Would you be offended...

bnagrrl

I used to call one of my ex's Spud as an affectionate nickname :eek:

I must be a racist now Father.

ryan101

Running Balance wrote: »

Throw a bit of abuse back and see their reaction. You'll soon find out if they are being sneaky fcukers behind it all..

Exceedingly bad advice for a workplace.
The day they do move onto making remarks you personally find offensive, and sooner or that type of person always does, then you won't have a leg to stand on.

coolbeans

Freddie Dodge wrote: »

No inferiority complex here. As I said, - if you're afraid that they wont like you for standing up for yourself, - thats your problem.

As another poster said, they'd be dead to me.

Read the posts. I'm not offended so why would I stand up for myself?? Your inferiority complex regarding the English is obvious regardless of whether you acknowledge it or not.

Muise...

ryan101 wrote: »

Would you think shouting bananas at a black worker was funny ?

As the OP is the recipient of the slagging, I think your question would be better addressed to a black worker.

coolbeans

ryan101 wrote: »

Would you think shouting bananas at a black worker was funny ?

No, I suppose I wouldn't but our histories are so different that to make the comparison is a bit of a stretch.

ryan101

Muise... wrote: »

As the OP is the recipient of the slagging, I think your question would be better addressed to a black worker.

Just because someone might not get the insult, does not make it ok.

Running Balance

ryan101 wrote: »

Exceedingly bad advice for a workplace.
The day they do move onto making remarks you personally find offensive, and sooner or that type of person always does, then you won't have a leg to stand on.

so what one should let sleeping dogs lie and also turn the other cheek..

ryan101

coolbeans wrote: »

No, I suppose I wouldn't but our histories are so different that to make the comparison is a bit of a stretch.

You don't get the famine reference do you ?
That's what is really funny to them, the fact you don't even get it.
Thick paddy and all that, doesn't even realise when we are insulting him.
No wonder your friend spoke up.

petrolcan

coolbeans wrote: »

I've a lot of cause to be the in the UK at the moment where I interact with lots of Englanders on a daily basis. People are generally friendly and there's lots of push and shove banter when I deal with colleagues. I get called paddy, spud and people often shout "potatoes" in my wake. None of this bothers me in the slightest.
However, when I told an Irish friend this his eyes lït up with astonishment and fury. He tells me that I'm the subject of racist abuse and that I should report it. I think that's an absurd notion. Thoughts?

First off, the Irish are not a race.

Second, it's only worth reporting if it works in your favour.

MRnotlob606

i like being a spud, especially when the humidity is low and grass grows from my head

coolbeans

Running Balance wrote: »

Throw a bit of abuse back and see their reaction. You'll soon find out if they are being sneaky fcukers behind it all..

But the thing is I don't consider it abusive. So why reply defensively? Should I start to be offended now?

Again, there is no apparent malice intended and the issue wouldn't have arisen had I not been so shocked at my Irish friend's reaction.

Muise...

ryan101 wrote: »

Just because someone might not get the insult, does not make it ok.

OP gets slagged about nationality. OP not bothered. OP's friend gets bothered. You asK OP how he would feel about a black worker getting a racist slagging. There is no way he can answer on behalf of a hypothetical black worker. This does not imply he - or anyone else - thinks it's ok.

Judgement Day

orangesoda wrote: »

I'm an ulsterman so don't have the stereotypical paddy brogue so i don't get this sort of abuse, I always feel I get gazed at more through airport security though

p.s. spud means tottenham hotspur fan

Pull the other one would you - your average English man or woman would identify an Ulster/Norn Iron accent as Irish.

The Th!ng

Put semtex in their sandwiches.

mfergus

Na. Take it in good spirits...
You don't want to be this ****er that cries racist when somebody mentions a different nationality...

coolbeans

ryan101 wrote: »

You don't get the famine reference do you ?
That's what is really funny to them, the fact you don't even get it.
Thick paddy and all that, doesn't even realise when we are insulting him.
No wonder your friend spoke up.

I really think you're stretching it now. Irish people love spuds. It's a fact, at least it was before the boom. I'm sorry but I'm a reasonably intelligent person who don't take no **** but I just can't be offended by this. I'm surprised so many of you differ.

orangesoda

Judgement Day wrote: »

Pull the other one would you - your average English man or woman would identify an Ulster/Norn Iron accent as Irish.

Some do, some don't, some think it is Scottish or Northern Irish, it is neither, many don't know that Donegal have the same sort of accent as well as North Monaghan

coolbeans

Judgement Day wrote: »

Pull the other one would you - your average English man or woman would identify an Ulster/Norn Iron accent as Irish.

In my experience that's true.

newmug

Duckworth_Luas wrote: »

But what has Ireland got to do with potatoes?

You must be a foreigner if you don't know that - ya dirty foreign baxtard..........


































Only joking

petrolcan

Judgement Day wrote: »

Pull the other one would you - your average English man or woman would identify an Ulster/Norn Iron accent as Irish.

Your average English person is afraid of the Norn Iron accent.

