thanks for reading, if you want follow me on twitter @JaneyGodley for updates and daily shenanigans.
 

Women.

Imagine there was a place where women weren't really valued ? They were occasionally allowed but only in rare numbers, and men who were not always as well qualified got the better jobs over the women?

 

Think of this place...are you picturing it ? This is a place where men can talk about equality, values and the plight of people in today's politics. They have adverts where they extol the virtues of men and how good men are in this place.

 

If a woman dares to complain about the lack of women in the place, the men mostly turn their backs and make sure they don't say anything, as they may not get work again or are seen as 'trouble makers' and the women are told the reason they aren't valued is because they aren't good enough, they are made to seem...."whingey and bitter". It shatters the women's confidence and plays to her insecurities.

 

When they televise men doing this job in their place, they have heaps of men and occasionally they will have a female...but she might not be in the same job, she can be a model or a presenter who doesn't pose any threat to the men, as she does a different job altogether. She will be neutral. The women who do the same job rarely get a chance as they may be a challenge to the men or maybe the public don't like seeing women do this, as they aren't used to it as they haven't fully been introduced to women doing this job ....like the men do.

 

These men will take their jobs seriously and the Army take them over to speak to the troops, paying them heaps of money. There are women in the troops but they rarely see women talking to them, but they can see women in sexy bikini's dancing for the men.

 

This isn't some middle eastern corporation based on sexism and inhibiting women's rights....this is comedy in the UK...comedy today. Luckily there are people trying to change this and slowly making changes....the glass ceiling is not a myth...good news is we women keep it clean every time we reach it.

 

Happy International Women's Day.

 

 

 

Janey Godley’s Podcast Episode 121

(Please be aware that this Podcast Contains strong language)

 

In episode 121 of Janey Godley’s podcast Ashley is joined by Victoria Barnet, the two delve into the American election and tales of Vikie’s dad and his local legendary status. They discuss Vikie’s recent relationship and Janey’s impending return.

 

Meanwhile Janey sends us her views on the election, women’s rights and the abuse inquests going on in the UK. All this plus lots of laughs from the girls back home.

 

Mother and Daughter comedy team get to natter and the world gets to hear it on Janey Godley’s podcasts, expect some bawdy language and home truths, as Janey Godley and Ashley Storrie lead you down the roads less taken in their fantastic weekly podcast. Listen as mother and daughter banter, bait and burst with laughter.

 

Janey Godley Podcast at: Episode 121

 

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