This happened to me at the weekend and I feel ashamed I did nothing - Racism

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I was at a car boot sale at the weekend and there was a large stall there- that was a man and wife- selling 'fill a bag' type stuff - they were a house clearance company avoiding paying dumping fees I think

There was a lady there who was wearing a headcovering, she kept going behind the stall and they kept shooing her out
The man said in a sort of 'I'm muttering but loud enough for everyone to hear' way - he said "They're like rats, it might help if we stop giving them everything"
I was really shocked and just walked off but I feel really ashamed I didn't tackle it

What can I say if I find myself in this position again? I do not want to stand by and let it happen- I feel embarassed of being a coward

Exactly. It's fine to criticise someone's behaviour.

Although not nice language to hear, I can empathise with the stall holder.

Trying to make a living or some pocket money and idiots who have no boundaries keep on causing a problem.

Wtf what she doing?

He shouldn’t have to constantly shoo people away, if I did that (which I wouldn’t, I’m respectful) I’d expect that they are going to get peeved off

Racist words were spoken. Whether or not the woman was at the same time being a nuisance or a thief or whatever doesn't change that. Why do you struggle to understand that?

I think we all understand that bit. The problem is the racist comment the man made in response to her behaviour.

Edited to add that it's a bit more than "not nice language to hear"...

Do you or OP exactly what he was referring to when he said ‘give them everything?’ I don’t think you do, it’s not clear what his intention was from that sentence alone, he could have been referring to the goods on his stall.

That is not what I was saying though, was it? And you know it! No doubt you are one of those people who never see the racism on here. Save it! I am not interested in any reply of yours. Hth.

🤣🤣🤣

As I said I would have taken it as a racist comment. But I wasn't there in the context.

yes, no one knows exactly what he meant. He was right to be annoyed though, it’s fairly obvious she shouldn’t be rummaging.

I don’t really feel it’s wise to speak up in these situations. Could be putting yourself and the other people in potential danger.

Then why add 'we give them enough'?

Nope it was very clear what he meant

I know what he meant

What you actually said was, "I would have taken it as a racist slur but", which is what you've just said again. But what? "But I wasn't there so maybe when he spoke about rats he pointed to a group of rats walking past"???

And yet, a big blow hard puff of indignation and still no answer cometh!

Why oh why might that be! I'm scratching my faux intelligent head on that one.

I don't think the man was racist at all. I think he kept his cool when a potential thief was intent on going into his personal space, despite being told not to do several times.

He should have insisted on calling security or the police.

Meanwhile, the OP gormlessly looked on-how long did she stand there in order to see this person being repeatedly ask to stop her suspicious behaviour? All the while, she offered the law abiding chap no assistance whatsoever-disgusting!

I can't help wondering what the OP's response would have been if the stall holder had been a Muslim woman and the potential thief a white male skinhead who ignored her repeated request not to go into her private space.

Riddle me that, Oh Wise Woman! Although I think we all know the answer, don't you.

Because it seems if racist words were spoken-and they weren't in this scenario-that seems to be a bigger sin than someone trying to pinch stuff or at least invade personal space.

We need to get over thinking that there is nothing worse than a racist slur-that a potential criminal act is less important than perceived racism.

That is exactly how Pakistani Rape Gangs got away with their crimes for so long and even today, we have Lucy Powell still trying to be an apologist on those grounds.

It's wearing thin.

I think murder is worse than drink driving, but I still think both are bad. I don't understand your obsession with who behaved 'worst'?

I also don't think prisoners should be spat on by prison officers, for example, even if their crimes are much worse than the crime of spitting.

OP was asking how in the future to respond to a racist comment. You apparently think racism is excusable if someone is in the wrong area of a car boot/ being annoying/ maybe on the rob/ confused about etiquette. That's fine if that's your view, I don't respect it but it's your view. No need to pretend you're setting some all revealing moral puzzle which none but the most intelligent can even grasp.

Could be indirectly racist or he was saying the market people like vultures

Weird amount of threads about this kind of stuff tonight. I’ve read 3.

Why are you arguing with people. It seems to me like you have just come on here to argue and stir up tension.

This isn’t the right country. The majority are very tolerant. If he said something in the heat of the moment it’s probably because she would not listen.

Do you, when in the heat of the moment, tend to make racist remarks?

I mean, if you looked at me it would be a pretty weird sentence to come out of my mouth about someone that was dressed in ‘an Islamic way’. But no, obviously I have respect for ALL people.

Before Covid, this country got along fine. The last bit of racism I experienced was 25 years ago when a drunk moron was calling my friend every racists favourite word for everybody that appears to be from south Asia. Obviously we all look the same. My friend loved pointing out that he was Fijian Muslim not the word I can’t use on here. It was fine and we all had a good laugh on the way home.

Either everybody was so bored during Covid they went insane or we’re inheriting America’s problems. Either way this kind of virtue signalling on the internet is just getting ridiculous. This is the 3rd thread I’ve read tonight…What do I do about my racist DH, budgie, MIL, random man selling rubbish…The answer is nothing!!

OP, trust me if she really didn’t speak English there really is no harm done and for all the white people offended by whatever he said, don’t worry about it. You don’t need to say anything. I’m pretty quick. If anything was ever said to me I’d have them looking 2 feet tall in 5 seconds.

I wasn't gormless or disgusting. But you keep chucking out insults

I'm not arguing with people, I'm correcting what they say when it's wrong or when it's an attack on me

Agree, it’s a pity op is excusing this woman’s behaviour