SimonLynch

There's quite a lot of the old 'football casual' set still going on with that kind of ****e still. Mostly in their late 40s early 50s now, decade or two and they'll be extinct, best ignored.

ryan101

coolbeans wrote: »

I really think you're stretching it now. Irish people love spuds. It's a fact, at least it was before the boom. I'm sorry but I'm a reasonably intelligent person who don't take no **** but I just can't be offended by this. I'm surprised so many of you differ.

In the way black people also love Bananna's ?
Think about what you're saying

Renegade Mechanic

bumper234 wrote: »

@€;r in rap songs and stuff.

Gon' bust some caps in a paddys ass,
Gon' put that Kenny paddy under the grass,
Gon' collect ma dough at the office of post,
And gather a couple fellow paddys and smoke some roach.

It ain't easy bein' 'dicted to taytos,
Cuttin' the legs of each other while we polish our halos,
Forking out through the nose for houses, food and fuel,
Only to elect what amounts to the shinier of some stools..
As a collective nation we bend over and take it,
So don't bother bein' a paddy 'cause yo ass wont make it......

strobe

Depends on the relationship you have with them. If your the kind of group that are all slagging each other over being ginger or Irish or welsh or fat or drinking green tea or walking that weird way or a vegetarian or one of those really shiny black black's etc then that's just the crowd, as long as its all in good spirits its just a bit of fun.

If they're just saying this stuff to you, or just saying Irish stuff, and resonding in kind when they say something wouldn't be ok, and its not the general vibe then sounds like you're a bit of a joke and a fool and they're assholes.

Like someone else said, context is everything.

The Aussie

Coolbeans, just have laugh back, when ever I'm called a Convict I just ask them where all the Convicts come from.

Dyr

Muise... wrote: »

OP gets slagged about nationality. OP not bothered. OP's friend gets bothered. You asK OP how he would feel about a black worker getting a racist slagging. There is no way he can answer on behalf of a hypothetical black worker. This does not imply he - or anyone else - thinks it's ok.

OP gets groped by co worker. OP not bothered

Doesnt change that fact that the co worker needs to be sorted out

coolbeans

ryan101 wrote: »

In the way black people also love Bananna's ?
Think about what you're saying

Honestly, if you have to forensically analyse a comment the way you have done to figure out whether or not it's an insult it just becomes silly. You're argument is reducing the whole thing to absurdity.

And yes, I see the oh so tenuous links you're attempting to make but it's too much to be honest.

coolbeans

Bambi wrote: »

OP gets groped by co worker. OP not bothered

Doesnt change that fact that the co worker needs to be sorted out

Not the same. No parallels.

Drake66

You should do a Sean O'Brien on it

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/the-tullow-talent-150815.html
"Three years ago, a Leinster A selection visited their Saracens counterparts for a pre-season friendly. English international Dan Scarbrough didn’t see it as that, however, grabbing O’Brien by the throat with an accompanying invite to “F*** off back to Ireland and eat your potatoes”. An intimidating scenario for most youngsters, but not for Carlow’s O’Brien: “I’ll give ya spuds,” he said, and promptly knocked the winger out."

Muise...

Bambi wrote: »

OP gets groped by co worker. OP not bothered

Doesnt change that fact that the co worker needs to be sorted out

I have, on occasion, not complained about being groped. :pac:

ryan101

The Aussie wrote: »

Coolbeans, just have laugh back, when ever I'm called a Convict I just ask them where all the Convicts come from.

Exceedingly bad advice in a workplace

ryan101

coolbeans wrote: »

Honestly, if you have to forensically analyse a comment the way you have done to figure out whether or not it's an insult it just becomes silly. You're argument is reducing the whole thing to absurdity.

And yes, I see the oh so tenuous links you're attempting to make but it's too much to be honest.

I've seen where all this leads several times, but so be it, learn it the hard way.

The other fella

Are you a potato?

If not,i fail to see how it could be offensive.

Potatoeman

No Pants wrote: »

Never had that happen when I lived and worked over there. I did get the occasional stranger in London and Liverpool try to wind me up over the IRA, bombing, etc. but an offer to crack their head open quietened them down.

In general, I found that the English really have no idea why Irish people don't seem to like them.

Irish people are more aware of the negative history between us and the British because it's covered more in our history curriculum. It's pretty normal for nations to gloss over the negative aspects of their history too.

Shakespeare's Sister

Potatoeman wrote: »

.

Where the hell have you been?!

http://download.lardlad.com/framegrabs/5F09/088.jpg

The Aussie

ryan101 wrote: »

Exceedingly bad advice in a workplace

Why, it is said to me in a workplace!!!

Some people like Coolbeans can move on without a chip log on their shoulder.


It seems to me you are carrying the burden of other generations, could be time to move on you know.

jimgoose

OP, build a bridge and put a slope on it.

Potatoeman

Magaggie wrote: »

Where the hell have you been?!

http://download.lardlad.com/framegrabs/5F09/088.jpg

Touring with U2.

