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

At no point was anyone asked whether they consider this racist! The query was about what OP could do in the future if she witnesses racism. Real lack of comprehension skills here - or thinly disguised racism.

I should have added that! And everytime he breaks wind he follows through.

You're quite right, you've made it all clear and I see the error of my ways. Eternally grateful.

If people are pushing ahead in a queue and disrespectful of VE Day silence it is totally unacceptable behaviour. But racist comments are not acceptable either.

And there’s a lot of smug people who feel they can look down on anyone who doesn’t share their opinion and call them names.

@GlennMillersToothbrush That made me laugh haha it’s such a good film

I know somebody who refers to MN as “Prosecco Stormfront”.

Reading some of these comments I see why.

Are people incapable of objecting to somebody’s behaviour without racism and dehumanising language?

They know OP. They're being disingenuous.

It isn't OK to call Roma rats either.

It is disgusting to speak about any human like that.

It can take you by surprise. I recently spoke up loudly in a fast food place, it was scary. A non paying customer, asked a staff for a straw, the staff member handed it, but didn't say you're welcome, before non paying scumbag started abusing the staff member for taking Irish jobs, how he should appreciate being here. I couldn't help myself.
The bully left tail between legs.

I was frightened leaving the place, hopeful that the bully didn't hang around.

Another time on a bus I didn't speak up and felt terrible but I knew it would escalate, I'd probably be assaulted, it was shit.

I thought it was only trans and day drinkers MN hated, learnt something today.

It's not even thinly disguised.

It's middle class racism. Racism only counts if you're shouting obscenities or using your fists...

How dos she know they where Muslim?

If some of the posters here are expressing racist views I'll say so.

I’m not going to debate whether his comment was racist or not, you were there, we weren’t. It’s not always appropriate but sometimes when someone makes a comment I find racist/sexist/whatever-ist, I play really dumb and curious and question what they mean. In this case perhaps “what have you given her?” If the answer is something like paying for her big house “what? You bought her a house?!” Etc. Stewart Lee has a bit where he did it with a taxi driver, probably explains it better. But I find it’s often more effective to watch someone tie themselves in knots to justify their position than tell them what their position should be.

MN is astonishingly racist, just look at what happens whenever a post from black mumsnetters board comes up in active. I think at one point there was a request to have the board hidden from active. I also once saw a comment justifying wearing blackface on Halloween and comparing it to painting yourself blue for a smurf costume

It's not colour, it's culture.

Really? Ideas?

You say it was obvious that he was being racist.

Therefore 'Please don't be racist' would be a pretty straightforward place to start, wouldn't it? I don't think we need to make it any more complicated than that. Short and to the point.

You very clearly thought that at the time. So why didn't you just say it?

I’m so sorry.

“It might help if we stop giving them everything”.

What do you think “we” have given “them” to date that makes his comment about her behaviour?

In the circumstances i think looking slightly uncomfortable and not nodding along was an ok response. You dont know the full background and it sounds like the woman was at the very least bring a pain.

It's getting ridiculous. I've just had a pleasant dialogue with members of Britain First.

Holy fuck these comments are depressing, of course it was racist.