I offended a gentleman without meaning to, because I said that his suit reminded me of a "zoot suit" , and I did not even realize that could be racist. I was thinking of old speak easys and dancers doing the jive and stuff. Was I really out of line ?
2006-09-22 19:06:44 · 10 answers · asked by Ann T 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
No. You were NOT racist. It sounds like you were just making an harmless observation, which this person, for whatever reason, got a little uppity about. Moreover, even if it was a racist comment, so what? It's still a free country, ain't it? Just because an idea or opinion is deemed "racist", don't make it less true. I challenge the notion that racism is innately bad, and ignorant. I hope you told him to calm down and not get all uppity.
2006-09-22 19:35:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. White guys were wearing zoot suits during the "mod" era in the UK during the early 1960's. This style has come in and out of fashion, for whites, blacks, Latinos. Nobody owns it and it doesn't mean a damn thing.
You were paying someone a compliment about being a sharp dresser, and they not only lacked graciousness, but showed their stupidity. A shame--and too much of it happening these days.
Yes, people have the "right" to take offense--but it's hard to get along in the world when they're too ignorant to know which terms are insulting and which are complimentary. Yikes.
I say that we have a moratorium on getting all squeamish about any and all racial, ethnic, and religious terms. Let's classify everyone as either an a$$ hole, or NOT an a$$ hole and leave the tired old labels behind.
2006-09-23 02:27:00 · answer #2 · answered by Cluny Brown 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no, it's gotten to the point that people are so thin skinned that it's hard to say something without them being offended. I never try and offend anyone but if something as simple as zoot suit offends them, tough noogies.
by the way: zoot suit's were worn by many different races of people,including white's
2006-09-23 02:17:27 · answer #3 · answered by Robert 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
nah it was not racist because zoot suit were not only worn by a particular race so if he felt offended he should stop bein overly sensitive because everything and everyone will not be nice to you in life and that jazzy zoot suit comment was in no way shape or form harsh.
2006-09-23 02:16:42 · answer #4 · answered by King Davin 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no, it is not racist, zoot suits were a fashion statement of the Jazz age, and everyone who was cool wore them. All colors and races wore them
2006-09-23 03:26:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't be afraid to compliment someone, and don't let them make you feel like a heel for doing so...he obviously has some underlying grudge with the world that he doesn't know to graciously accept a compliment...
Keep on complimentin', my friend!
2006-09-23 02:15:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't see how it's racist, unless he was hispanic. An honest mistake.
2006-09-23 02:14:22 · answer #7 · answered by Answerer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
not at all as long as you didnt call it a pimp suit i wouldn't be offended
2006-09-23 02:15:05 · answer #8 · answered by ~>angiepangie<~ 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You cannot please everyone and you will offend most of them without even trying. Another person might even think you insulted him. Remember, you can't please everyone.
2006-09-23 02:11:14 · answer #9 · answered by cowboybronco01 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
2006-09-23 02:16:40 · answer #10 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