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Should calling someone a Culchie be a sacking offence?

Wombatman

Some guy at Netflix just lost his job for using the N-word. Surely the same should apply to use of the word Culchie?

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cournioni

JRant wrote: »

I prefer to use the terms Spudheads or Rockmunchers as they are far better descripters than culchie.

What makes you think that Dubs have impunity from the above phrases?

Franz Von Peppercorn

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I've always wondered this... how long does one have to live in Dublin before they stop being a culchie? Is it simply moving to Dublin, or if their family remains outside of Dublin do they remain Culchies? Do you have to be born there? How many people who live in Dublin and it's suburbs were actually born there? Makes me wonder how many of you are calling their parents Culchies.

And then, there's experience. I'm from the midlands but have lived in New York, Beijing, Xi'an, etc, all cities far bigger and modern than Dublin, but when in Ireland, I won't live in Dublin.. so I must be a Culchie then? Dublin is a rather low standard to reach if it stops you from being a culchie.

Don't get me wrong. I don't mind being called a Culchie, but I really don't see this pride many of you have about being from Dublin. Now, if you were talking about Munich or Berlin, I might understand... but Dublin? :rolleyes:

Yeh, it’s rubbish.

Actually it’s a sign of small town provincialism. In New York you could have called yourself, without much dispute, a New Yorker. That’s someone who lives in New York. Similar to a Londoner being a present inhabitant of London. According to a documentary I recently watched it’s rare to meet someone in San Francisco who is born there. So most San Franciscans weren’t born there.

What Dublin shares with Kiltimagh is that you are always a blow in if not born here. Not much of a world city then.

[Deleted User]

Caliden wrote: »

Whatever happened to sticks and stones?

It's in the same rubbish bin as common sense, and personal responsibility.

aidoh

JRant wrote: »

I prefer to use the terms Spudheads or Rockmunchers as they are far better descripters than culchie.

LOL at Rockmunchers - never heard that one before!

But I did once meet a South African chap on holidays before who referred to us (Irish people) as "spud n****rs".

Caliden

Paddy Cow wrote: »

Serious question here (well as serious as it could be for AH). We know that using the N word is a no no in America. If someone uses it in Ireland does it generate the same sh!t storm?

It's only a no-no if you're not black.

It's just a word.
Whatever happened to sticks and stones?

Keyzer

Wombatman wrote: »

Some guy at Netflix just lost his job for using the N-word. Surely the same should apply to use of the word Culchie?

Fúckoff

[Deleted User]

Paddy Cow wrote: »

Serious question here (well as serious as it could be for AH). We know that using the N word is a no no in America. If someone uses it in Ireland does it generate the same sh!t storm?

Not really, no. Irish people have a history of being slaves to Africans, not owning African slaves. (The Barbary Slave Trade)

If you hear someone say it here, it's just a very racist and stupid thing to say. Whereas in America, it's got a huge historical aspect that can only exist there.

[Deleted User]

ligerdub wrote: »

Consider the situation though. A colleague going around the place slagging off "culchies" all day every day at work is much more of a problem to the atmosphere in a working environment that somebody who uses another racist term but purely for reference purposes. The whole "n word" thing is a total cop-out, absolutely everyone who hears that expression will immediately think the full word in their head when heard. It's a largely redundant exercise.

It's also a bit of a over-hyped word because black people promote it more than people of other races. Many black people use the word to their friends, it's part of their music and general culture. It's just "bad" if a white person uses it. It's like the way they call women "bitches". For all the negativity about these words, black people promote a massive amount of hypocrisy.

As for culchie, I agree with you. It depends on the situation and the emotional background to the usage of the word. If someone uses in sparingly in a humorous fashion, I wouldn't be bothered in the slightest. If someone throws it at me as an insult and is obvious seeking a confrontation, I'll get annoyed... since I don't see others being any better than I am simply because of where I'm from. I've travelled more extensively than most people I've met, and experienced far more this world has to offer... but some fool thinks I'm somehow less than them because I'm from the countryside? meh.

It shows just how little class the person using it actually has. Obviously, they're a complete retard.

[Deleted User]

I've always wondered this... how long does one have to live in Dublin before they stop being a culchie? Is it simply moving to Dublin, or if their family remains outside of Dublin do they remain Culchies? Do you have to be born there? How many people who live in Dublin and it's suburbs were actually born there? Makes me wonder how many of you are calling their parents Culchies.

And then, there's experience. I'm from the midlands but have lived in New York, Beijing, Xi'an, etc, all cities far bigger and modern than Dublin, but when in Ireland, I won't live in Dublin.. so I must be a Culchie then? Dublin is a rather low standard to reach if it stops you from being a culchie.

