To not know if describing a person as coloured is politically incorrect.

[WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid]

Was talking to a friend today and I mentioned I had met one of his colleagues (but I wasn't sure who). He said. Oh was she a coloured lady?

I said yes and we each knew who it was I had met. I was a bit taken aback as you don't really hear the word coloured used anymore. But it was probably the best way to describe her (kind of Mediterranean / Indian).

Was I being too politically correct for being at the way he described her?

My FIL says "coloured". He knows it's wrong and does it because he knows it niggles me. I have long stopped reacting. It will die out...along with him hopefully.

oh i know you weren't talking to me, i'm just reading them. i just can't work out whether you are being a real bitch to sarahstratton or if you're being larky/sarcastic and it's not coming across.

What is offensive/inoffensive/acceptable/not acceptable/racist/not racist in other English speaking countries is of little consequence to this argument.

After all, nobody here uses the word 'Wog', citing its decreasingly pejorative and increasingly acceptable use in Australia to describe people from the Mediterranean region as a defence. I assume.

Well I'm sure you will work it out for yourself eventually...

"What is offensive/inoffensive/acceptable/not acceptable/racist/not racist in other English speaking countries is of little consequence to this argument."

A new rule? Ok - glad you are clearing the argument parameters up.

Hows your list coming along?

Whatme, in the absence of a list from you as requested, can I assume that you are refusing to provide one, or that you do not believe any word to describe someone's ethnic origin is offensive and should not be used in common parlance?

I asked for a list first, asking me for a list in return is not a response.

So, can I assume that you are refusing to provide one, or that you cannot define any word to describe someone's ethnic origin is that is offensive and should not be used in common parlance?

My list is really short.

It simply reads:

Try not to be too much of a cunt in your dealings with others

Its really handy as things like calling people coloured, arguing for the right to use words like chinky and paki, and not wittering on about this terrible PC business not letting you say what you you like anymore, all come under this handy motto.

Try not to be too much of a cunt in your dealings with others

And that includes "call them Morons" I see.

Nice one....

No, that was an insult. It was intended, as you deserved one. I'm surprised you can't tell the difference, I'd imagine you're used to people insulting you, with the way you talk.

Well, people who think it's their god given right to go around insulting others because they think they ought to be the ones to decide what is offensive do fit the definition of moronic, in my view.

After all, what other explanation is there for their behaviour?

X posts - that was to WhatMeWorry

? pendeen?

"I asked for a list first, asking me for a list in return is not a response.

So, can I assume that you are refusing to provide one, or that you cannot define any word to describe someone's ethnic origin is that is offensive and should not be used in common parlance?"

Sorry Whatme and ming if I wasn't clear- despite nobody asking me directly to provide a list, I am refusing to do so. So yes, you can assume that I am refusing to do so.

I just wondered if you were also- clearly, you are. Thanks for clarifying.

"A new rule? Ok - glad you are clearing the argument parameters up."

Ming, as flattered as I am, this is simply my view- if you would like to make it a rule that we could all stick to, I'd be honoured

WhatmeWorry

I linked to this website (for children, but it's very informative) earlier

www.britkid.org/si-words.html

^ the above lisk, BTW is a discussion of terminology pertaining to race.

A sort of list if you will.

the above link

Obviously there is no list of acceptable social behaviour and speech. There wasn't a day when some of you were off school ill and the rest of us were handed out a copy of Life: a User's Manual. We are all meant to use our intelligence and social skills to work out how to behave in social situations; this is particularly the case at work where we are being paid to use those skills.

Culture changes all the time; there is no rule book. This applies to minority groups just as much as it applies to wider society. We expect everyone to keep up with changes in society, and if people cannot be bothered to do this for ethnic groups other than their own, that kind of implies that they are a racist.

30 years ago, there were no such thing as internet message boards, but everyone on here has managed to learn how to use them, learn internet etiquette and learn new terms like DH, ROFL and so on. It is therefore reasonable to assume that over the same period of time people can learn that it is now acceptable to say black but not acceptable to say coloured, unless of course people consider this trivial and irrelevant because they think that what certain ethnic groups want to be called is trivial and irrelvant because such groups shouldn't be allowed to change culture in any way as they think only white people have the right to change culture.

As for other countries, obviously different countries are comprised of totally different ethnic groups to the ones in the UK, so yes, use of language there has almost nothing to do with use of language there.

Excellent link, Jamie.

Well, people who think it's their god given right to go around insulting others because they think they ought to be the ones to decide what is offensive do fit the definition of moronic, in my view.

Tut PR, are you calling Peppy moronic? That is the implication of your post, you know. Or does it only apply to people who disagree with you?

Incidentally, so far the only insults that have been flung are from dear old Peppy. Moron and tool so far, but who is counting :)

Have you read the link yet? V. easy to understand and has nice bright colours.

Perhaps its pitched too high at about age 7 level? Maybe we could find at list for toddlers?

Excellent post ClothesofSand

Are you incapable of understanding a clause in context, Whatme? I was talking about

people who............think they ought to be the ones to decide what is offensive

ClothesofSand - thank you for that excellent and reasonable post. You've said more eloquently what I would have wanted to.

Something tells me certain people will conveniently ignore it though.

Great post Clothesofsand- unfortunately unlike the myhtical 'professionally offended' group I doubt the 'wilfully obtuse' will read it.