I don't mean to be rude, but?

Question

English are called poms, Scottish- Jocks/ Scotch, British- Brits,
Americans-yanks etc and get on with it. Why are they acceptable and others which I wont say for fear of being called racist are classed as racist. No offence anybody

Sluttteee how racist are you or am I not aloud to say that?
For future reference, I am married to A Scot my father was Welsh my Grandfather was Irish and I have many friends from all over the world.

Answer 1

None Taken
I agree!

Answer 2

Some words are worst then others and it's all about minding your manners as some people may be more sensitive then others, it all depends on the person.
I'm Welsh through and through, i love my country but i know some English people who i can joke around with and get along with (Not many!) but my Sister has a friend who all she talks about is how the English gave the Welsh something so brilliant, apparently they brought civillsation to Wales and me and my Welsh friend object we think they just stole and took away our language and culture and we would have caught up sooner or later anyway.
So you get people who take History more seriously or less seriously. And although i bear in mind my culture you can't blame an individual for a governments mistakes. But when people, like my Sisters friend, think you owe them then it becomes Racist and vile.
But names are either used affectionately or nasty. It's up to the person, i'm called some names by my friend, i'm a classic blonde, and it's all affectionate so i don't mind. But some names should be stopped because it's something children grow up with and then they are nasty, it promotes violence.

Answer 3

First of all, I also mean NO OFFENCE by saying this, I'm just handing out facts...

Brits are called Limeys by the Americans, as the Royal Navy drank a lot of lime juice to prevent Scurvy.
Americans are known as Spams or septics (far too offensive to be explained here... sorry)
I personally NEVER use these names, but I know many who do. I can see why these are so offensive. They are very insulting.

The way I see it, they're fine in mindless banter. The Americans make fun of us as much as we make fun of them. when it is used in a nasty way it is totally uncalled for.
You're right though, in this day and age of suing the pants off of anyone who gives you a dirty look, you have to be VERY careful as to what you say and do.

Again, no offence to anybody, I love every Country that is part of Great Britain, and also the United States (I have friends from all of these places)
Oh, BTW, you forgot to mention the Irish/Paddies or the Welsh
;-P

Answer 4

I don't think you are rude - you asked a question that is already in my lips.We are all finding it difficult to differentiate a racist word and a mere joke.
This political correctness is getting too far ,Britain will soon become the most boring country in the world because people are now scared to speak up or make a joke with somebody from a different ethnic group.
The reason why we all came to this country is because this the most tolerant,bubbling,safer and welcoming country in the world,but this issue of racism and religious crap is tearing this country apart.
It is vital to protect the minority groups and it is extremely important to protect the majority as well as protecting the values and culture of the people

Answer 5

It's not the word so much as the connotation attached to the word. The 'n' word for example was used for slaves so the connotation attached to that word is that they are inferior.

Having said that, people play the race card way too much these days.

Hey, sluttteee, you silly Scotch jock. Now where on earth do we get the idea from that the Scotch are violent and nasty? Hmmm, I wonder. I'd love to take you up on your offer. I'd **** you into next week, love. Unfortunately, I don't venture north of the border. I might catch rabies.

Answer 6

I've been saying the same thing for sometime .. I'm a Brit and proud.

When my black friends see me sunbathing and make comments about fetching the BBQ sauce, I don't take offence, I just laugh and take it with the good humour with which it is said.

Try seeing how many differant ways you can say 'Hello' .. It can go from being a happy hello, to a sacastic hello, to an angry hello just by changing the tone of your voice, its not so much what is said, as the way its said.

Answer 7

The problem arises because nicknames like those you use in your question are just that, nicknames and used with fond intent. Whilst others, such as w*g, n*gger, n*p (not sure the asterisks help, but don't want to offend) etc have been used as derogatory or abusive terms and are therefore unacceptable - it isn't the same thing. Just because a group of people have a different name to their full one, it doesn't mean they are always OK to use, you have to look at the intent behind the name being used.

Hope that makes sense.

Answer 8

I think at the end of the day it should be the tone used when saying any of these words. A friend of mine is black (not sure whether that is even acceptable but that is what he calls himself) He greets me by saying whats up my ******? and I reply doin justfine my friend. Now since I am white should I be offended?
As long as its in a non offencive tone who cares? When these words are being said as a slur that's when people should be allowed to be upset!

Answer 9

I think that some people just dont have a sense of humour sometimes, but in some cases if it is said in a derogatory manner than it can be offensive. Im from Australia and have been called a colonial pig, refering to our convict ancestors. But dont bother me because I think I live in the best country in the world.

Answer 10

I don't let those things bother me. I live in the South in the USA and we get called all kinds of things from redneck to stupid to trailer trash and I know better so I don't take offense to it. I am Italian with a Dutch adoptive Father and last name. You can only imagine the things people say about this mix. I think sometimes we are all a bit too sensitive.

Answer 11

I think the main problem with using certain terms is that maybe we don't understand the meaning of what we are saying sometimes for example people seem to think its okay to call me taffy because i'm welsh!! i don't speak welsh and have no idea what it means. i wouldn't use generalisations like that because i know it annoys me, but not everyones like me and i suppose it just depends on how sensative you are? and by the way no offence taken x