Don't get me wrong. I don't mind being called a Culchie, but I really don't see this pride many of you have about being from Dublin. Now, if you were talking about Munich or Berlin, I might understand... but Dublin? :rolleyes:

endacl

andekwarhola wrote: »

I never liked the phrase.

'Mulla' is better (or however you spell it)

W-o-o-l-l-y-b-a-c-k

andekwarhola

I never liked the phrase.

'Mulla' is better (or however you spell it)

pablo128

There of course is one exception and that's Offaly. They're Biffo's.

Paddy Cow

Serious question here (well as serious as it could be for AH). We know that using the N word is a no no in America. If someone uses it in Ireland does it generate the same sh!t storm?

RandomName2

Wombatman wrote: »

Some guy at Netflix just lost his job for using the N-word. Surely the same should apply to use of the word Culchie?

I will fight your madness with more madness.

Anyone who has mentioned the hair color of Ed Sheeran should have their social media accounts revoked :mad:

ligerdub

Rowen Dazzling Monster wrote: »

The comparison is odious and shows a complete ignorance of the topic. Ludicrous thread.

Nice sounding collection of words there, but ultimately hollow and empty.

You've decided to completely dismiss any potential discussion at all, well done. It must be easy living that sort of policy. You might have taken the opportunity to give your view beyond soundbites. I can only deduce by your post that you don't consider using the word "culchie" to be a sackable offence. Fair enough, I agree in general, but how are you going to feel should that materialise in the not too distant future, which isn't that ridiculous the way things are going around policing language?

I don't think the OP was stating that one is as offensive as the other, but more along the lines of prodding where the line is drawn, and asking a question as to where offence is drawn, specifically the offence sufficient enough for somebody to lose their job.

As for the poster who used slavery as a reason why it shouldn't be said. Give me strength! Slavery is nothing to do with it, and as far as I know the term wasn't used in that sort of vitriolic sense until much more recently. Would that term be alright to say, assuming the same intent and usage by the person using it, but erasing slavery of black people from existence? There have been plenty of slaves, from all over the world, in various shades of skin tone. The word slave comes from "slavs", not exactly the heart of Congo.

I understand that there does need to be an extra layer of sensitivity towards black people in the United States (note use of "in the United States"), but you don't do that by being patronising and wrapping them in cotton wool, if you excuse the expression! People shouldn't say that word because of slavery, they shouldn't use it because it's intent as it is known currently is vitriolic in nature and used to keep people down, that's reason enough.

Having some sort of league table in terms of who you are allowed use vitriolic terms for doesn't really appeal to me in an equal society. I mean should we as Irish people not be called Paddy's because of the famine or something along those lines? No, it's usage is generally along the lines of a slur, and I'd rather not be called one by somebody who is merely a colleague, or by somebody trying to get a rise out of me. At what low bar of historical damage inflicted on certain groups by other groups not necessarily one shared by me can I start using racist slurs against them? The French perhaps.

I'm not particularly fond of this idea of word usage being acceptable by one group, but completely unacceptable by another. There was a rather ludicrous example recently where a hip-hop star invited a white audience member on-stage to sing one of his songs. He scolded and shamed her in front of the crowd when she sang along and said the word I'd be censured for using on here. Perhaps don't put the words in your songs if you don't want people to say them.

As for that chap at Netflix, he danced with the devil for too long. Netflix are obviously biased towards the more lefty stance, and have made a lot of shows along these lines. These guys eventually eat their own. He wasn't using any terms as slurs, and we don't know if this was just a convenient reason for them to get rid of him and look good at the same time. He should have known better to take a chance in that company, so I don't really feel that sorry for him.

As for the word "culchie" (I won't get censured for using that one), I think this sort of thing is best dealt with by saying to the person's face that you'd rather not be called that if that's your view. If somebody is being deliberately provocative or passive aggressive then tell them to cut it out, politely or otherwise. If they still don't do it then escalate and see how it goes. I think it's fair to say that the origin of the term is probably not the kindest, and I dare say not everyone likes the word, probably laughing it off most of the time. There is a sense of "you are an outsider" message to the piece, although to be fair you'd have to consider usage, and most likely used for mild ribbing between friends. It's not the same as someone saying it to you the first time you meet them.

Consider the situation though. A colleague going around the place slagging off "culchies" all day every day at work is much more of a problem to the atmosphere in a working environment that somebody who uses another racist term but purely for reference purposes. The whole "n word" thing is a total cop-out, absolutely everyone who hears that expression will immediately think the full word in their head when heard. It's a largely redundant exercise.

tomofson

NO! seriously everybody needs to lighten up around this PC brigade bull****.

