What are your unpopular opinions?

[DoubleD]

Blown2CV said:

DoubleD said:

Blown2CV said:

TameRacingDriver said:

Today I learned people get upset by the word retard.

Christ almighty...

(sorry for the blasphemy for anyone offended by that too).

I would add an unpopular opinion that people are WAYYYY too easily offended these days, but it wouldn't exactly be unpopular.

I don't think you were trying to state an unpopular opinion there, but I do think you're in the minority there. Retard is fairly roundly accepted as an offensive word, and it isn't a recent thing.

Use of this word doesnt really bother me to be honest. But then different people find different things offensive.

maybe it's disabled people who find it offensive eh? It has been discussed on the forum before and i thought at that point we had agreed that we are no longer in the 70s even though some of us evidently still wear flares.

Yeah maybe. You will always find that different people find different things offensive.

[Etypephil]

Blown2CV said:

TameRacingDriver said:

Today I learned people get upset by the word retard.

Christ almighty...

(sorry for the blasphemy for anyone offended by that too).

I would add an unpopular opinion that people are WAYYYY too easily offended these days, but it wouldn't exactly be unpopular.

I don't think you were trying to state an unpopular opinion there, but I do think you're in the minority there. Retard is fairly roundly accepted as an offensive word, and it isn't a recent thing.

Only by spiritually millenial retards.

[Blown2CV]

DoubleD said:

Blown2CV said:

DoubleD said:

Blown2CV said:

TameRacingDriver said:

Today I learned people get upset by the word retard.

Christ almighty...

(sorry for the blasphemy for anyone offended by that too).

I would add an unpopular opinion that people are WAYYYY too easily offended these days, but it wouldn't exactly be unpopular.

I don't think you were trying to state an unpopular opinion there, but I do think you're in the minority there. Retard is fairly roundly accepted as an offensive word, and it isn't a recent thing.

Use of this word doesnt really bother me to be honest. But then different people find different things offensive.

maybe it's disabled people who find it offensive eh? It has been discussed on the forum before and i thought at that point we had agreed that we are no longer in the 70s even though some of us evidently still wear flares.

Yeah maybe. You will always find that different people find different things offensive.

there are some things which so many people find to be out of order that they in all practicality cease to be subjective though.

[DoubleD]

Blown2CV said:

DoubleD said:

Blown2CV said:

DoubleD said:

Blown2CV said:

TameRacingDriver said:

Today I learned people get upset by the word retard.

Christ almighty...

(sorry for the blasphemy for anyone offended by that too).

I would add an unpopular opinion that people are WAYYYY too easily offended these days, but it wouldn't exactly be unpopular.

I don't think you were trying to state an unpopular opinion there, but I do think you're in the minority there. Retard is fairly roundly accepted as an offensive word, and it isn't a recent thing.

Use of this word doesnt really bother me to be honest. But then different people find different things offensive.

maybe it's disabled people who find it offensive eh? It has been discussed on the forum before and i thought at that point we had agreed that we are no longer in the 70s even though some of us evidently still wear flares.

Yeah maybe. You will always find that different people find different things offensive.

there are some things which so many people find to be out of order that they in all practicality cease to be subjective though.

Its not a word that I would really use, but im not fussed if others do, and I hear it used fairly often. There are probably things that you say or do that others find offensive, thats just life unfortunately.

[Blown2CV]

DoubleD said:

Blown2CV said:

DoubleD said:

Blown2CV said:

DoubleD said:

Blown2CV said:

TameRacingDriver said:

Today I learned people get upset by the word retard.

Christ almighty...

(sorry for the blasphemy for anyone offended by that too).

I would add an unpopular opinion that people are WAYYYY too easily offended these days, but it wouldn't exactly be unpopular.

I don't think you were trying to state an unpopular opinion there, but I do think you're in the minority there. Retard is fairly roundly accepted as an offensive word, and it isn't a recent thing.

Use of this word doesnt really bother me to be honest. But then different people find different things offensive.

maybe it's disabled people who find it offensive eh? It has been discussed on the forum before and i thought at that point we had agreed that we are no longer in the 70s even though some of us evidently still wear flares.

Yeah maybe. You will always find that different people find different things offensive.

there are some things which so many people find to be out of order that they in all practicality cease to be subjective though.

Its not a word that I would really use, but im not fussed if others do, and I hear it used fairly often. There are probably things that you say or do that others find offensive, thats just life unfortunately.

what are your thoughts on the N-word then... do you hear that used fairly often amongst the people you associate with?

[DoubleD]

Blown2CV said:

DoubleD said:

Blown2CV said:

DoubleD said:

Blown2CV said:

DoubleD said:

Blown2CV said:

TameRacingDriver said:

Today I learned people get upset by the word retard.

Christ almighty...

