[_Audrey]

Originally posted by Lauren

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.

Good point about the taboo thing.

[Nurse57]

I was a bit slow there. Girth beat me to it.

[GiRTh]

No we don't laugh about it, we barely even notice. He fit in before the sign went up.

Are you saying he has the word in the title of this shop? Thats not good either.

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?

Its a word that is used as a racist slur. I have no problem giving it taboo status. Why do people always defend their right to use the word instead of understanding why its in their best inteerest not to use the word. Why always look at it that way? I dont get that.

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.

Thats not good either for reason I've already explained. Why use the word at all? Why not say Pakistani or Asian? Why risk causing a situation then attempt to justify it by claiming your right to use the word. Baffling.

[Lauren]

Originally posted by Nurse57
Now I don't know the shop keeper in question so I may be talking ****. 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?

Actually, yes - he's a good family friend. Which is why I counteracted GiRTH saying he is doing it to fit in. We often discuss things like that.

[Lauren]

Originally posted by GiRTh
Its a word that is used as a racist slur.

Never in my entire life have I used that word in a context where it was a racist slur.

[_Audrey]

Is everyone just avoiding what I said about being called a jock?

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by _Audrey
Is everyone just avoiding what I said about being called a jock?

I dont use the word so what was your point?

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by Lauren

Never in my entire life have I used that word in a context where it was a racist slur.

Well done for that but thats not good enough. You know what the word means why do you use it?

[Nurse57]

Lauren, you say you don't laugh about the sign thing. but your very first post on the shop with the sign was this.

My local shop is owned by a Pakistani family, and he put a joke sign above the door saying "**** Shop"

Note the laughing smiley. This was followed by _Audrey saying Ha ha ha, I think. So I would suggest that some would find it funny including yourself.

Fair enough on you asking him about the sign.

[_Audrey]

Originally posted by GiRTh

I dont use the word so what was your point?

My point was that you can't just eradicate all potentially offensive words because some people take offence to them. I don't find the word 'jock' offensive but another person might. Even though it's a totally different word, and not just a shortened vesion such as "Scot".

[~Kizwiz~]

I have never and will use the word because of its connotation with the way that some people use the term in a very derogatory way.

[Nurse57]

Likewise, I don't say jock. Do you find jock offensive _Audrey?

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by _Audrey
My point was that you can't just eradicate all potentially offensive words because some people take offence to them. I don't find the word 'jock' offensive but another person might. Even though it's a totally different word, and not just a shortened vesion such as "Scot".

Its not a case of SOME people taking offence, '****' a very offensive word to use in certain situtations. As I've said a few times why do people always try to defend their right to use words like that rather than understand why its in their best interest not to use words like that.

[Nurse57]

Using your Jock is just a bastardisation of another word argument you are saying it is ok to say "******" as that is just a bastardisation if the word Negro. Negro is Portuguese for the word black. Nothing to do with race. I am sure you would agree that is silly. I see no difference in the words "****** and "****" and there racial connotations.

[_Audrey]

Originally posted by Nurse57
Likewise, I don't say jock. Do you find jock offensive _Audrey?

Personally, no. But I understand some people might, just like I understand some people get offended by "****" and others don't.

[Nurse57]

Why might they find jock offensive?

[_Audrey]

Because it's stereotypical.

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by _Audrey
Because it's stereotypical.

But you personally dont find it offensive.

I note you admit words like '****' are offensive. Thats good to see.

[_Audrey]

Originally posted by GiRTh

But you personally dont find it offensive.

I note you admit words like '****' are offensive. Thats good to see.

No, just as some pakistani people don't find '****' offensive.

[Lauren]

Originally posted by GiRTh

I note you admit words like '****' are offensive. Thats good to see.

If used in an insulting/aggressive manner, or used for someone who is not Pakistani.

I don't see what is offensive about using it as a short term for Pakistani, to someone who is not offended by it.

[_Audrey]

Originally posted by Lauren

If used in an insulting/aggressive manner, or used for someone who is not Pakistani.

I don't see what is offensive about using it as a short term for Pakistani, to someone who is not offended by it.

Agreed.

[GiRTh]

Audrey, So if some people of that demographic dont find it offensive then its OK. So you think its OK to call someone a **** if they dont find it offensive but what if the person standing next to them finds it offensive. What do you do? Once again you're simply defending your right to use the word. Why is using this word so important? Or is it as Ruth put it, you're simply defending your right to be offensive to whomever you want?

Lauren, are you kidding? How do you justify using the word '****' as a short version of Pakistani. According to dictionary.com "Used as a disparaging term for a person from Pakistan or neighboring countries or for the descendant of such a person." Given that why are you bothering with this word? Is it so you can also defend your right to use the word.

[_Audrey]

Originally posted by GiRTh
Audrey, So if some people of that demographic doesnt find it offensive then its OK. So you think its OK to call someone a pa** of they dont find it offensive but what if the person standing next to them finds it offensive. What do you do? Once again you're simply defending your right to use the word. Why is using this word so important? Or is it as Ruth put it, you're simply defending your right to be offensive to whomever you want?

I'm defending my right to use it, yeah, because this is a debate. It's not important that I use the word but I feel strongly about defending myself when people are branding me a racist.

[Lauren]

Originally posted by GiRTh

Lauren, are you kidding? How do you justify using the word '****' as a short version of Pakistani. According to dictionary.com "Used as a disparaging term for a person from Pakistan or neighboring countries or for the descendant of such a person." Given that why are you bothering with this word? Is it so you can also defend your right to use the word.

Had you read my contribution to the thread, you'd see I don't use the word. So don't be so quick to jump down my throat in the future.

I was stating that there are certain situations where I feel the word wouldn't be offensive, or insulting like everyone makes out - but on the whole it's best not to take chances on using it to describe someone's creed.

[GiRTh]

Had you read my contribution to the thread, you'd see I don't use the word. So don't be so quick to jump down my throat in the future.

How exactly have I jumped down your throat? This looks like a fair and frank discussion to me, whos jumping down throats?

I was stating that there are certain situations where I feel the word wouldn't be offensive, or insulting like everyone makes out - but on the whole it's best not to take chances on using it to describe someone's creed.

So let me get this straight - Even though you know full well that the word may be interpretted as offensive, you still think it's OK to use it in maybe one in a thousand situations. I say why bother.