Micheal Martin Chinese Gaffe

BizzyC · 14-02-2011 03:55PM

That's not much to make a deal out of really....

_feedback_ · 14-02-2011 03:57PM

Einhard wrote: »

WTF is so offensive about it? Maybe I'm being particularly dozy today, but I'm at a loss. Perhaps someone could explain it to me? Is it because he put on a Chinese accent?

The attempt at a chinese accent is what people are referring to surely.

It is in-appropriate, in a who really cares kind of way.

It's just not something that somebody in his position should really do I think.

chin_grin · 14-02-2011 03:58PM

What am I rabbling against now?

Einhard · 14-02-2011 04:03PM

elviscostello wrote: »

The attempt at a chinese accent is what people are referring to surely.

It is in-appropriate, in a who really cares kind of way.

It's just not something that somebody in his position should really do I think.

Oh for God's sake, he was imitating a Chinese person and he put on a Chinese accent!! What the hell is offensive about that? If it was a caricature of an accent, and he done the whole goofy teeth thing, said solly and mentioned flied lice I'dunderstand the outrage, but nothing he said was in anyway racist or offensive.

Unless people think that the Chinese accent itself is somehow offensive? Would people get so angsty had he put on an American accent whilst telling a story about an American executive?

The ability of some here to take vicarious offence when none is implied or intended is amazing.

Nodin · 14-02-2011 04:05PM

darkman2 wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x5Rcc17eb8

We should'nt make too much of it maybe....caught this morning with this so he was - the ex Minister for Foreign Affairs there...

"that's terrible Joe..."

Martin tries accent and fails....not really worth the effort of putting up on youtube.

_feedback_ · 14-02-2011 04:07PM

Einhard wrote: »

Oh for God's sake, he was imitating a Chinese person and he put on a Chinese accent!! What the hell is offensive about that? If it was a caricature of an accent, and he done the whole goofy teeth thing, said solly and mentioned flied lice I'dunderstand the outrage, but nothing he said was in anyway racist or offensive.

Unless people think that the Chinese accent itself is somehow offensive? Would people get so angsty had he put on an American accent whilst telling a story about an American executive?

The ability of some here to take vicarious offence when none is implied or intended is amazing.

Where are you seeing all the offense and outrage?

All that I'm saying is it isn't something that a potential Taoiseach should do.

It's inappropriate

minidazzler · 14-02-2011 04:12PM

Debthree wrote: »

LMAO! What a tool! Anyone who says this isn't a big deal is seriously delusional. This is extremely unprofessional and offensive, albeit urine-leakingly hilarious too.

There is nothing offensive or funny about it TBH, it's a brief snippet of an accent the way he was told something. No problem repeating. Just because people find it offensive does not make it offensive in and of itself. I'd like a get a chinese persons opinion on it, guarantee they are generally OK with it. It's not like it was an attack on them.

Ill-advised, possibly, offensive, not a chance.

Dymo · 14-02-2011 04:32PM

I wonder for authenticity did he also squint his eye's while doing the accent?

Einhard · 14-02-2011 04:44PM

elviscostello wrote: »

Where are you seeing all the offense and outrage?

Well here for instance:

Debthree wrote: »

LMAO! What a tool! Anyone who says this isn't a big deal is seriously delusional. This is extremely unprofessional and offensive, albeit urine-leakingly hilarious too.

And the fact that it's even being discussed, let alone described as a "gaffe" and a "clanger".

It's not even inappropriate. If I were imitating an American, I'd probably put on an American accent. Same with a Cork person, or a French person. Would that be inappropriate too?

Unless you think there's something horrendously inappropriate about the Chinese accent itself, I fail to see what the fuss is about.

_feedback_ · 14-02-2011 04:48PM

Einhard wrote: »

It's not even inappropriate. If I were imitating an American, I'd probably put on an American accent. Same with a Cork person, or a French person. Would that be inappropriate too?

I wouldn't think that you doing it is inappropriate . . But you aren't the leader of a big political party. If he done that in the position of Taoiseach he would look like a right tool!

Einhard · 14-02-2011 04:51PM

elviscostello wrote: »

I wouldn't think that you doing it is inappropriate . . But you aren't the leader of a big political party. If he done that in the position of Taoiseach he would look like a right tool!

But if it's offensive and racist (as some have alleged), then it shouldn't matter who does the accent. I agree it doesn't look great for Martin, but that's because he did such a crap accent, not because he done one in the first place.