(sorry for the blasphemy for anyone offended by that too).

I would add an unpopular opinion that people are WAYYYY too easily offended these days, but it wouldn't exactly be unpopular.

I don't think you were trying to state an unpopular opinion there, but I do think you're in the minority there. Retard is fairly roundly accepted as an offensive word, and it isn't a recent thing.

Use of this word doesnt really bother me to be honest. But then different people find different things offensive.

maybe it's disabled people who find it offensive eh? It has been discussed on the forum before and i thought at that point we had agreed that we are no longer in the 70s even though some of us evidently still wear flares.

Yeah maybe. You will always find that different people find different things offensive.

there are some things which so many people find to be out of order that they in all practicality cease to be subjective though.

Its not a word that I would really use, but im not fussed if others do, and I hear it used fairly often. There are probably things that you say or do that others find offensive, thats just life unfortunately.

what are your thoughts on the N-word then... do you hear that used fairly often amongst the people you associate with?

I hear all kinds of words used when I am out and about, yes that is one of them.

[Countdown]

TameRacingDriver said:

Today I learned people get upset by the word retard.

Christ almighty...

(sorry for the blasphemy for anyone offended by that too).

I would add an unpopular opinion that people are WAYYYY too easily offended these days, but it wouldn't exactly be unpopular.

Imagine how Airbus pilots feel every time they land and the autopilot is chanting “retard, retard.....”

[Rawwr]

Blown2CV said:

there are some things which so many people find to be out of order that they in all practicality cease to be subjective though.

Ah, so that's why you ceased to be subjective.

[Roofless Toothless]

TameRacingDriver said:

I wonder if it varies by region mind?

I'm from North East england, so probably regarded as a knuckle dragger by our southern friends. None of my friends or me are remotely offended by it and some of our 'banter' is probably rather extreme by some peoples standards if that word upsets them...

I'll consider myself educated on the matter!

My son, raised and educated in Essex (a nice part!) got a job as a manager of a branch of a mobile phone retailer in the Metro Centre. On the first morning he got to know his staff, all local lads, and at lunchtime they announced that they were off to the Poki to get their lunch. (I've changed a letter in that word to make my point.)

My son said, "you can't say that!"

They looked at him with open mouthed amazement, before replying, "but they are, aren't they?"

I think there could well be regional variation in what is deemed offensive. Personally I find the word retard ugly and insensitive, but though I wouldn't use it myself, the abbreviation 'tard does play a pivotal role in what is probably the funniest post ever made on Pistonheads. Spastic became unacceptable many years back, and I am reminded of Ian Dury's amazement that his song Spasticus Autisticus, which he wrote as a protest against the patronising attitude of charities for the disabled, ended up being banned by the BBC!

It is confusing, though. I have trouble understanding why Poki should be deemed so offensive, when Americans are allowed to get away with calling me a Brit. They are both four letter abbreviations of nationality. I really hate being described as a Brit.

[WinstonWolf]

Countdown said:

TameRacingDriver said:

Today I learned people get upset by the word retard.

Christ almighty...

(sorry for the blasphemy for anyone offended by that too).

I would add an unpopular opinion that people are WAYYYY too easily offended these days, but it wouldn't exactly be unpopular.

Imagine how Airbus pilots feel every time they land and the autopilot is chanting “retard, retard.....”

It does make me chuckle, especially as the voice is a little retarded as well.

[TameRacingDriver]

Countdown said:

Imagine how Airbus pilots feel every time they land and the autopilot is chanting “retard, retard.....”

Roofless Toothless said:

My son, raised and educated in Essex (a nice part!) got a job as a manager of a branch of a mobile phone retailer in the Metro Centre. On the first morning he got to know his staff, all local lads, and at lunchtime they announced that they were off to the Poki to get their lunch. (I've changed a letter in that word to make my point.)

My son said, "you can't say that!"

They looked at him with open mouthed amazement, before replying, "but they are, aren't they?"

I think there could well be regional variation in what is deemed offensive. Personally I find the word retard ugly and insensitive, but though I wouldn't use it myself, the abbreviation 'tard does play a pivotal role in what is probably the funniest post ever made on Pistonheads. Spastic became unacceptable many years back, and I am reminded of Ian Dury's amazement that his song Spasticus Autisticus, which he wrote as a protest against the patronising attitude of charities for the disabled, ended up being banned by the BBC!

It is confusing, though. I have trouble understanding why Poki should be deemed so offensive, when Americans are allowed to get away with calling me a Brit. They are both four letter abbreviations of nationality. I really hate being described as a Brit.

That seems to confirm it to some degree, to be honest, most things that start down south seem to take their merry time to get up here, if they ever do! Sometimes that's a bad thing - we are normally the last place in the country get any money or investment, but then again, we never really got loads of speed cameras, and are only just now looking at congestion charges and CAZ's so it sometimes has its upsides.

