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HelpRe: Jolene on a Danish baby!?
in reply to a message by CB
The Dolly Parton song doesn't make it trashy unless you are one of those closed-minded fools who assumes that all country music is white trash. I think the song actually elevates the name somewhat and I would much rather see a Jolene than a Matilda.
On a Danish baby, it could be odd, but it could also be a cross-cultural reference. To me, it's the same as an American using a Danish name.
On a Danish baby, it could be odd, but it could also be a cross-cultural reference. To me, it's the same as an American using a Danish name.
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Maybe I should have explained myself better
I don't find the name trashy because of the Dolly Parton reference, but because it is usually a certain demographic here in Denmark that give their children English/American names. This have lead to a certain prejudice, if you will, that English/American name on Danish child = low-class and future criminal and/or on wellfare.
An example of this is Brian, which is now slang for a criminal and/or a generally bad person, who is uneducated and violent. He offentimes own a car, which he have 'pimped out' and he drives around in it playing very loud music and ignores practically all laws regarding speeding, decent driving etc.
What worries me is that little Jolene (who by the way, is a beautiful baby; I saw a picture) will suffer from this. She will grow up and will be branded because of her name. People will most likely think she is stupid/uneducated and a part of a demographic that live on the bottom of the Danish society.
To add to that, there is Dolly Parton song reference and it is the lyrics that worry me, not the fact that it is country music. "Jolene, please don't take my man" will come back to haunt little Danish Jolene big time once she is older!
Just for the record; I have a very varied taste in music, and no, I do not make the equation of country music equals white trash. Jolene by Dolly Parton is the only cultural reference most Danes have with the name Jolene and therefore I found it natural to bring it up in discussion of the name - it is important because it is an obvious cause for bullying/teasing/whatever.
I don't find the name trashy because of the Dolly Parton reference, but because it is usually a certain demographic here in Denmark that give their children English/American names. This have lead to a certain prejudice, if you will, that English/American name on Danish child = low-class and future criminal and/or on wellfare.
An example of this is Brian, which is now slang for a criminal and/or a generally bad person, who is uneducated and violent. He offentimes own a car, which he have 'pimped out' and he drives around in it playing very loud music and ignores practically all laws regarding speeding, decent driving etc.
What worries me is that little Jolene (who by the way, is a beautiful baby; I saw a picture) will suffer from this. She will grow up and will be branded because of her name. People will most likely think she is stupid/uneducated and a part of a demographic that live on the bottom of the Danish society.
To add to that, there is Dolly Parton song reference and it is the lyrics that worry me, not the fact that it is country music. "Jolene, please don't take my man" will come back to haunt little Danish Jolene big time once she is older!
Just for the record; I have a very varied taste in music, and no, I do not make the equation of country music equals white trash. Jolene by Dolly Parton is the only cultural reference most Danes have with the name Jolene and therefore I found it natural to bring it up in discussion of the name - it is important because it is an obvious cause for bullying/teasing/whatever.
This message was edited 12/31/2008, 4:51 AM
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Actually, Jolene is described as a beautiful and very attractive girl in the song. Did you not pay attention to that part...?
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Just out of curiosity... How many Danes actually listen to Dolly Parton or have heard the song? I have spent whole chunks of my life in towns where country music is grossly overplayed and NEVER even heard of this song until this year on this website...
Could be a regional thing though... I knew almost no Carpenters music until I moved to Japan where "Top of the World" is played quite frequently (and I'd never heard it before)... In Canada, the Carpenters are old news that very few people listen to anymore and if they do, it would prob'ly date them a little.
Could be a regional thing though... I knew almost no Carpenters music until I moved to Japan where "Top of the World" is played quite frequently (and I'd never heard it before)... In Canada, the Carpenters are old news that very few people listen to anymore and if they do, it would prob'ly date them a little.
This message was edited 12/31/2008, 5:54 AM
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