That I doubt.

Just another quick one to the people who say "I am going to the **** shop" Why go to the effort of adding the extra word "****" Would "I am going to the shop" not do? If it was run by a white English person would you say "I am going to the brit shop"?

It's just a shortening of the longer word, it doesn't necessarily mean whoever uses it hates the entire race! Stuff like that can be done to loads of races or countries, e.g. 'brits' for example. Obviously since we're in Britain, it can't be used as an insult, but those who use the word as an insult are just ignorant. They're not tolerant of south Asians in general, since the word can be thrown around towards anyone in the Indian subcontinent really. The word doesn't have a history like the 'n' word though.

"The word doesn't have a history like the 'n' word though." try telling that to the African Asian population that came here in the early 70's after Idi Amin forced them out of Uganda.

I think the most telling question asked (for get who it was by) is would you call a Pakistani a "****" to their face. If not, way not?

Ok, just noticed that if you say **** with out " " then it gets censored. So sorry if I pulled anyone up on that that did not deserve it.

Absolutely. All those guys who say they're not offended by the word should be confident enough to say it anywhere. If you guys are not confident then why not?

It's just an expression.

And no, of course you wouldn't - we live in britain. That's like people who say "American English or British English" - you don't need to say "British English" because the language originated here.

Not a very nice expression is it? So why use it and also why so open about using it? Dont you think that shows a lack of sensitivity?

Ok, would you go to the frog shop if owned by a French person?

Maybe not to some people but each to their own. I'm not a racist and I wouldn't use it maliciously so no it doesn't show a lack of sensitivity - if I thought it would offend someone, I would steer clear of it, but if I'm in my own home or talking to someone I know that wouldn't mind then I might say "**** shop". Freedom of speech is being abolished by all this ridiculous politically correctness, it drives me mad :mad:

I think people are too quick to call it political correctness. The question is - Why use the word at all if it causes offense? Why not just not say '****'? Why size up who you are with and calculate the probability of them taking offence? That sounds more ridiculous than any amount of political correctness.

"but if I'm in my own home or talking to someone I know that wouldn't mind then I might say "**** shop" "

So what you are saying is you have the balls to be racist (imo) in your own home or in front of like minded people but not to stand by your beliefs and do it in public. If it is not racist as you say, then why not.

No it doesn't. If everyone totally abolished all words that might cause offense to someone, the English vocabulary would shrink a hell of a lot. It's not exactly difficult to work out whether someone would be offended, if it was that much of a time consumer then yeah I wouldn't say it. However, like I said - it's each to their own.

And to Nurse57 - it's not racist. I'm not gonna have a conversation with someone who just branded me a racist.

I tend to think that when people moan about freedom of speech being eradicated, what they often mean is that their freedom to make insensitive and nasty remarks is being taken away from them. With freedom of speech comes responsibility. Why not try and show some?

Interesting article

Obviously the PC brigade is on my heels here so I give up.

Hahahahaha. I'm not part of any 'PC Brigade'. Your remarks are typical of someone who doesn't want to be told when they are being rude or insensitive. Btw, freedom of speech does have some exceptions, you know. I posted an article about it in my last post.

No one was talking about abolishing words. Some words are more sensitive than others especially words that are used as racial epithets. Surely it would be more sensible to not use the word rather than use the word and then defend your right to use it when it finally gets you in trouble.

I'm not a racist..... but. Convince me you are not. You have just said

"It's not exactly difficult to work out whether someone would be offended" So you agree the word can be offensive, thus racist in this instant. So if you use it, no mater who it is in front of it is still the same offensive, racist word.

We all agree ****** is offensive, yes? Are you saying if you use it in your own home to describe black people it is no longer racist? That is the argument you have just given.

I know this is like a rare case... but my local shop actually calls himself the **** shop.

That is not progress Lauren. Not by a long way. We call that playing Uncle Tom. Its not good.

Elaborate.

He's saying it to fit in. Do you all laugh about it? There you go.

Racism is discrimination and prejudice because of someone's race. Treating them differently because of it. A racist hates people because of their race - I don't. Therefore I'm not a racist.

Yes I agree it can be offensive, but not to everyone. And like I also said, if every single potentially offensive word was eradicated, a lot of people would have to stop saying a lot of words. What about when people call me a jock because I'm Scottish?

We're not talking about the 'n' word - that is completely different. **** is a shortening of Pakistani, the 'n' word is a blatantly slanderous term.

No we don't laugh about it, we barely even notice. He fit in before the sign went up.
Also, you said why allude saying the word depending on whose company you are in - but surely cutting out the word alltogether gives it a taboo context?

Also, I am interested to know your views on saying the word as 'short' of Pakistani. To a Pakistani person, with no aggression behind it.

"but my local shop actually calls himself the pa** shop." And what has he done by doing that? He has done what some gays have done with "fag" and some black people have done with "******" They have taken the word back. They have cancelled the power you had on the word out. Now I don't know the shop keeper in question so I may be talking arse. But do you think he likes calling himself "****" or has he done it to fit in. If you can't beat them, join them. Have you ever thought about asking him about it?