Thread: Am I racist for saying...

Originally Posted by Pinelli

I've never seen a bogan drinking Heineken.

What
There's gay bogans

What I regret is that there are so many well thought out and downright funny slang terms that we can no longer use. It's an Aussie tragedy...

It really does surprise me how easily the current generation are offended,as in the mid 20th century most immigrants were refered to as "WOGS" the real meaning of that term is"Western Oriental Gentleman" and a lot of the European post war migrants were quite proud to be called that,it meant to them that they were recognised by the general Australian population.

I grew up with slightly lame leg,and got called,"Limpy" "Hop-Diddley" and "Chester" but was taught by family that those who called me these names had their own problems which they were hiding.

All long before this "Political Correctness"

At GM-H Pagewood being rostered onto payroll duty, taking the envelopes around the factory, was referred to as "paying the wogs". Almost no Australians worked as assemblers.

Import car snobs used to say that Australians can't build quality cars. My riposte was that Australians didn't build the cars. The cars were built by Italians, Greeks, Lebanese, Maltese, Yugoslavs, Egyptians, Iraqis, Yemenis, Poms.

Being small I've been called a little Pommy bastard , short arse , or any number of names . Now if a mate says It , I know It's just a term and don't take any offense . If someone I don't know says the same , I can take offense , It's in the context It can be said for me to be offended or not !!..

Originally Posted by UncleHo

It really does surprise me how easily the current generation are offended,as in the mid 20th century most immigrants were refered to as "WOGS" the real meaning of that term is"Western Oriental Gentleman" and a lot of the European post war migrants were quite proud to be called that,it meant to them that they were recognised by the general Australian population.

All long before this "Political Correctness"

maybe the X gen spent their time at Westfields, and the Y gen spent their time on computer games. Instead of spending time with their dads to getting some hand me down history and explanations.

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

No you say to them that you understand that they are feeling hurt, maybe even vilified by the use of the term, but unfortunately it doesn't meet the criteria of racisim (because being a Bogan is not considered a race). However, you will proceed on the complaint on the basis of inter-staff bullying.

If you accept a complaint that is outside the criteria for discrimination (or racism) you will end up having to deal with complaints based upon the colour of people's clothing or the shortness of their hair or the suburb they live in.

IMHO call racism: racism and bullying: bullying and deal with them as such.

It would be nice if complaints would stop all together! One of the hardest ones was telling all the 20yr old girls that got level entry jobs at CBA what to wear, and the fact that a skirt so short that doesn't cover their bum when they sit down is not appropriate.

Thanks for all the comments and minor diversions, but how about the new question at hand?

If it is possible for "in this country..." to be a racist precursor to some feedback (or cultural education/enlightenment), what should be said instead?

Any ideas/comments appreciated.