Why are some names acceptable and others not.

[rogerthomas]

There are many questions on here that refer to Brits (British people) and elsewhere I have seen references to Aussies (Australian people). Why then would I be frowned upon or even labelled a racist if I refer to ***** (Pakistani people).

[rogerthomas]

I can't believe what I'm seeing. I sure you have worked out that the deleted word is pak15. This proves my point. Why is this word unacceptable when the other words I mentioned are not.

[joko]

the word itself is just a shortened form of the longer word and were it not for the derogatory way it is usually used, most asians wouldn't mind the word being used.

it is others races intonation, intention and meaning when saying this word that has made it unnacceptable. it is the same sort of situation with n1gger or negro, and why black people can use the word to each other but no-one else can - same as asians

phrases like 'pakki shop'. 'effing pakki', etc that have created this

[noxlumos]

The problem with the term you are referring to is that it was used in the past and has negative connotations.Asians from all communities had to suffer the use of that word as a form of abuse whether they came from Pakistan, Sri Lanka or wherever.It has historically never been used as a simple abbreviation, as has Brit or Aussie, it was always associated with the far right, National Front and racism in general.Unfortunately there has always been an element within our society that can't be bothered to find out where anyone with a brown face is from, they just use the universal words of P**i or N****r as historically these have been insulting and that's the feeling they wish to inflict upon the recipient.

[gary baldy]

This isnt a question of semantics, this is a question of what and what is not socially acceptable language.
As it is many people find the P word and the N word unacceptable because of their historical associations and we , as a tolerent society, should respect that.

[WaldoMcFroog]

I believe I'm right in saying that in North America the shortened term is employed with no problems. The reason for this, is simply that there are none of the negative connotations that have become attached the word as it was typically used in the UK (as pointed out by the previous respondents).

[NORMANTHEDOG]

it wasent such a long time ago that if you called a black man Black,he objected very strongly.But now he would want to be referred to as Black.Very strange.

[Hermia]

That word is used in North America with no problems. I was taken aback when a guy I was speaking to used it to describe himself. He said it was just the same as a British person describing himself as a Brit. When I explained to him that racists scrawl it on walls etc he was really shocked.

[Hermia]

NORMANTHEDOG - it is hard to keep up with changes in language. My mum used to be told that she mustn't call people black, she must call them coloured. Then she was told that she mustn't call them coloured, she must call them black. Now, her work colleague has said she wants to be referred to as a person of colour. My mum is getting on a bit and finds it hard to remember. I've got a deaf friend and she has changed the way she wants to be referred to 3 times in the last few years.

I guess people outside a particular minority should make an effort to find out what people want to be called. And people within a particular minority need to understand that some people sometimes forget what the correct term is!

[theo_wyvern]

possibly because it was generally used for all asians before actually checking where the person was from.

[WoWo]

Personally I can't see why you need a word. Why do we need to mention the fact somebody is black/Asian etc ?

we had a similar discussion a few weeks ago at work, with half having the original point that it was a descriptive word and therefore shouldn't be a problem.

But at the end of the day it makes no difference to me, I'll simply use the extended version if the need arises, i.e. Pakistani

[WoWo]

"possibly because it was generally used for all asians before actually checking where the person was from. "

If somebody used the word "Frog" to me I wouldn't give a monkeys, if people want to be ignorant go for it.

[Drusilla]

I'm not that keen on being called a Brit. I always associate it with a derogatory Irish republican term of abuse that was picked up by the Americans. I am a sensitive soul, however, so everybody else probably accepts Brits as OK.

[henneth]

In the U.S you rarely here the word Oriental for an east Asian. I use that term in the U.K. but I've been it's not acceptable in the States.

Although the word Black is used, most Americans (or should I say Yanks in keeping with the theme of this thread) will use the term African-American. Possibly overdoing it somewhat. I remember somebody refering to Othello as 'that African-American character from Shakespeare'!!!

[jenpat]

I too don`t like being referred to as a brit...then again, I don`t like my husband being referred to as a paddy...you just have to accept it and get on with your life...

[1rovert]

I don�t mind what I�m called, as long as its spelt right on the cheque.