How do we educate people with regards to appropriate use of words?

[lou33]

I'm getting more and more depressed at the use of inappropriate words , mainly in this country, but i hear a lot coming from the states as well through films.

Specifically this morning I am talking of the word "spaz", it's used in popbitch today allegedly used by people at brooklyn beckham's old school, but in fact there are many terms i find equally offensive and unnecessary.

Is there anyone out there who can explain to me why it is funny to take the pi*s out of people for things they have no chice about, like disabilities and skin colour?

I know background and education have a big part to play, but i come from the sort of upbringing that you could theorise would make me more likely to use these awful negative terms, yet i just knew they were wrong , even as a child.

It makes me both sad and angry that i still read, see, hear this all around me (and yes i do take people to task over it, and yes i do hear the word spaz used a lot)

How can this be changed, or do you think it can't?

I have a friend who insists on using the word 'paki' for anyone who looks remotely asian - have tried explaining to her that this is infact a derogatory term and could she stop refering to people according to their skin tone. It hasn't worked though - she still does it but not when talking to me!

I do think it becomes 2nd nature to people though - I work in a shop and when I approached someone to see if they wanted any help they told me to 'f**k off'. This wasn't said in a menacing way, it was just part of their everyday vocabulary.

The thing that annoys me the most is when I'm out with my DH who works with adults with severe learning difficulties and we have one of the residents with us and ADULTS stare at them. I don't mind children looking as anything different about someone is bound to interest them but surely adults should know better. I have been known to take people to task over this although my dh says I shouldn't get so het up about it!!

Sorry, rant over!!!!!!!!

I challenge people, Lou.

But it's hard to find the right (i.e effective) way sometimes - because, as FF points out, it's not always from the same motivation or level of consciousness.

And challenging is in itesef exhausting and depressing.

You get called 'PC' if what you have to say is above the threshold of thet particular listeners sensibilities.

Sympathies, anyway, Lou - please enjoy the sunshine.

Er, ff your new name is going to get mixed up with FF! Chaos could ensue!

i disagree that chav and spaz/mong/paki are on a par.

the last three are something you can do nothing about, being a chav imo is a lifestyle choice, they can change everything that depicts them as one if they wanted, it's a choice

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spaz is an awful term. people say it without really thinking about what it actually implies.

chav is just funny. it's completely their choice.

paki is obviously offensive but i work with an indian chap who thinks it's hilarious.

being a chav isnt a lifestyle choice, infact by alot of middle classes it is just used to describe the working classes

I have lots of things in my life that concern me and i don't get offended by any of the words that effect the issues in my life, they are not a personal attack at me, they are general ridiculous comments that good people use without knowing they are causing offence.

why is chave funny and spaz not? i think it is a personal choice and if one is going to get offended they should not use any word that could cause offence to another, good look to them i say as it is impossible

am not talking about money fio, of course it doesn't apply to that, but am talking about the way people associated with that phrase dress, etc

i could be a chav if it's down to working class, but i don't think i am

well ff i am glad you are so grounded.

next time i am sitting with my son and a group of people start pissing about shouting "i'm a spastic, look at me", i will think of you and laugh along

why is chav up to them? people have different tastes and a whole of group of people have decided its not the right taste and slag them off, ridiculous

I dont thinkpeople are associating the word spaz with the use spastic though, its as though it is a different word. I think FF is trying to say it is how it is said, not what is said

yes, well i am grounded, i know the labels i posses, i know what my sons have been called. I konw exactly the minorities i fit into. I will protect my family if it is vindictive. I was best mates with a " sapz" for my entire life thankyou very much, we laughed, we didn't laugh if it was a bitter aggressive remark, huge difference.

fio, you can't get away from teh fact that spaz and spastic are related. What do people mean when they say he went spastic, or the beat in the beat in the music is a bit spazzy, or what would they do if asked to act like a spastic?

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never heard spaz being used any other way than vindictive, you must be v lucky

who said it was a shock horror to be middle class? i didnt

so what if its a lifestyle choice, should they all dress to conform with how everyone deems fit. Should we all be clones?

Yes i am lucky, you are right.

i relate chav simply with being a bit tacky. its not even in the same league as spaz. spaz is a nasty attack on a specific affliction.

i didn't say they had to conform, i said it was a choice which they could do something about if they wanted to

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so hoe can we change people's attitudes then?

taking the piss out of people with a disability doesn't compare with the taking the piss out of someone with a nackered vw golf painted flourescent green with a big tail fin thing hanging out the back and fat ass exhaust pipe.