As for the p@ki argument, I always understood that they actually did refer to themselves as that and it wasn't offensive at all... the problem arises when you refer to someone from India or elsewhere in the ME as a....... which is understandable. I can confirm people up here still do say that as well, I hear it quite a lot. That said, I very much doubt anyone saying it bothers to check where they're from anyway....

[gregs656]

India is South Asia, not the Middle East.

[j_4m]

Roofless Toothless said:

It is confusing, though. I have trouble understanding why Poki should be deemed so offensive, when Americans are allowed to get away with calling me a Brit. They are both four letter abbreviations of nationality. I really hate being described as a Brit.

Calling someone of vague South Asian ancestry a '' carries with it the context of racial violence from the 60s and 70s. Not so with 'Brit', though one could argue that it's a racially charged term when used by Angles or Saxons.

[Roofless Toothless]

TameRacingDriver said:

That seems to confirm it to some degree, to be honest, most things that start down south seem to take their merry time to get up here, if they ever do! Sometimes that's a bad thing - we are normally the last place in the country get any money or investment, but then again, we never really got loads of speed cameras, and are only just now looking at congestion charges and CAZ's so it sometimes has its upsides.

As for the p@ki argument, I always understood that they actually did refer to themselves as that and it wasn't offensive at all... the problem arises when you refer to someone from India or elsewhere in the ME as a....... which is understandable. I can confirm people up here still do say that as well, I hear it quite a lot. That said, I very much doubt anyone saying it bothers to check where they're from anyway....

I wouldn't suggest for a moment that people from your part of the world actually treat or respect others any differently, despite the words they might use. It is a matter of being aware of the latest 'acceptable' term.

Being an ancient person I have a bit of trouble trying to keep up with the latest PC terminology, and there have been moments I have got into a bit of trouble over this. As a union rep I was once invited to sit in as an observer on a diversity course my employer (NHS) was running. One of the class found herself being castigated for using the term 'half caste' instead of 'mixed race'. She meant no harm, but was reduced to tears by the facilitator for doing this.

I had to step out of my role temporarily and get involved (my biggest failing in life!) and say that I wasn't aware of this nicety either. I further added that my mother's side of the family was Jewish, and I could assure everybody that when they were being marched into the gas chambers, or (as in my case) to the open graves dug in the forests outside Kiev, the last thing on peoples' minds would have been whether they were being called Yids or Heinies. It was how they were going to be treated that was occupying their thoughts.

Another one you might appreciate was when my son, who lives in a nice county town 15 miles north of Newcastle, asked me not to wear my pink shirt when we went down to the pub! A few years ago, mind you, but it gobsmacked me.

But then, TameRacingDriver, for all your funny ways, you guys do have the privilege of living in one if the most beautiful parts of the country I have ever seen.

[TameRacingDriver]

gregs656 said:

India is South Asia, not the Middle East.

Geography not my strong point Greg

Roofless Toothless said:

I wouldn't suggest for a moment that people from your part of the world actually treat or respect others any differently, despite the words they might use. It is a matter of being aware of the latest 'acceptable' term.

Being an ancient person I have a bit of trouble trying to keep up with the latest PC terminology, and there have been moments I have got into a bit of trouble over this. As a union rep I was once invited to sit in as an observer on a diversity course my employer (NHS) was running. One of the class found herself being castigated for using the term 'half caste' instead of 'mixed race'. She meant no harm, but was reduced to tears by the facilitator for doing this.

I had to step out of my role temporarily and get involved (my biggest failing in life!) and say that I wasn't aware of this nicety either. I further added that my mother's side of the family was Jewish, and I could assure everybody that when they were being marched into the gas chambers, or (as in my case) to the open graves dug in the forests outside Kiev, the last thing on peoples' minds would have been whether they were being called Yids or Heinies. It was how they were going to be treated that was occupying their thoughts.

Another one you might appreciate was when my son, who lives in a nice county town 15 miles north of Newcastle, asked me not to wear my pink shirt when we went down to the pub! A few years ago, mind you, but it gobsmacked me.

But then, TameRacingDriver, for all your funny ways, you guys do have the privilege of living in one if the most beautiful parts of the country I have ever seen.

Yeah you're right I dont think people here generally treat people differently to other parts of the world - indeed, we have reputation for friendliness - although personally, I don't subscribe to the belief that we're friendlier than anyone else from other parts of the UK - people say cockneys are unfriendly, I have been to London plenty of times and had conversations with the locals, they seemed alright to me, and the ones that I've spoken to up here likewise.... I digress!

