Size isn't everything
It is generally well-known that Poland doesn't really do as much as it could to promote tourism. Successive governments have said that the money just isn't available to sell Poland to the world as a holiday destination, despite the obvious fact that it would pay for itself through the money that tourists would spend here. However, this week awareness of Poland as a place to holiday was boosted thanks to some local councilors arguing over the size of a woman's breasts.
Let me explain.
Private Eye is a magazine in the U.K. that calls itself satirical, but which its detractors call scurrilous. Its main objective is to report and expose the hypocrisy that runs rife through the British establishment, and, given the U.K.'s draconian libel laws, most people acknowledge that if it prints something controversial and doesn't get sued, then whatever it said is probably true.
The magazine has numerous sections and features, one of which is called 'Funny Old World,' where it reprints the absurd and often hilarious stories found by its readers in far-flung parts of the world. In the current issue, a story from the Polish Pomeranian Voice is featured which keeps to that formula, although it's hard to decide whether it is more absurd or more hilarious.
The story reported a council meeting that took place in the town of Ustka, and, incidentally, what follows was also featured on national Polish TV.
In discussing ways to attract more tourists to the town, councilor Piotr Wszolkowski got the ball rolling with, "Let us not delude ourselves, Ustka's present crest is not very attractive. In particular, the mermaid's breasts are just not big enough, and this element of the design urgently needs altering. I have my own ideas of just how big they should be, and will soon put forward a design for immediate consideration."
"The mermaid reflects the tastes of another era," argued another councilor, "Bigger breasts would obviously make the town more attractive to tourists - so she should be given silicone implants without delay." In a deft example of democracy in action, the chairman disagreed, saying, "I find her breasts attractive as they are. Small breasts are a sign of youth, and their size is of secondary importance."
When quizzed, the mayor did a nice sidestep, saying, "As the matter has not officially been brought to my attention, it does not officially concern me. However, I should like to put on record that I like all mermaids, no matter what kind of tits they have."
Finally, the Private Eye piece informed us, the matter was referred to the Heraldic Commission at the Ministry of the Interior, whose permission will be required before any enlargement can take place.
While some people might think of other things, such as better facilities or improved transport links, it's nice to see that in Ustka they really spend their time grappling with the thornier aspects of increasing tourism. And it gets publicized, too.
Let me explain.
Private Eye is a magazine in the U.K. that calls itself satirical, but which its detractors call scurrilous. Its main objective is to report and expose the hypocrisy that runs rife through the British establishment, and, given the U.K.'s draconian libel laws, most people acknowledge that if it prints something controversial and doesn't get sued, then whatever it said is probably true.
The magazine has numerous sections and features, one of which is called 'Funny Old World,' where it reprints the absurd and often hilarious stories found by its readers in far-flung parts of the world. In the current issue, a story from the Polish Pomeranian Voice is featured which keeps to that formula, although it's hard to decide whether it is more absurd or more hilarious.
The story reported a council meeting that took place in the town of Ustka, and, incidentally, what follows was also featured on national Polish TV.
In discussing ways to attract more tourists to the town, councilor Piotr Wszolkowski got the ball rolling with, "Let us not delude ourselves, Ustka's present crest is not very attractive. In particular, the mermaid's breasts are just not big enough, and this element of the design urgently needs altering. I have my own ideas of just how big they should be, and will soon put forward a design for immediate consideration."
"The mermaid reflects the tastes of another era," argued another councilor, "Bigger breasts would obviously make the town more attractive to tourists - so she should be given silicone implants without delay." In a deft example of democracy in action, the chairman disagreed, saying, "I find her breasts attractive as they are. Small breasts are a sign of youth, and their size is of secondary importance."
When quizzed, the mayor did a nice sidestep, saying, "As the matter has not officially been brought to my attention, it does not officially concern me. However, I should like to put on record that I like all mermaids, no matter what kind of tits they have."
Finally, the Private Eye piece informed us, the matter was referred to the Heraldic Commission at the Ministry of the Interior, whose permission will be required before any enlargement can take place.
While some people might think of other things, such as better facilities or improved transport links, it's nice to see that in Ustka they really spend their time grappling with the thornier aspects of increasing tourism. And it gets publicized, too.