Peatys

Wombatman wrote: »

Some guy at Netflix just lost his job for using the N-word. Surely the same should apply to use of the word Culchie?

He didn't call anyone a nagger. He was in a meeting discussing terms that were suitable/unsuitable for comedy.

A couple of people took offence.

endofrainbow

Apparently the word comes from Kil ti magh (try saying it in a Mayo accent) Louis Walsh anyone ?

Paddy Cow

I read a post recently enough on boards about a Cork guy who was working in America and he got fired for saying boy to an African American. Be warned Corkonians, drop your colloquialisms if working in America

Franz Von Peppercorn

whisky_galore wrote: »

Not in quite the same way, or scale, bud.

Some still are... how many Irish people are slaves?

https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/countingthecost/2017/11/migrants-sale-slave-trade-libya-171126063748575.html

More important than slavery is the famine. This was generally suffered by culchies, it doesn’t look like Dublin suffered that much, and the middle classes not at all.

Irish Guitarist

You can't compare the two.

No one has made a fortune from being in a rap band called Culchiez With Attitude, recorded songs with titles like The Culcie Ya Love To Hate and Fuck The Gardai then given a lecture on television about using 'that word'.

Paddy Cow

JRant wrote: »

I prefer to use the terms Spudheads or Rockmunchers as they are far better descripters than culchie.

I prefer the term "spud gobbler" :P

randylonghorn

As always, it's all about context / intent, but as a proud ruralite / culchie myself, I find it hard to imagine a context where I would take that much offense tbh.

Just as my mates have learned never to call me a wanker, I just invariably reply "Yeah, I've got a hobby I enjoy, so what? You'll hit puberty some day too! :rolleyes:"

Grayson wrote: »

You do realise that you don't get to make the definition. And the work is used by Dublin people to describe that someone is not from Dublin.

That's the thing, words often have different definitions in different places / contexts. Dictionaries can't list all the variations.

A resident of a small town in Ireland is a culchie to a Dub, but is in turn likely to refer to those living a mile or two outside said town as a culchie, and he's a townie to them!

somefeen

Vita nova wrote: »

Here we go again!

I don't know why you need to lump everybody outside Dublin into one category; it's quite a diverse region made up of rural and urban areas, rich fertile plains and sparse mountains, bogs and coastal areas

And Cork. Don't forget Cork.

cournioni

Wombatman wrote: »

Some guy at Netflix just lost his job for using the N-word. Surely the same should apply to use of the word Culchie?

Not exactly a sackable offense. Unoriginal and used mainly by knuckle draggers but I wouldn’t sack them over it.

pickarooney

Grayson wrote: »

Apparently he did it twice after being told not to after the first time. The second time he was talking to a group of black staffers after the first time.

No, that bit is wrong. He said the word in a meeting about offensive words. Then he said he wouldn't say it again. Then he had a meeting with black staffers and didn't say sorry for saying that word some other time. Then he said it again in a meeting about a meeting. I think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbO5h8Ctfs8

pickarooney

whisky_galore wrote: »

Since when have Culchies been enslaved?

World of a difference there.

Around they time one of them stole Trevelyan's corn so his young might see the morn, I think.

farmchoice

Vita nova wrote: »

Here we go again!

I don't know why you need to lump everybody outside Dublin into one category; it's quite a diverse region made up of rural and urban areas, rich fertile plains and sparse mountains, bogs and coastal areas. People from the northern counties can differ significantly in personality from those from southern counties etc. Btw, I can say that as someone who has lived in 6 different counties on both sides of the island, and in urban and rural areas.

Even if you do want to pigeon-hole them then why use a label which would be widely regarded as a synonym for an unsophisticated rural dweller.

surely thats the whole point of terms like that, to make sweeping generalizations.

its like when i meet a dub they jibe me about being a culchie and i ask them if they could steal that car there right now and do they do a lot of heroin and are they with the kinahans or the hutchs, this obviously works best if they are a southside posh boy, its not much good if they are an actual howaya.

realdanbreen

Wibbs wrote: »

And much of Dubliners higher taxes go to financially support and subsidise the rest of the countryOTE]

Yes exactly my point!, and they still think they are smaaarter than us !!:D:D

Vita nova

shakeitoff wrote: »

......

Culchie= Anyone outside Dubland.

Here we go again!

I don't know why you need to lump everybody outside Dublin into one category; it's quite a diverse region made up of rural and urban areas, rich fertile plains and sparse mountains, bogs and coastal areas. People from the northern counties can differ significantly in personality from those from southern counties etc. Btw, I can say that as someone who has lived in 6 different counties on both sides of the island, and in urban and rural areas.

Even if you do want to pigeon-hole them then why use a label which would be widely regarded as a synonym for an unsophisticated rural dweller.