To think this sign is racist?

[Devendra]

Ok I might be but along a busy main road near the city I live in is a large sign adverising a taxi firm. It is on the background of St georges flag and states.. *** Taxis 100% English and proud.
I have driven past it a few times and it makes me feel uncomfortable. I chatted to a friend who had also noticed it and she said the same... what do you think?

Does seem a strange choice of wording. Maybe they meant it to say "supporting England" but were charged per letter?

If it's boasting that all it's staff are English then that's not on.

Don't be daft. I promote my service as English & based in the UK. I am in competition with £2/hr Indians (in India), whose comprehension of our local cultural & business environment may not be as good as mine. It's a valid selling point.

I have lived in places where it was hard to find an English-speaking cab driver, let alone one who understood our cultural norms vis-a-vis women travelling alone at night. I don't care if your cab firm was supporting the footie or not, they're still entitled to promote their advantage (assuming it's true).

Some people are looking to find problems where none actually exist!

I would actually prefer to be driven by someone who was English. The last few taxi drivers I had who were foreign, I had to direct. I am shit at giving directions and I mentioned some fairly well known roads and they didn't know where I was talking about. When I am drunk and want to sleep, the last thing I want to do is direct.

No, because English is not a race.
So, YABU.

LOL at the idea that all the cars / parts would be English.

Highly unlikely given that nearly all our manufacturing industries are owned by foreign firms.

Good point DetectivePotato it's a shame that London has the monopoly on cab drivers actually knowing where they are going.

I am a little bit worried they think a taxi can be proud. Well-driven, timely, cheap enough I can understand.
i came across a rather jingoistic pack of bin liners the other day. It just made me laugh.

True racism is alive and well.

It seems that any reference to ethnicity/nationality etc is over analysed for perceived racism which IMO detracts from the real deal.

I wouldn't assume it was racist. I would assume they meant they were supporting the football.

Or maybe I'm naive.

Eh?

It's to do with the football

And people who are not white can still be english, you know

ItsGrace - please can you explain what you meant by "let alone one who understood our cultural norms vis-a-vis women travelling alone at night." ?

DetectivePotato - I would certainly also like to be driven by someone who knew where they were going. All the Turkish/Polish/Pakistani taxi drivers round here seem to manage

Jamie - Yes, I can. I should also have mentioned the frustrations of paying a driver to not know where my destination is, nor to understand my directions or even to drive with due regard for the Highway Code.

I lived in London and used taxis daily. I have frequently been molested, locked in cars by drivers attempting rape, subjected to distressing monologues on my appearance and to vicious accusations of immorality, filthiness, unworthiness etc as (allegedly) proven by the Q'uran.

One of the misbehaving drivers was a black cabbie. All the others were non-English minicab drivers.

Your experience of Polish cabbies has no bearing on my own experience, neither does your political correctness.

• black cabbie = Licensed London 'black cab' driver, not a Black cab driver!

Excuse me - I had no idea what you meant, and was asking, that's all! I am shocked by your experiences

Oh for Gods sake Devendra. Get a grip - there is plenty of true discriminatory behaviour around without you inventing it. It likely to be a reference to the football.

Sorry for the minor strop, Jamie. Your posting both questions at once looked rather purposeful. My bad

It's a serious problem in London. I forget the reasons why they can't train up enough proper drivers on the Knowledge, but remember being defeated by the argument. You have to make a big show of texting a minicab's registration number to a friend before getting in, then keep your wits about you - which, obviously, can be difficult when you're knackered, drunk and your heel's broken

What are you lot on about - Of course its about the footie, good grief everything that stands still has something about england plasterd all over it, theres no undertone or hidden motive, its just slightly misplased england gimicky crap, get a grip!

S'ok . I suppose we can all only go by our own experiences, and yours unfortunately have been bad

I am inclined to be a bit PC, but I really didn't know what you meant