Using the term Paki

uch · 13-11-2013 05:03PM

FTA69 wrote: »

I think the problem with that term is that many Travellers view it as slightly inaccurate due to the fact they rarely use the term about themselves. They call themselves "Pavee" or just "Travellers".

Words like "tinker" are antiquated and viewed as patronising. Words like "knacker", "gypo" and "Pikey" are downright pejorative.

I know a few Travellers and none of them mind being referred to as Gypsies

FTA69 · 13-11-2013 05:04PM

Deleted User wrote: »

In that case I see little issue with it, the joke has nothing to do with the use of "paki".

The term Paki is a racist term that most Asians find deeply offensive. Using the term in a joke to perpetuate a stereotype is fairly risky carry-on like. Is that a joke you'd honestly feel comfortable telling in the presence of a Pakistani?

elefant · 13-11-2013 05:05PM

I'd have no problem with someone calling me a Paddy if it wasn't in a malicious way.

I suppose that's where some confusion would arise with the use of the term Paki. The term seems to be taboo regardless of how it's used.

FTA69 · 13-11-2013 05:05PM

uch wrote: »

I know a few Travellers and none of them mind being referred to as Gypsies

A lot of them wouldn't I suppose; it isn't an offensive term really.

Riskymove · 13-11-2013 05:06PM

elefant wrote: »

I suppose that's where some confusion would arise with the use of the term Paki. The term seems to be taboo regardless of how it's used.

well, as many have said, its not a term that is used in any other way really

DEFTLEFTHAND · 13-11-2013 05:06PM

DellyBelly wrote: »

But it can be used in a racist way in this joke for example:
"Why did the romans build straight roads? So pakis couldn't build corner shops"

That's a good one. I'm going to use that.

When I went to Australia I asked and Australian friend is there many abo's in the Melbourne City and was quickly told that was not the right thing to call them. I though Aussie's shortened all names e.g university - uni afternoon - arvo etc but you can 't use the term abo's for Aborigines apartently[/QUOTE]

Abo is a racial slur out there. I've heard 'Roo bars' on the front of 4x4's called Abo bars before.

Mint Aero · 13-11-2013 05:07PM

I've loads of colleagues from Pakistan. They've no problem whatsoever with me using the term paki.

Irish Guitarist · 13-11-2013 05:10PM

Strituck wrote: »

Jesus , Dot the racist lol.

But its true, I do remember when using P**i was not insulting or racist.

It was racist back then too. Eastenders was reflecting the racism that was around in Britain at the time. The eighties saw a rise in the number of Asian owned corner shops in Britain and a lot of white British people didn't like it.

Eastenders was very realistic in portraying things like this before it got watered down over the years.

As well as being racist Dot Cotton was a religious nutter who hated gays and pre-marital sex. In one episode she said that AIDS was a punishment from God.

MonstaMash · 13-11-2013 05:12PM

Mint Aero wrote: »

I've loads of colleagues from Pakistan. They've no problem whatsoever with me using the term paki.

I also have a lot of colleagues from Pakistan & they would find it highly offensive...

RoboRat · 13-11-2013 05:13PM

Reminds me of my time in college... one night in a bar with my mate Pascal (aka Packie) and he was at the bar, I shout over Packie, get me a pint ya tight bastard (he was always welching on rounds). Didn't realise there was about 5 Pakistani guys standing at the bar and no amount of explaining was going to wash. Ended up being a big fight.

Mint Aero · 13-11-2013 05:16PM

MonstaMash wrote: »

I also have a lot of colleagues from Pakistan & they would find it highly offensive...

Yeah right, tell em get over it. Every country gets shortened. Big deal.

MonstaMash · 13-11-2013 05:20PM

Mint Aero wrote: »

Yeah right, tell em get over it. Every country gets shortened. Big deal.

Not my right to tell them what they should or should not be offended by...I'll leave that to you sunshine

Riskymove · 13-11-2013 05:20PM

Mint Aero wrote: »

Yeah right, tell em get over it. Every country gets shortened. Big deal.

yeah I mean we are all Ires and our near neighbours the Engs:pac:

endacl · 13-11-2013 05:22PM

Riskymove wrote: »

yeah I mean we are all Ires and our near neighbours the Engs:pac:

No. Our near neighbours are the Wellies.