I feel your pain about keeping up with the latest terminology... I am not ancient but not young either and yet I already feel like a fossil sometimes! My mouth has inadvertently got me into trouble once or twice down the years without any malice intended at the time. That's why I am a little tired of this 'offended' culture if I'm honest. The funny thing is, it doesn't seem to happen much in reality, more of an online/media thing, most people are relatively down to earth, but to be fair that could simply just be the circles I hang around in; where I work I would say people are probably very different to me but I at least have *some* filter or I probably wouldn't have a job still

This pink shirt incident wasn't in Ashington or Blyth was it? I can totally understand if so but yeah it is a nice part of the world up here. Shame I no longer have a car to enjoy the great roads...

[AC123]

There is absolutely no good reason to be a vegan.

[AstonZagato]

Roofless Toothless said:

Stuff

I think that this is what concerns me the most. It is no longer about the intent of the speaker but rather it is the form of words used that has become important.

[C70R]

Roofless Toothless said:

TameRacingDriver said:

I wonder if it varies by region mind?

I'm from North East england, so probably regarded as a knuckle dragger by our southern friends. None of my friends or me are remotely offended by it and some of our 'banter' is probably rather extreme by some peoples standards if that word upsets them...

I'll consider myself educated on the matter!

My son, raised and educated in Essex (a nice part!) got a job as a manager of a branch of a mobile phone retailer in the Metro Centre. On the first morning he got to know his staff, all local lads, and at lunchtime they announced that they were off to the Poki to get their lunch. (I've changed a letter in that word to make my point.)

My son said, "you can't say that!"

They looked at him with open mouthed amazement, before replying, "but they are, aren't they?"

I think there could well be regional variation in what is deemed offensive. Personally I find the word retard ugly and insensitive, but though I wouldn't use it myself, the abbreviation 'tard does play a pivotal role in what is probably the funniest post ever made on Pistonheads. Spastic became unacceptable many years back, and I am reminded of Ian Dury's amazement that his song Spasticus Autisticus, which he wrote as a protest against the patronising attitude of charities for the disabled, ended up being banned by the BBC!

It is confusing, though. I have trouble understanding why Poki should be deemed so offensive, when Americans are allowed to get away with calling me a Brit. They are both four letter abbreviations of nationality. I really hate being described as a Brit.

Whether something is actually offensive or not is a useless debate.

I just find the level of arrogance/stubbornness to say "surely nobody could be offended by that" absolutely staggering.

[jimPH]

Roofless Toothless said:

TameRacingDriver said:

That seems to confirm it to some degree, to be honest, most things that start down south seem to take their merry time to get up here, if they ever do! Sometimes that's a bad thing - we are normally the last place in the country get any money or investment, but then again, we never really got loads of speed cameras, and are only just now looking at congestion charges and CAZ's so it sometimes has its upsides.

As for the p@ki argument, I always understood that they actually did refer to themselves as that and it wasn't offensive at all... the problem arises when you refer to someone from India or elsewhere in the ME as a....... which is understandable. I can confirm people up here still do say that as well, I hear it quite a lot. That said, I very much doubt anyone saying it bothers to check where they're from anyway....

I wouldn't suggest for a moment that people from your part of the world actually treat or respect others any differently, despite the words they might use. It is a matter of being aware of the latest 'acceptable' term.

Being an ancient person I have a bit of trouble trying to keep up with the latest PC terminology, and there have been moments I have got into a bit of trouble over this. As a union rep I was once invited to sit in as an observer on a diversity course my employer (NHS) was running. One of the class found herself being castigated for using the term 'half caste' instead of 'mixed race'. She meant no harm, but was reduced to tears by the facilitator for doing this.

I had to step out of my role temporarily and get involved (my biggest failing in life!) and say that I wasn't aware of this nicety either. I further added that my mother's side of the family was Jewish, and I could assure everybody that when they were being marched into the gas chambers, or (as in my case) to the open graves dug in the forests outside Kiev, the last thing on peoples' minds would have been whether they were being called Yids or Heinies. It was how they were going to be treated that was occupying their thoughts.

Another one you might appreciate was when my son, who lives in a nice county town 15 miles north of Newcastle, asked me not to wear my pink shirt when we went down to the pub! A few years ago, mind you, but it gobsmacked me.

But then, TameRacingDriver, for all your funny ways, you guys do have the privilege of living in one if the most beautiful parts of the country I have ever seen.

My Nigerian wife uses the term "mixed breed".

[bristolbaron]

Roofless Toothless said:

It is confusing, though. I have trouble understanding why Poki should be deemed so offensive, when Americans are allowed to get away with calling me a Brit. They are both four letter abbreviations of nationality. I really hate being described as a Brit.

Try living as an ethnic minority in another country for a while, until someone calls you a ‘****ing dirty Brit c***’ and spits in your face for no reason other than your appearance. Then repost.