Today I found an Etsy store that was UG-LY! The words ‘free form’ were bandied about as if that made up for the complete lack of colour and design principles in the product. I was about to post a picture of the Etsy monstrosity when I stopped and thought ‘Hang on a minute. This is some one’s work. Some one’s artistic integrity. Some poor student working their way through school or some grandma trying to earn a buck to buy her grand-kids a Christmas present. So what if she is trying to sell lumps of unidentifiable crap slapped together with craft glue. Good on her! ’ and then I punched my fist in the air and cheered for goodwill through out the universe. And then I thought ‘Hell that shit’s just gross – someone better put this poor person out of their misery’. And so began my moral dilemma.

We are constantly criticizing the outfits and behaviours of celebrities, musicians, royalty, politicians, our bosses, our mothers, our friends, our boyfriends… the list goes on. Not to mention the seasonal collections of the world’s top designers. We usually do this quietly and behind the other person’s back, generally because we are scared of being hated or being branded a bitch. I’m getting quite a hefty little readership here at Smaggle and I’m noticing that the things I say are reaching bigger audiences than they ever have before. Which means I have to start being more careful when Smaggle McBitchface comes to play because she can be a nasty little wench. I have never hesitated to verbally bash the celebrities that irritate me – Anne Hathaway, Kiera Knightly, Kirsten Dunst and (shudder…) Bindi Irwin. Why? Because I am NOBODY to them. They couldn’t care less because not one of them will ever read my blog or meet me in person. And if they do ever find my blog then they are stupid because they have clearly been googling themselves and that’s lame. Also they are celebrities so they put themselves in a vulnerable position. But doesn’t the owner of the Shop of Crap do the same thing? Doesn’t anyone putting their product out there invite criticism?

The point is this – Do we have the right to tell people that they suck? And should their social status dictate whether or not we fire the bullet? The only thing stopping me from outing the hideous Etsy store is that I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. I have no problems having a dig at Bindi and she’s eight years old. That makes me a horrible bully and I’m literally picking on a little girl. So why am I so concerned with the feelings of Fugly Nanna over at Etsy trying to sell what looks like mouldy muffins? She has commited a far worse crime than little Bindi - Bindi is just annoying. Fugly Nanna is actually creating ugliness and polluting the world with it. She really should be put behind bars.

So what do you think? Should we care about everyone? Or care about no-one? And when it comes to (constructive) criticism are the lines really blurred depending on who it is that you are dissing?

Love Lady Smaggle

xxx

Disclaimer – I don’t actually think it’s okay to put other people down. After all who the hell am I to talk? I just think that the most admirable trait in people is the quest for self-improvement. And how are we ever to improve ourselves if others are too scared to (gently) point out our weaknesses?

Oh and Bindi my love, if you are reading this, don’t take it personally. It’s just that no-one likes a precocious child star. Lucky for you, you won’t be one forever.

Photo from My Ugly Sweater