To Object to my Colleague Harping on About Me Being British?

If your company has values, could you do an ethics or DEI moment in a team meeting using your Britishness as an example of how it can be divisive rather than inclusive to keep pointing out a protected characteristic such as race, colour, creed, etc etc
you are not being unreasonable. But in all honesty, if it makes you uncomfortable I would suggest you keep things light when having to interact with the guy for work and otherwise very much keep your distance.
don’t respond to any of the Teams messages. Only direct responses to actual work related questions or issues. Ignore anything else. Hopefully that will stop it. But, If he doesn’t stop, do politely let him know that you would prefer to integrate and not keep being involved in conversation about your Britishness.

I’m American living in New York and the word limey is such an uncommon word used here it’s not even funny. That’s is so untrue. It’s not even in an everyday vocabulary thing.

U.S. discrimination law prohibits employers from discriminating against employees or job applicants based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. These laws apply to all types of work situations, including hiring, firing, promotions, harassment, training, wages, and benefits.

National origin …& harassment are the key terms for OP.

I get this. I've lived in other countries where I felt like I was always having to justify living there. Always having to talk about it and explain it. It drove me nuts. I just wanted to buy some apples or take my child to swimming lessons without have to talk about why I lived there.

Can we please learn the difference between xenophobia and racism please.

Limey is a well known nickname for the English/British used by Americans.

When he does it and timing is right …. And with good eye contact
”colleague … you need to … tone it down … with the British slurs. It’s getting boring “.

…. then if he keeps doing it. “Colleague you are boring us, find a new topic”

and if he keeps going it … talk to manager … this guy is annoying, and would not do same thing if you were from China, Zambia or Cuba because it would be racist.

Report his behaviour to your manager or HR. I’m pretty sure they don’t accept workplace racism. Tell them you expect them to put a stop to it.

I’m Scottish but live in England and the type of people who just will not leave it alone, who copy my accent and make snide comments are not in short supply. In two previous workplaces it was constant. It’s not fun and it’s not cute banter. I am better at shutting it down these days.

My husband is English and works remotely for a US company. One coworker will keep imitating his accent over Teams and giggling, how he tolerates it I don’t know. Ridiculous as the coworker is a nasally, over-the-top transwoman and it must take zero self awareness to realise how intensely irritating that voice is, but that’s another story…🙄

I'm British and have never heard the term 'limey' before

I’ve lived in the US for over thirty years, and have been at my current job for fifteen. My colleagues still comment on my accent! Never been called a limey though.

Had similar being a person born and brought up in the north of England but lived in London now for over 30 years. Believe me, having someone continually imitate your accent every time you open your mouth in a meeting is not "friendly bantz". It's designed to silence and demean you.

Tell him to drop it every time he starts. If he still doesn't get it tell him to substitute "black " for British and to just play back to himself how that sounds.

If he persists have a word with your manager as that's deliberate bullying.

Ok.

🙄

Well, yes, I do think using the word 'racism' accurately is important, actually. Not sure why anyone would disagree with that?

No it’s ok.

You latch on to the important things…

In recent history? You have to stretch back to 1066….

(and ignores the history of racial oppression which is why P-ki is seen as so offensive in the UK.)

I'm sorry, would you rather people used racism to mean whatever they want it to mean?

Sorry, you don't think the British have ever been colonised? I'm assuming from your post that you are British, don't you know your own history?

That's embarrassing.

You’re not being unreasonable. Referencing someone’s race in that way shouldn’t happen. It’s definitely frowned upon in UK. Even with cultural differences, it would seem he knows he should not be saying things like that as he only does so privately.

She said he keeps raising the fact she is British, not English

Yes. I follow a podcast page on instagram - all British Asian guys (as in East Asian), with South London accents.

The Americans in the comments seem mind blown at the concept!

🙄