Courtesy and Interest or Politically Incorrect?

[*Bob*]

If I have to think of the (white) South African stereotype that I've heard most often, it's 'arrogance'.

Have you had that one, Brendan?

If so.. why? Is it mistaking confidence for arrogance?

[Brendan]

That is true to a point Lozzyloz. Although I would say the problem is more to do with a naive type of tribalism (across the various racial/national/liguistic divides) rather than the pure narrow-minded distaste for other races that I encounter in some people from Europe. I still don?t think that the stereotype that South Africans are racist is in any way justified.

[*Bob*]

atila the gooner Wrote:

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

So it's

> ok for me to say that all English men are beer

> swilling, footballing loving, hooligans that have

> a very bad dress sense, who eat crap food, are

> lousy lovers, read the Sun, wear Union Jack shorts

> on holiday, shout at foreign waiters on holiday,

> and in restaurants because they can't speak

> English, and who love their dogs more than their

> wives/children.

So you've been to Tenerife too? Where did you stay?

Seriously Atila, you really have got the wrong end of the wrong stick, for which I sorry. But good luck with the football.

[Brendan]

*Bob* Wrote:

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

> If I have to think of the (white) South African

> stereotype that I've heard most often, it's

> 'arrogance'.

> Have you had that one, Brendan?

> If so.. why? Is it mistaking confidence for

> arrogance?

No *Bob* the arrogance thing is just a result of being good at everything. South Africans of all races have it.

[LizzygotDizzy]

SeanMacGabhann Wrote:

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

> >

> What else have we learned today?

>

> a) typing the asterisks around *Bob* is a pain in

> the arse

> b) Lizzy - you have a real bee in your bonnet

> about "the gang" don't you?

I have a bee in my bonnet because no matter what the topic/thread, whether it is right or wrong, you back eachother even when it is blatantly wrong, or if someone else outside "the gang" offers up an opinion to differ that of the posters, not only do they get the original poster attacking them, all their "mates" back them too, all because you meet up for a piss up once in a blue moon and are friends! sorry, did I get that one wrong! and woe betide anyone for disagreeing with you.

Have seen it on numerous occasions and happening to many other "newbie" posters

[*Bob*]

Brendan Wrote:

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

> No *Bob* the arrogance thing is just a result of

> being good at everything. South Africans of all

> races have it.

Oooh.. you arrogant swine!

[mockney piers]

I think you've got the wrong end of the stick there Lizzy......or am I only saying that because you're not one of the gang?

;-P

[*Bob*]

Believe me, Lizzy, you wouldn't catch me drinking with those c**ts.

(;-))

[LizzygotDizzy]

I'm just saying that if it had been anyone else posting these comments and not friends, you would have collectively had their guts for garters.

[LizzygotDizzy]

And yes I do think you are all really funny too and this is an incredibly addictive forum, ;-)but still....

[lozzyloz]

It's not because we're c**ts, its because you have very bad dress sense, eat crap food, are a lousy lover, read the Sun and wear Union Jack shorts.

[georgia]

The 'piss up once in a blue moon', ie: the Forum monthly drinks, is open to all....

[Brendan]

Doesn't SE London have a big enough gang problem already?

Now you can all role your trouser legs down. You look silly.

[lozzyloz]

... and gangsters who can't get into the Plough.

[*Bob*]

Incidentally, I just spotted that, earlier in the thread, ALAN (your favourite poster in the irony stakes, Lozzy) - got away with THIS.

Alan Dale Wrote:

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

> So Marmora Man fancies his dentist eh?

> With chat up lines like "may I ask where you are

> from?" then I don't really rate his chances.

> Unless she needs a passport that is..

But then I suppose this explains why he's Number One, and I'm a xenophobic moron.

[Domitianus]

Cassius Wrote:

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

> I used to work for a private caterers and we did a

> function which Princess Anne attended. She asked

> the chef (of Chinese origin) where he came from

> and he said 'Brighton'. So if it's good enough

> for Princess Anne..........

One must assume that if the Royal involved had been Prince Phillip his reply would have been "Brighton? So you're a bum-boy then, eh?"

