To think this sign is racist?

[Devendra]

Ok I might be but along a busy main road near the city I live in is a large sign adverising a taxi firm. It is on the background of St georges flag and states.. *** Taxis 100% English and proud.
I have driven past it a few times and it makes me feel uncomfortable. I chatted to a friend who had also noticed it and she said the same... what do you think?

[DuelingFanjo]

it depends really on why they chose to advertise themselves like that. Are they saying that they are 100% English compared to other taxi companies in the town for example?

The sign itself is not racist IMO but the intent behind it may be.

You can sell beer and say it's 100% Welsh (just an example of what might happen) and it not be racist.

[scurryfunge]

Does that mean if you applied for a job at that taxi firm and you were not English, you would not be employed?

[Wonderstuff]

Not sure really pronouncing yourself English is not the same as being racist is it.
I think the whole World Cup flag waving has gone mad this year - our village is completely decked out in George Cross flags - some even have England helpfully written on them, should we forget where we are?

[Psammead]

How can a Taxi be 100% English? Does it complain to other taxis about the weather and say sorry if another car bumps it?

Joking aside though, I would say that's a bit racist. Or does it mean that 100% of the Taxi drivers speak English? Or that the Taxis are all English cars?

[Devendra]

Well thats what I wondered scurryfunge..I think I will call them up and ask them. Duelingfanjo... how could they know they were 100% english compared to other taxi firms? and if they are advertising the fact that all the employees are english then surely thats not on as it implies that being 100% english is better than not!
I am going to call them!

[Wonderstuff]

Are they only driving Rovers?

[HerBeatitude]

No, it's not automatically racist.

You'd have to look at the demographic make up of its employees and its EO policies to be sure though...

It may be just referring to the football sympathies of its employees as opposed to their nationality/ ethnicity...

[Vallhala]

Depends. If the other local taxi firms are run by/largely employ people who are not English then I'd agree. If it's just proclaiming patriotism, then I think that's great. I too am 100% English and proud (well, as English as anyone can be, given our ancestral backgrounds!). Likewise a close friend of mine is Welsh born and Black, and is doubly proud, both of being Welsh and of being from a St Kitts background - and so she should be.

What's your opinion? Are you in an area where other cab firms are not broadly English-owned?

[colditz]

It's not remotely racist. if you're English, you're English. It doesn't matter what race you come from. Some of the most patriotically English people I know have Grandparents who were born in Pakistan.

Xenophobic, maybe.

[justsue]

I think at the moment because the World Cup is on people are obviously supporting England. As we a multi cultral society it may be offending people if others are flying flags, showing they support England etc.

[ninah]

phone up and say je voudrais un taxi sil vous plait, maintenant

[Devendra]

I just called thm and the guy who answered had no idea what I was talking about. Suggests I call in the morning to ask the boss. I shall do so and hopefully it will be an inoccent support of the football and not anything sinister.. thanks for your opinions.

[justsue]

I truly do not mean this to be offensive but when in Rome etc

[qwertpoiuy]

Could it mean the cars are built in England, and that all the equipment is British made and not imported - Like our 'guaranteed Irish' logo in Ireland, which we are encouraged to look out for when buying goods to try and keep jobs in Ireland.

[justsue]

When I go to Spain for example they could advertise "Spanish speaking drivers" I am in Spain what am I meant to do demand that they speak English.

Again we are a multi society and have to accept different languages etc and yes have to accept that taxi firms advertise 100% English. Would there be a problem if the firm was advertising 100% French NO I dont think so

[mayorquimby]

how do you feel about taxi firms which advertise women drivers (not sure if you have them but in Dublin there is one)

[bigstripeytiger]

The English arent a race, so not automatically racist IMO.

[squashimodo]

I think there is a hint of racism to it. Why the need to call it 100% English, when it is in England? What sets it apart from other taxi firms in England?

[justsue]

hang on whilst in Rome, so whilst in England ugh, dont matter what colour religion etc

[justsue]

yeah what howlowl said

[moondog]

Oh FGS Devendra.
Get a bloody grip.

[justsue]

Devendra you live in the UK i assume why would you not support our team

[bigstripeytiger]

Though the UK is not exactly the same thing as England.

[flibbertigibbert]

YANBU, clearly the thinking behind it is that all foreign taxi drivers are rapists and muggers , so it's great that all of our drivers are English, not sleazy foreign men.

I read another forum on which a woman said she would never get into a taxi driven by an Asian driver after one had threatened her. Stupid logic. Every time I've been a victim of crime a white person was the perpetrator, but I still go out with one.