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Original poster

dad at school had some racist views today

24 replies

jampots · 16/01/2007 21:42

my friend and i were standing with a dad at school who is normally very nice but he was telling us about the Despatches programme the other evening and what sort of things that came to light through it - or his version of it. Neither of us had seen it so were unable to comment but we were both surprised by his views. We both felt uncomfortable with him being so vocal about it within earshot of others. All in all we felt like we both handled it really badly but felt unable to argue with him.

OP posts:

Rhubarb · 16/01/2007 21:48

Next time just politely say "I appreciate that you have your own views on this, but I have to say now that I'm going to disagree with you so maybe we should leave it there?"

VeniVidiVickiQV · 16/01/2007 21:49

rhubarb

are you feeling alright???

not like you to be restrained and diplomatic......

Rhubarb · 16/01/2007 21:51

arse!

Original poster

jampots · 16/01/2007 21:51

he doesnt want his dd going on a trip to the Mosque ! He has said she will be off that day.

I told him it wasnt like him to be so narrow minded but in a jokey way.

OP posts:

VeniVidiVickiQV · 16/01/2007 21:53

where rhubs?

jampots, it must make you feel pretty awkward? About talking to him future....?

Rhubarb · 16/01/2007 21:57

I think you might have to be a bit more forceful jampots or he'll think you agree with him and could even tell other parents that you do so. Silence is compliance to some people you see.

Behind you VVV!

paulaplumpbottom · 16/01/2007 21:59

Frown power works

Rhubarb · 16/01/2007 22:01

Or turning to your friend and asking if someone farted because you're sure you got a gust of bottom wind just then!

MamazonAKAfatty · 16/01/2007 22:05

but nor wanting his daughter to visit a mosque isn't necessarily racist though. narrow minded yes, even a little gullable to the tabloid press - maybe he thinks that she will be engulfed by some mad preacher who will transform her into a suicide bomber or something.

EmmyLou · 16/01/2007 22:09

Makes me feel all dirty when that sort of thing happens - you can't quite relate to what is being said and want so much to believe the best in people but come away thinking "OMG! Did they possibly think that I might agree with them???"

Friend of mine said something along the lines of "Ohhh! I think we have a difference of opinion there! Oh is that so-and-so over there? I must go and speak to her." But I find usually words just fail me.

Jampots - you could keep extra silent and tight lipped, in the hope that the sound of tumlbeweed and dust flying across the playground make this particular dad want to 'get his coat'.

Freckle · 16/01/2007 22:21

This reply has been deleted

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2shoes · 16/01/2007 22:23

arn't kids lucky. I would love to look round a mosque

IntergalacticWalrus · 16/01/2007 22:26

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wotzsaname · 16/01/2007 22:30

Its a shame parents have to enforce thier misconceptions onto their children. Teachers must have to put up with alot of ignorance from adults more than the children. Walris I think you were very calm.

KezzaG · 16/01/2007 22:33

God I hate situations like this. I feel compelled to say something as I always worry that my silence will be taken as agreement, but I just hate causing a potential scene. I always wonder why I am so concerned about upsetting someone else when they obviously have no qualms about possibly upsetting me or the victim of their comments.

IntergalacticWalrus · 16/01/2007 22:33

I did rant to a collegue so much he was starting to get that glassy eyed look poeple get when you have been going on just a bit too long

The man was an imbecile.

wotzsaname · 16/01/2007 22:38

I have said in past "oh well you have your views" plus slight shrug and left a long pause. I dont want to debate with them in the playground, however much i want to.

jampots FWIW the playground is just a place to colect your children. Stand somehere else to wait.

IntergalacticWalrus · 16/01/2007 22:39

Normally, I just let rip, but I had to be calm and measured, as I was at work, and my mouth runs away sometimes!

EmmyLou · 16/01/2007 22:45

There's a guy in our village who even managed to make a 'blokes' type village pub in north yorkshire fall silent, his rascist comments were so offensive. He was asked to leave.

Uggh. If I'd have known I'd never have let him do some plastering in our bathroom. Yuck. He even had the cheek to add his name and height mark on our FAMILY measuring wall. Twat. No point arguing with someone so stupid.

Walrus, i think my jaw would have hit the floor and stayed there. Some use that would've been.

Original poster

jampots · 16/01/2007 22:46

I dont normally go into the playground to collect as ds comes out to my car but i was collecting my friends younger son todya and was worried they wouldnt hook up and remember where i was.

as I/we hadnt seen teh programme I was unable to comment on the content which is what he was banging on about and then telling us "this is what they do.." He also said he wont go for a curry on principal so i guess he is pretty much consistent across the board instead of being a racist wanker who eats indian food

OP posts:

paulaplumpbottom · 16/01/2007 22:47

I always hate it if someone says something like that to me because I'm so worried they think I agree with them.

EmmyLou · 16/01/2007 22:51

Won't go for a curry on principle??? How big of him. WTF. Utter twat. Avoid at all costs. Not even worth wasting your breath.

wotzsaname · 16/01/2007 22:57

jampot he is just a demonic knob head. Sorry you had to experience this today infront of children.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 17/01/2007 00:29

Have to say, and this will be my downfall one day i am sure, if i hear things as hideous as you heard today jammie, (from someone I 'know', I do question them on it and ask them if they are joking/serious. I cant abide that kind of talk and whilst I know I can walk away, I'd rather they knew for future reference that I found it distasteful.

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