Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
9 October 2009
06:0630001I see the national debate and hoo-haw on the word Paki has kicked off again...this time on the ever so hot and sweaty but awfully nice Strictly Come Dancing. One of the dancers whos name escapes me for the moment but which I will conjure up later, called his dark skinned partner a Paki. It seems he meant it good naturedly, and used the term when she emerged fully made up to take part with an extra layer of home inflicted tan.
'Jeez you look like a Paki' exclaimed the guy in all relative innocence. His partner dod not take it well and stormed off to sulk and whimper in the shadows...and of course this incident has caused a wide hue and cry...so much so that even oul Bruce Forsyth has been drawn into it on the BBC News and indeed it was featured on Question Time last night.
Of course anyone who has lived and worked in the streets of London will know full well that in the pubs along Old Holborn, in the pubs of the Inns of Chancery, in the drinking dens of old Fleet Street and so on...the word is as common as the proverbial 'pint of bitter' on anyone's lips. At least it used to be in my days up there. As oul Bruce Forsyth has said, we all had nick names based on where we came from and we were all used to it. As these stars all operate and work in London surely they must have heard it before.
But somehow between those times mentioned and now, the tectonic plates of society have shifted, and now that word represents the ultimate horror of all horrors. Its right up there with that other horror 'n*gger' so must henceforth never be used. But when all this changed I dont know. These tectonic plates are a funny old thing...the shift when you least expect it, and almost always when you are not ready for it, and can certainly drop you in it.
9 October 2009
07:4730004Would it be insensitive to suggest a potential tsunami of approbation?
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
9 October 2009
07:5230007I certainly wouldn't put it on the same level as nigger PaulB - in America (maybe here too) many black people have adopted that word for themselves and call each other it.
I would put Paki on the same level as Ozzie, Taffie, Jock, Kiwi, Pom etc.
I have a friend who comes from Malaysia and another from Cyprus and naturally their skin colour is slightely darker than mine; when they've been on holiday, they look like a - what do you think ? a kiwi, a Jock, or perhaps an Ozzie ? no, they look like a....... no I won't say it because some PC idiot will call me racist.
Roger
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
9 October 2009
07:5730008My wifes nationals get called 'flipflops' = Filipina and if you visit Thailand you are referred to as a 'felang'=foreigner.
It really is only here and the US where we appear over sensitive.
Indians have a caste system and one of their caste are referred to as untouchables. A far worse label than simply abbreviating the countrys name from Pakistan.
I'm a Polak and PaulB is anything from a Mick to a Paddy. However all that said we are adults and are able to rationalise such behaviour and terms.Youngsters can't so it's important that we set a good example and those on TV being beamed into millions of homes should be far more careful when using such terms that can and will be misinterpreted.
Marek the Polak
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
9 October 2009
08:1130013Marek, I have been called much worse than a Mick or a Paddy. I can cope!!!
Actually, the term flipflops sounds rather sweet. Sometimes to reclaim those names is the most senisbile option. I saw an article on one of the evening TV news progs last night (don't know which, only ever have half an eye on the TV, don't like it much!) and it was about the sale of Nazi memorabilia, whether it was right, wrong, offensive, whatever. I am personally horribly offended by Nazi stuff, but I don't see why the sales should be banned - they are historic items, whatever the motive for collection. Banning stuff gives it power: one of the guys made the very very valid point that laughing at and about things reduces their mpower. Mel brooks showed this beautifully with the producers and Springtime for Hitler. I cried with laughter!! I nearly bought a copy of Mein Kampf in one of the charity shops a while back, just to read it out of interest. It wouldn't have made me a nazi, but it would have allowed me to see for myself what was thought and written then.
Bern the Mick
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
9 October 2009
08:2330015
Recently I attended an auction on the island where some swastika armbands from the waffen ss together with a very poignant waterclour painting of an injured german soldier were up for grabs.They were purchased by a young German lad (23-27yrs) who had travelled to island for the auction.Not sure what this means but thought I would post it anyway. What was interesting is the auctioneer described them exactly for what they were but when it came to a set of enamel Robertsons Jam Golliwogs he struggled to to describe them for fear of upsetting anyone. A kind elderly lady in the crowd lent him a helping hand.
"say what you see" said Roy Walker on Catchphrase.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
9 October 2009
12:5030028it just seems odd to me with all the problems we have in the uk with public drunkenness, drug taking, crime, anti social behaviour and the the possibility of terrorism, that a word said off the cuff could cause such headlines.
on newsnight yesterday we had kelvin mackenzie, former editor of the offensive sun newspaper demanding the head of the chap that had used the word, and a young person with a pakistani name saying that everything was out of perspective.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
9 October 2009
13:3430035I always take the view that if some one is offended by the comments, then maybe thats a good reason not to do it?
The lady on come dancing obviously was offended as she walked off, and where can these comments lead
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
9 October 2009
13:3830036The problem is Keith that too many people are too easily offended and need a sense of humour and perspective. They also make too much of it and need to get a backbone.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
9 October 2009
13:5430038BARRYW
You won't be surprized to read I don't agree with you
9 October 2009
18:4330068BarryW , however, be surprised given all our correspondence here , that I do agree with you. Paddies and Micks, Niggers and Wops, Dagos and Yanks have smiled, made jokes, and charmed their way through the patches of discrimination and violence. It is never ok to abuse or bully, or to offend, but hey, sometimess we are offended. we don't die because of it, usually, we say "Iam offended because...." and we move on. If we are clever we also smile, make a joke, give our business card and make the most of it.
Guest 667- Registered: 6 Apr 2008
- Posts: 919
9 October 2009
20:4230084What is the difference between an Aussie a Kiwi and a person from Pakistan (must not say the other word in jest)
An Aussie and a Kiwi are proud to be called an Aussie or a Kiwi.
9 October 2009
20:5230086I don't particularly like being known as an "infidel" by certain members of society but hey ho, there we go. I remember a time when the golden rule was that nobody has the right not to be offended. How times change eh?
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
9 October 2009
21:2330087I like the old saying Rick, sticks and stones.....
Guest 672- Registered: 3 Jun 2008
- Posts: 2,119
9 October 2009
21:5330090Going back to post 3.
When I first moved to Dover I was refered to as a Linconshire poacher by my wifes Uncle. (I come from Yorkshire) Iv'e been called it to this very day and don't mind a bit.
To call a Yorkshireman a TYKE many many years ago was very offensive and got many people on their way to the cemetary.
Today it's just the opposite and I have been called it once or twice. I don't mind, it makes me smile.
What the hell is wrong with people these days?
grass grows by the inches but dies by the feet.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
10 October 2009
07:1930103Exactly Ian.
We've lost (or perhaps that should read most people have) our power to laugh at ourselves and become too easily offended. Once upon a time "piss off" would suffice.
Roger
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
10 October 2009
07:3530106roger,im sure gorden ramsys f word would be more apropiet.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
10 October 2009
07:4430110Probably Brian, but we're trying to move away from the really naughty words.
Roger
10 October 2009
08:0330117Naughtiest word in the universe to me is Poverty. Words are just words, not good or bad. It's context and intent that matter.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
10 October 2009
19:2730149the naughtiest words are politicaly correct,causes so much upset pyhisicly and menterly.
