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Her expression immediately soured, and she said, “Ugh, why do those people have to claim everything for themselves?”
Puzzled, I asked her what she meant, and she launched into a rant: “Everything just has to be gay now. Gay, gay, gay!”
I couldn’t help but chuckle and replied, “Pretty sure the name ‘gayfeather’ was coined when ‘gay’ meant happy, not anything to do with sexuality.”
I was ready to move on, but she wouldn’t let it go and started to get visibly upset. “You don’t need to use profanity,” she snapped. “What profanity?” I asked, genuinely confused. “The H-word,” she replied. “Homosexual?” I asked. “You’re a disgusting pervert,” she fired back. “Homosexual isn’t a swear word. But ‘bitch’ is,” I countered.
She stormed off, grumbling about how disrespectful “kids” are these days. For the record, lady, I’m forty-two, not some teenager.
By the way, the gayfeathers look fabulous in my garden, and yes, they do have a bit of a…phallic vibe!
*Edit: Just to clarify, that’s “forty-two,” not a teenager.
**2nd Edit: The flower was sold at Home Depot under the name Gayfeather, though it goes by other names too. Here’s a picture of the pot it came in: [link].
For anyone doubting that people like this woman exist, several garden center employees have shared similar experiences. And if you’re skeptical about such blatant homophobia, this happened in Eagle, ID. Here’s a link to an article about the kind of events that happen in our community.
read more: REDDIT
AITA for Upsetting a Boomer Over a Flower Name?
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Earlier today, a shopper at Home Depot had an unusual encounter while browsing clearance flowers. With her phone out to check planting details, she was joined by an older woman, whom we’ll refer to as Karen. The shopper had already selected a few flowers and placed them in her cart. When Karen asked about the flowers and learned they were called “gayfeather,” she reacted with visible disgust.
Karen scoffed, saying, “Ugh, those people just have to claim everything, don’t they?” Confused, the shopper asked for clarification, and Karen continued her rant, insisting, “Everything just has to be gay. Gay, gay, gay!”
The shopper couldn’t help but laugh and explained, “I’m pretty sure the name ‘gayfeather’ came from when ‘gay’ meant happy, not sexual orientation.”
Despite the shopper’s attempt to defuse the situation, Karen grew increasingly agitated. She accused the shopper of using profanity, referring to “the H-word.” When the shopper asked if she meant “homosexual,” Karen called her a “disgusting pervert.” The shopper countered, “Homosexual isn’t profanity. ‘Bitch’ is.”
Karen stormed off, grumbling about the perceived rudeness of “kids” today. The shopper, who is forty-two, found the whole exchange more amusing than upsetting.
The gayfeathers, by the way, look fantastic in her garden and, yes, they do have a somewhat phallic appearance.
*Edit: Just to clarify, she is indeed “forty-two,” not a teenager.
**2nd Edit: The flower was labeled as Gayfeather at Home Depot, though it has other names as well. Here’s a link to a picture of the pot it came in: [link].
For those who might doubt the existence of such individuals, there are multiple replies from garden center employees who have faced similar issues. Additionally, if you’re skeptical about the level of homophobia, this took place in Eagle, ID. Here’s a link to an article highlighting similar events in the community.
Let’s Find out: AITA for Upsetting a Boomer Over a Flower Name?
Unfortunately it’s a very rare parasite but there is a flower called titanophallus it’s about seven feet tall and smells like rotting fish.
Or yellow bellied tits, or blue footed boobies. Granted both are birds instead of flowers but you know she would still be fully up in arms about the names.
Pretty sure it’s Legally Blonde, maybe the sequel.
Ruby-throated wood-pecker
What a difference a simple (dash) can make.
This whole thread has been fire, but this is what made me snort my drink and now I have to go sit down and think about how old I am.
