Courtesy and Interest or Politically Incorrect?

[Jeremy]

If someone is from a different ethnic background - but I don't want to offend them by assuming that they're "foreign" - I usually just ask them if they've always lived in Britain/England/London or whatever.

[Brendan]

atila the gooner Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

>"I'm English and northern and I'l say what I

> bloody well like no matter who it upsets" &

> "foreigners are to blame for all the ills of our

> glorious country" approach.

Call me a cynic but aren?t this country?s glories to blame for most if its ills?

[*Bob*]

atila the gooner Wrote:

> In your case, for a sense of irony read insulting

> and racial stereotyping, and not knowing the

> difference.

If a crass bit of racial stereotyping in a thread entitled 'Courtesy and Interest or Politically Incorrect' doesn't qualify as irony.. well.. I don't know what does. Too much football has rotted you mind.

[atila the gooner]

*Bob* Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> atila the gooner Wrote:

>

> > In your case, for a sense of irony read

> insulting

> > and racial stereotyping, and not knowing the

> > difference.

>

> If a crass bit of racial stereotyping in a thread

> entitled 'Courtesy and Interest or Politically

> Incorrect' doesn't qualify as irony.. well.. I

> don't know what does. Too much football has rotted

> you mind.

And too much xenophobia has rotted your diseased mind, you make racist comments and call it irony. You must be an egg chaser who thinks it's ok to go into any take away establishment and crack tasteless, Alf Garnett type jokes and expect to get away with it. Think before opening your mouth or posting remarks in questionable taste.

[Jah Lush]

For once *Bob* I am in agreement with Atila. Your original comment was insensitive and uncalled for and calling it irony is bollocks. It was racial stereotyping. I think you owe Atila an apology.

[LizzygotDizzy]

Here Here!!! @ Jah!

[*Bob*]

Oh dear.

Very poor.

I shall try and make things more facile for people in future.

[LizzygotDizzy]

Oh come on Bob, it was kind of blatent re the "kebab" comment! was that irony then? See what is irony to one may cause offence to another, lol.

[Jah Lush]

Lizzy, sorry to be pedantic but it's hear hear. OK.

[LizzygotDizzy]

Bah humbug! am at work and trying to post on forum without my boss looking over my shoulder and catching me! (raspberries Jah>>>>>)

[*Bob*]

LizzygotDizzy Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Oh come on Bob, it was kind of blatent re the

> "kebab" comment! was that irony then?

Hello? HELLO? Does anyone have a brain out there?

Yes.. A blatant bit of racial stereotyping in a thread about Political Correctness?

Jesus.

[KalamityKel]

I get more fed up when ppl insist you must be from a diff country just by ur appearence... Too many times am I told I must either be from Sweden, Germany or Ireland :| Not that there's anything wrong with being from any of these countries of course but noooo I'm English! :)

[paragon]

Come on Guys - lets give *Bob* a break. He was probably weaned on Love thy Neighbour after all.

[mockney piers]

*bob* I think I must have sort of nationality-chimeric quality, as (european) people tend to assume I'm from their country.

I've had "are you sure you're not x?" from Germans, French, Italians, English, Spanish, Israelis....

The only time people get confused is when I tell them my Mum's West Indian.

...and come on lighten up people, a bit of obvious outrage among people who know each other in a thread about political correctness.... if we can't poke fun at attitudes we couldn't have stuff like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4tEEntsTgE

[lozzyloz]

Although I'm born in London I'm of very mixed parentage (Euro/Chinese/Asian) and have grown up on the receiving end of remarks like the one *Bob* made. Call it irony if you like, but no matter how I try and shrug off comments like that it still hits a nerve, though the feeling lessens with age (can't be bothered anymore). One mans irony is another mans insult. I'm sure it was a joke and I'm sure *Bob* meant no offence but if it misfires then perhaps just say sorry and move on. Simple really.

[TillieTrotter]

Hear Hear Mockers. People are getting abit too sensitive. *BOB* was just being *BOB*, funny, ironic old *BOB*.

[*Bob*]

I know what it is now. I forgot to add the emoticon. I don't tend to use them, as they're really for children, but just for everyone who's been so terribly offended, here's that line again. Don't forget the context of the thread, yeah?

Kebab and chips, please. Ta.;-)

[KalamityKel]

emotions r really for children? Wow Bob ur really here to make friends this morn! :p

[LizzygotDizzy]

TillieTrotter Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Hear Hear Mockers. People are getting abit too

> sensitive. *BOB* was just being *BOB*, funny,

> ironic old *BOB*.

Oh, so that's alright then! he's just being *BOB*? things do touch nerves, and no matter how you dress it up, people who are non-white, will get defensive and stick up for the likes of Atila.

One thing does strike me though,had it not been *BOB* and some new poster other than *BOB*, I feel I would still be hearing the outcries and screeches from "the gang" as I type!

[Jah Lush]

Yeah thanks *Bob* I got it first time around and I still think it's an insensitive comment. You might call it irony but I don't see any ironing be done.

[*Bob*]

lozzyloz Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

One mans irony is another mans insult.

Only if you don't get it.

I expect this explains why 'Brass Eye' got so many complaints.

[lozzyloz]

Yes but the point is You didn't mean to upset somebody did you?

I have a very dry SOH and often offend people unintentionally. I end up eating humble pie and just noting in my head not to go there again with that particular person.

Now I could call you a Black Bastard because of your origin which might be funny between you and me but not others. And if I did and caused offence I'd apologise.

edited for spelling

[TillieTrotter]

Lizzy, it gets too much when people take offence at everything. Blimey, if I was to take offence at everything aimed at thick, big busted, blonde South East Londoners, my blood pressure would be through the roof. I think we need to be abit less sensitive to things IMO.

[mockney piers]

It's not about being cliquey, its about having spoken to each other we:

a) hopefully have an idea about each others limits and

b) hopefully get on well enough that you can be a bit outrageous to each other.

Good friends often call me Pedro, by I wouldn't be happy if some total stranger thought it ok to do so.

So I'm with you that if it had been a new poster hot on the heels of 'too many middle classes/kids in pubs/is there a golf driving range' post who thought it ok to say something near to the knuckle I would be raising my voice in defence.

or shorter version, basically what Lozzy and Tillie said.

[lozzyloz]

Tillie I think its more about respecting other peoples sensitivities not imposing our standards. I get called many racial names as a nickname by friends and it doesn't bother me. If it was a stranger I'd flatten them.