Steppenwolfe

I was often refered to as 'murphy' or 'paddy' when I worked in England. It was only among closer work mates or friends. I never took offense as it wasn't meant maliciously. It's who says it and how they say it that makes the difference. As somebody else stated, it's all down to context.

Dyr

coolbeans wrote: »

Not the same. No parallels.

I'm not that familiar with english employment law but I think you'll find it is. Both would be considered types of harrasement.

DubVelo

If it gets too far make jokey references to going to see HR regarding casual racism in the workplace.
Usually get's the point across.

Either that or just don't live among the enemy. Though some of the other immigrants can also be pretty bad (Aussies, Saffas, etc.), they often just don't seem to realise that they're being c***s.

vibe666

I came over here in 2001, following an Irish girl (now my wife, plus 2 kids) and for the first few years I was regularly directly blamed at work (in jest) for the potato famine, British subdugation etc etc and there was the odd limey comment, but none of it ever bothered me in the slightest and I had a good laugh about it and joined in.

I've never really understood people who get all bent out of shape over a bit of banter, it seems so pointless.

Had anyone posted this yet? Sums it all up for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l_M-zbLqnk

Tail Docker

Steppenwolfe wrote: »

I was often refered to as 'murphy' or 'paddy' when I worked in England. It was only among closer work mates or friends. I never took offense as it wasn't meant maliciously. It's who says it and how they say it that makes the difference. As somebody else stated, it's all down to context.

I work there as a consultant - I've occasionally had tools come out with " sure we'll get some paddies in to do that - they're cheap" or "Oi Paddy - the meetings starting". I'd take a dim view of guff like that. I don't say "Oi, Gobshyte with the ghey voice, the meetings starting" or "we'll get a brit to do that - sure they're fit for fcuk all else". I lived there for years - I was born there to Irish parents - it's not banter, it's a sly dig. They don't go "Oi, bubble, or Oi - Wop, or "Oi, Diego" - that would be rascist, etc etc, but "paddy" gets a pass. Fcuk off does it. Call me Paddy, and I'm suddenly realising your job could be much better outsourced, you cnut.

The Aussie

DubVelo wrote: »

Though some of the other immigrants can also be pretty bad (Aussies, Saffas, etc.), they often just don't seem to realise that they're being c***s.

Generalise much?

Muise...

Tail Docker wrote: »

I work there as a consultant - I've occasionally had tools come out with " sure we'll get some paddies in to do that - they're cheap" or "Oi Paddy - the meetings starting". I'd take a dim view of guff like that. I don't say "Oi, Gobshyte with the ghey voice, the meetings starting" or "we'll get a brit to do that - sure they're fit for fcuk all else". I lived there for years - I was born there to Irish parents - it's not banter, it's a sly dig. They don't go "Oi, bubble, or Oi - Wop, or "Oi, Diego" - that would be rascist, etc etc, but "paddy" gets a pass. Fcuk off does it. Call me Paddy, and I'm suddenly realising your job could be much better outsourced, you cnut.

Did you let the people who slagged you know you don't like it?

questionmark?

Context Context Context.

My friend always winds me up at the bar for how I say a pint of Thatchers without the 'h'. I'm in no way offended and I wind him up for sounding like a farmer (Bristol/westcountry accent) Its called banter or are we now both racists father!!

The Irish and Brits have a similer sense of humour i.e. pisstaken/sarcasm/banter.

coolbeans

Tail Docker wrote: »

I work there as a consultant - I've occasionally had tools come out with " sure we'll get some paddies in to do that - they're cheap" or "Oi Paddy - the meetings starting". I'd take a dim view of guff like that. I don't say "Oi, Gobshyte with the ghey voice, the meetings starting" or "we'll get a brit to do that - sure they're fit for fcuk all else". I lived there for years - I was born there to Irish parents - it's not banter, it's a sly dig. They don't go "Oi, bubble, or Oi - Wop, or "Oi, Diego" - that would be rascist, etc etc, but "paddy" gets a pass. Fcuk off does it. Call me Paddy, and I'm suddenly realising your job could be much better outsourced, you cnut.

I just can't be offended by the word paddy.

ryan101

vibe666 wrote: »

I came over here in 2001, following an Irish girl (now my wife, plus 2 kids) and for the first few years I was regularly directly blamed at work (in jest) for the potato famine, British subdugation etc etc and there was the odd limey comment, but none of it ever bothered me in the slightest and I had a good laugh about it and joined in.

I've never really understood people who get all bent out of shape over a bit of banter, it seems so pointless.

Had anyone posted this yet? Sums it all up for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l_M-zbLqnk

This is the workplace we're talking about, not secondary school or college.

Ask your HR department what they think of such 'banter'

Sooner or later it all goes very badly wrong.

Dyr

The Aussie wrote: »

Generalise much?

Its hard not to when someone just posted a clip of that skidmark steve hughes

no offence

BQQ

The Aussie wrote: »

Generalise much?

It's only banter, you drongo.

Move on, and leave the chip on your shoulder. It'll only weigh you down.