Cú Giobach · 14-02-2011 04:53PM

Einhard wrote: »

It's not even inappropriate. If I were imitating an American, I'd probably put on an American accent. Same with a Cork person, or a French person. Would that be inappropriate too?

Unless you think there's something horrendously inappropriate about the Chinese accent itself, I fail to see what the fuss is about.

The big difference being you are not the leader of a major(ish at this stage) political party speaking on air.
Totally inappropriate (and embarrassing) for someone in his position to do this in public.

_feedback_ · 14-02-2011 04:55PM

Einhard wrote: »

But if it's offensive and racist (as some have alleged), then it shouldn't matter who does the accent. I agree it doesn't look great for Martin, but that's because he did such a crap accent, not because he done one in the first place.

Ha, agreed on the accent!

I'll leave the offensive and racist stuff to whoever else feels a spot of outrage coming on.

Down with this sort of thing

Einhard · 14-02-2011 04:56PM

Cú Giobach wrote: »

The big difference being you are not the leader of a major(ish at this stage) political party speaking on air.
Totally inappropriate (and embarrassing) for someone in his position to do this in public.

Seriously, if it's offensive, it's offensive. It shouldn't matter who is doing the accent, or making the comment. How can an accent be offensive from one person, and be totally fine from another, when neither meant any offence?

If Martin had done an American accent, would you think it similarly inappropriate?

aDeener · 14-02-2011 04:56PM

Kasabian wrote: »

I was watching News at 1 on RTE 1. No mention there.

If he were to become Taoiseach and drops a clanger like this when talking with Merkel or Sarkosy I would see it been a big deal.

It would be a big deal in my job if I started mimicking my companies customers in Asia while referring to them in a meeting.

a clanger?? are you fuckin serious? :rolleyes:

Einhard · 14-02-2011 04:56PM

elviscostello wrote: »

Ha, agreed on the accent!

I'll leave the offensive and racist stuff to whoever else feels a spot of outrage coming on.

Down with this sort of thing

Careful now.

marzic · 14-02-2011 05:19PM

The Chinese Embassy has commented... "we are aware that Mr.Martin has insulted the Chinese people, he think we know fcuk-nothing, but we know fcuk-all!":D

marzic · 14-02-2011 05:21PM

some of my best friends....jpg

Monty Burnz · 14-02-2011 05:32PM

Einhard wrote: »

WTF is so offensive about it? Maybe I'm being particularly dozy today, but I'm at a loss. Perhaps someone could explain it to me? Is it because he put on a Chinese accent?

Yeah, it's the whole...

"When I meet the Mexican business leaders, they have one strong refrain, one repeated demand - they say 'arriba! arriba! andale! YEEHAA! YEEHAA!'"

Cú Giobach · 14-02-2011 05:34PM

Einhard wrote: »

Seriously, if it's offensive, it's offensive. It shouldn't matter who is doing the accent, or making the comment. How can an accent be offensive from one person, and be totally fine from another, when neither meant any offence?

If Martin had done an American accent, would you think it similarly inappropriate?

Of course.
When is the last time you heard a politician from any country putting on an accent in this kind of context. It's just not done, one very good reason being if a politician was complaining about another and put on an accent while quoting him/her it could be taken as offensive and affect future relations with said politician or even country.
I personally don't find this offensive just very unprofessional and totally inappropriate.

Monty Burnz · 14-02-2011 05:35PM

Einhard wrote: »

It's not even inappropriate. If I were imitating an American, I'd probably put on an American accent. Same with a Cork person, or a French person. Would that be inappropriate too?

So if Inda Kinny was quoting something that Barack Obama said, it wouldn't be inappopriate to say it in a cartoon American accident?

dj jarvis · 14-02-2011 05:58PM

Listen if he done a English accent or American or god forbid a Australian one when talking about any of the above country's it would be totally out of place and unacceptable from a WANNA be states man ,

in fairness WHO THE F**K does chinese accents in public anymore let alone when being recorded for national media in the middle of a election campaign is a plank and needs to be restrained in a dark basement and not let out

just goes to show FF aint changed one bit

and this gimp was trying to drum up business abroad ???? no wonder we are f*****D

and once again the irish peoples name gets dragged into the mud once again by FF

i would say meehall is so so srry

Renn · 14-02-2011 05:59PM

Einhard wrote: »

It's not even inappropriate. If I were imitating an American, I'd probably put on an American accent. Same with a Cork person, or a French person. Would that be inappropriate too?

Inappropriate/silly/etc...