And before we start getting overly PC, let's not try to delete this post on the grounds of homophobia, as I am clearly ridiculing homophobic sentiment and any form of intolerance by our glorious inbred, Kraut/Greek chinless wonders!

[lozzyloz]

Obviously his was better irony!

Seriously though, I personally don't have an issue with either comment but I think you've already worked out the difference. Alan refers to a third party who, had they read it, might've found it funny or offensive. Unfortunately your post wasn't well received by the ironic recipient.

[Domitianus]

lozzyloz Wrote:

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

> Obviously his was better irony!

> Seriously though, I personally don't have an issue

> with either comment but I think you've already

> worked out the difference. Alan refers to a third

> party who, had they read it, might've found it

> funny or offensive. Unfortunately your post wasn't

> well received by the ironic recipient.

Ironic recipient!?!! There is something strangely majestic about that phrase, barren as it is of grammatical form.

[SeanMacGabhann]

Obviously, Lizzy, I'm going to disagree with that allegation. It's nicely vague so there is no way of disproving it

First of all we need to define who the gang is - I can name those who come to the monthly drinks but I can 100% guarantee that I don't agree with any of them all the time

When you have defined who the gang is according to you, the challenge then is - either:

a) use examples from the past to back up your argument (and remember if I can find examples showing the opposite it kind of disproves your point)

b) call me on it if I do it in the future

I note also that you were very quick to ally yourself with someone who agreed with you on a point in the last couple of weeks - does that mean another "gang" is forming? Nah - it's just human nature. I quite often refer to someones previous post if they have made a good point. And clearly there are people on here I agree with far more than others. Doesn't mean I've met them. Never met *Bob* (who I'm defending today) in my life for example... wouldn't know him from Adam. But to the extent that he has been cut some slack "just because" he is not a newbie? Well, he has a history of posts which allow those of us who don't know him to be able to judge what kind of character he is. If he posted the same comment, as the same name but as a newbie then yes I would agree he wouldn't be given such an easy ride by me - why would ANYONE make their first post about calling somene a kebab-shop owner?

Surely you can see the difference?

[*Bob*]

Thank god there weren't any eastern-European dental assistants reading - or Alan would have been in the Sin Bin along with yours truly.

I thought Atila would be ok. I remember he even mentioned 'The Water Margin' once and I remember thinking 'That bloke must be alright'. But now he hates me. The motto is: "Don't make assumptions about people just because they like The Water Margin".

[lozzyloz]

My ex wife was an Iranian and she didn't have a passport either (here under political asylum). Pain in the arse at every border crossing as they examined her travel document and checked her mugshot on the wanted sheet. Actually,come to think of it, she didn't have a sense of humour either.

[Jah Lush]

Don't worry about it *Bob*, Atila hates me too but I could understand why he was so sensitive to your original comment.

[atila the gooner]

Jah Lush Wrote:

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

> Don't worry about it *Bob*, Atila hates me too but

> I could understand why he was so sensitive to your

> original comment.

Jah, I can assure you I don't hate you at all, far from it. We have disagreements sure, but I don't dislike you, I've never even met you so how could I hate you. From your postings you seem like a decent bloke with good taste in music if not in football. ;-)

[Michael Palaeologus]

Inevitably there is a core group of people who know each other well, either because they have been on the Forum longest and/or they take part in the publically advertised Forum social events. Those newer people that attend the social events find them inclusive and welcoming e.g the very new people came to the curry club a few days ago and had good time - see the thread. Once people know each other and have a mutual understanding it is not surprising that they provide mutual support. There have been two occasions recently when members that I know have been unfairly criticised by people who simply do not know them, I defended my friends; whats wrong with that?

The "Gang" are simply those people that have taken the time to get to know each other, the "Gang" is constantly growing in size. Take some time and get to know people, if you wish to do so.

Of course there are people who chose to be outside the core group because this allows them to toss the occasional grenade just to create an explosion. Thats fine, just dont whinge when you get grenades thrown back

[SeanMacGabhann]

As an Arsenal fan and Bowie freak, Atila will always have a place in my heart - even when he's wrong.....