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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think friends are being over-senstive?

999 replies

pomadas87 · 20/02/2017 18:51

A friend (who lives abroad) messaged me and a couple of our good mutual friends - he shared happy news of his new baby and some pics. Everyone v excited and wished him congratulations!

He then said "so who's next to have a baby - she needs a playmate!" ... me and DH are newly married and are getting the question quite a lot...! Other friend said "I'm looking at you guys" (meaning me and DH)...

I then said "not for a while I'm afraid Grin why don't you have another one straightaway and you'll have Irish Twins - instant playmate!"

Meant it in a joking way and then they all called me a racist, xenophobe etc.... I didn't realise it was offensive and now I'm feeling shitty! Did they overreact to my (stupid) joke or am I just an idiot?! Confused

OP posts:
OneWithTheForce · 21/02/2017 12:32

You believe the phrase is inherently offensive and context is irrelevant.

Incorrect. You seem to be misunderstanding me. The context is what makes it offensive. The context being that it is an offensive phrase used by the English about the Irish.

OneWithTheForce · 21/02/2017 12:34

Traditionally Irish families have had a lot of children

Yes, and? so do mormons. Or the radfords. Why not call them Mormon twins or radford twins?

InfinityPlusOne · 21/02/2017 12:38

It's also a phrase used by the Irish about the Irish and clearly is not offensive when used in that manner. The importance of context is what I've been arguing since the beginning One.

Floggingmolly · 21/02/2017 12:41

I'm Irish and I don't find it offensive... It's a fairly common saying (in Ireland, too).

ILikeBeansWithKetchup · 21/02/2017 13:03

Aeroflot and now you have been sucked in!!

I do agree, this thread is going on and on with new sets of people now having the same arguments over what race means as was (sort of) resolved - oooh - way back on about page 7!!!

OP probably went off to apologise about 12 pages back and hasn't looked in since at the carnage left in her wake!

ILikeBeansWithKetchup · 21/02/2017 13:04

And then someone like Molly pops up having not RTFT and so it begins again... it's like Dante's Circles of hell....

HappyFlappy · 21/02/2017 13:07

At least we can toast a few marshmallows on the ends of our tridents Beans. Grin

ILikeBeansWithKetchup · 21/02/2017 13:09

LOL Happy

Gottagetmoving · 21/02/2017 13:18

It is offensive to over sensitive people who like to feel affronted.
Some people positively thrive on that.

I would say I was sorry they found that offensive but I did not mean to offend and thought it was an accepted phrase to mean two children born within a year.
If people still want to make an issue of it just let them go,..life is too short.

GoLightlyHollie · 21/02/2017 13:24

Am Irish. It is not offensive.

On reflection I suppose like anything else the way something is said, tone etc, contributes to the way it is taken. For instance if someone called me a paddy in an affectionate way, I wouldn't have a problem with it; however if someone referred to a bunch of "thick fucking paddies", I might be very offended.

Huskylover1 · 21/02/2017 13:30

Uugh. It's only offensive, if you consider being Irish as a bad thing, surely? I would drop these "friends", if I was you.

OneWithTheForce · 21/02/2017 13:46

It is offensive to over sensitive people

It's only offensive, if you consider being Irish as a bad thing, surely?

Seriously? Your ignorance is offensive.

Gottagetmoving · 21/02/2017 13:50

Seriously? Your ignorance is offensive

You probably find lots and lots of things offensive.

OneWithTheForce · 21/02/2017 13:51

yes I find lots of offensive things offensive.

Aeroflotgirl · 21/02/2017 13:52

I know IL I will let them get on with it😀

ILikeBeansWithKetchup · 21/02/2017 13:53

It's fro the best aero

Huskylover1 · 21/02/2017 13:53

What's wrong with being Irish? If I tell you that my children are half Irish, is that offensive? Honestly, some people have far too much time on their hands. yawn.

ILikeBeansWithKetchup · 21/02/2017 13:53

for....

stopfuckingshoutingatme · 21/02/2017 13:56

Getting fed up with the increased, post Brexit, casual racism of this nature

agree and.....
Grin

this phrase is as old as the hills!!!!

babyinarms · 21/02/2017 13:57

I'm Irish and don't find it offensive. It's a polar turn of phrase here !

babyinarms · 21/02/2017 13:58

Sorry....popular !

babyinarms · 21/02/2017 14:00

Your friend was being offensive saying hurry up and have a baby for a play date for my little one..... he's presuming ye can all get pregnant at the drop of a hat....offensive and insensitive !

Gottagetmoving · 21/02/2017 14:00

yes I find lots of offensive things offensive

That would be things you perceive as offensive which others may not.,

OneWithTheForce · 21/02/2017 14:01

What's wrong with being Irish? If I tell you that my children are half Irish, is that offensive?

Oh Fgs. Are you kidding? Can you seriously not understand this?

Huskylover1 · 21/02/2017 14:27

Nope. I can't understand people who try to twist everything to being racist, when it clearly isn't. Says more about them, imo. Some people seriously need to chill out.

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