Mint Aero · 13-11-2013 05:23PM

Riskymove wrote: »

yeah I mean we are all Ires and our near neighbours the Engs:pac:

They're Brits innit

super_furry · 13-11-2013 05:24PM

If the people it's aimed at have a problem with it, you shouldn't use it. Simple as that really.

Mint Aero · 13-11-2013 05:28PM

super_furry wrote: »

If the people it's aimed at have a problem with it, you shouldn't use it. Simple as that really.

Yeah right, and when has that applied to anyone ever?! :pac:

endacl · 13-11-2013 05:29PM

Mint Aero wrote: »

Yeah right, and when has that applied to anyone ever?! :pac:

It applies to grown up people all the time. Has done for ages...

13-11-2013 05:37PM

FTA69 wrote: »

The term Paki is a racist term that most Asians find deeply offensive. Using the term in a joke to perpetuate a stereotype is fairly risky carry-on like. Is that a joke you'd honestly feel comfortable telling in the presence of a Pakistani?

Did you quote the wrong post or something?

elefant · 13-11-2013 05:42PM

Riskymove wrote: »

well, as many have said, its not a term that is used in any other way really

I get that. My point was that the fact other terms that might be sometimes considered derogatory are not always so (eg. 'Paddy'), it might be the cause of some confusion about the term 'Paki'.

I'm going to be honest here and admit I didn't know that the term 'Paki' is always considered a slur, although I wouldn't use it myself.

I Heart Internet · 13-11-2013 05:43PM

Similar to Irish people being called Paddies.

I don't like being called a Paddy. It's insulting.

I imagine it's the same for people from Pakistan being called a Paki.

Both terms, Paddy and Paki, are used, in the majority of cases, to belittle people. I don't like them.

Irish Guitarist · 13-11-2013 05:44PM

I'm 37 and for as long as I can remember the word 'paki' has been a racial slur. It's not like people have just suddenly decided that it's politically incorrect.

Paki acquired offensive connotations in the 1960s when used by British tabloids to refer to subjects of former colony states in a derogatory and racist manner. In modern British usage "Paki" is typically a derogatory label used for all South Asians, including Indians, Afghans and Bangladeshis. To a lesser extent, it has also been applied to Arabs and others perceived to resemble South Asians. During the 60's many emigrants were also dubbed as "black" to further segregate them from the white community. Some would say such a division still exists in parts of England.

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Paki

Sir Gallagher · 13-11-2013 05:51PM

The feigned ignorance of boards racists always makes me laugh.

Penny Dreadful · 13-11-2013 05:53PM

iDave wrote: »

Well if jokes about space monkeys are now racist well then yeah I can see how Paki will be construed as racism. Pretty much any word/phrase other than the correct official word for the nationality/race is now racist. Unless your white or European. Then frog/kraut/paddy/prod etc are acceptable.

As a white European I don't think they are acceptable. I dislike the term "Paddy".

old hippy · 13-11-2013 05:56PM

Brutal Deluxe wrote: »

It's not that hard to understand.
For years in the UK and Ireland it's been the same as calling a black fella golliwog or blackie, it's offensive since it's been used as an insult for so long.

It's like Jap. In America it's considered a pretty big slur. Here, not so much

Trust me, we've heard it at home and here in London, it's not appreciated

RoboRat · 13-11-2013 05:56PM

Then frog/kraut/paddy/prod etc are acceptable.

If you called a German a Kraut they would punch you. As for Paddy or Prod, both are insulting.

Frog... well the French would have a protest but eventually give in. :-P

endacl · 13-11-2013 05:57PM

Penny Dreadful wrote: »

As a white European I don't think they are acceptable. I dislike the term "Paddy".

I'm going to chuck the 'lighten up FFS willya. Its only a bit o' craic' comment in at this point. I agree with you. I just wanted to get the phrase out of the way before somebody used it seriously.

old hippy · 13-11-2013 05:57PM

Sir Gallagher wrote: »

The feigned ignorance of boards racists always makes me laugh.

It's almost like they do it to get a response :rolleyes:

endacl · 13-11-2013 05:58PM

RoboRat wrote: »

If you called a German a Kraut they would punch you.

Of course they would. As would I if I was referred to as a cabáiste...

RoboRat · 13-11-2013 06:02PM

Of course they would. As would I if I was referred to as a cabáiste...

Its more about the association of that name with Nazi soldiers during WWII actually

Using the term Paki

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