I asked a question and used the word "coolie" but everyone was getting rude and I didn't understand why. I know now in the word "coolie" in the US it is a Derogatory word but in the UK and Caribbean it isn't. I just wanted to say to all those that insulted me can p*ss off; cause how am I a person that lives in the UK know the word is derogatory. I feel some ppl have forgotten manners and could of explained it to me because I also said I lived in the UK. Do you agree that some ppl that answer some of the questions are just to rude and should try to have understanding with ppl that don't get another culture because they are young and lack experience like me. It was a misunderstanding and I was angry with the ppl that answered my question because I didn't deserve that abuse and I didn't understand the hostility. Who agrees!
2006-09-28 08:49:33 · 12 answers · asked by qwerty 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I agree with you whole heatedly! Now you got me curious, I live in the States and I have never heard of "coolie" before. So what have you found out that it meant?
2006-09-28 09:00:36 · answer #1 · answered by mageta8 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So that means that if someone from Japan called a Black person a N*gger, it would be OK, since they're not from the US? You seem to have forgotten that when you're in another country, you should be try to be undsertanding about their culture. You can't expect people in different countries to know what "coolie" means in the UK.
P.S.: Don't refer to cigarettes as "faggots," as we Yankees take that to be a derogatory term for homosexuals.
2006-09-28 08:55:31 · answer #2 · answered by Dee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that you shouldn´t take it too seriously:you live and learn, and you never intended to offend anyone. It´s a fair bet that if you post anything here someone or other will find reason to be offended.
But you are mistaken: the word "coolie" is indeed derogatory in the UK.
2006-09-28 08:55:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree. It is true that some words, mean different things to people from different backgrounds but that does not mean that people should be rude. I don't know exactly what the word means, but in my religion a coolie would be a person who woks for people, is carrying there luggage.
2006-09-28 08:53:59 · answer #4 · answered by haha 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a little used term in the UK and has a pleasant sound. But if it is known to offend, hten it should be avoided. POlitical correctness in the UK means terms like 'having an epi' are unacceptable- rightly so. However, recently, some are saying the term 'brainstorm' is offensive'. I don't understand this- but some think it would offend epilleptics.
2006-09-28 08:59:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the word 'coolie' refers to the chinese who carried water to the workers building the US rail network, not offensive. Coolie, to cool off with a drink of water.
2006-09-28 08:58:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
oh yes, I guess coolie comes from the degenerating use of a servant ( = slave) out of the Indies when the Brits were ruling there>
2006-09-28 08:58:02 · answer #7 · answered by bartdeboevere 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i thought coolie was a little brown slave in the orient what do you really care what others do with the word
2006-09-28 08:53:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't let the stupidity of a few give you a bad opinion of all people. I apoligize for them and hope you don't take it personally.
2006-09-28 08:59:30 · answer #9 · answered by BLADE 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you. But are 2 many from US who think that on Earth is a single country -US........
2006-09-28 08:52:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