Political Correctness or just Madness?

Did they think that when we left the EU we could have our traditional racism back?


Is the term Rosbif banned in France?

French with Emilie:
In the 19th century, british people started to visit France and the nickname took another meaning: british people take the color of the roastbeef in the sun!
We french people, know how to recognize english people on the beach : there’re the red persons!
Apologies for this article but this is just humor! Most of my english friends are at the moment more brown than I am! By the way, Enjoy this beautiful summer in France!

At least one French woman has a sense of humour.

I knew I shouldn't have ventured to read this thread.

'Frog' is a racist derogatory name for French people. It should be outdated, disused and not at all common any more. It will raise some people's eyebrows.

Wandering off into musings about other versions of English's alternative names for common items is missing the entire point of the thread.. Calling the French 'frogs' is not a harmless alternative name for them.

I really can't understand why people are indignant about the BBC sticking a warning on the film. Does it cause them some personal harm in some way? Did they think that when we left the EU we could have our traditional racism back?

'harmless fun'

Unless you were part of the group being insulted.

My in laws weren't best keen on being referred to as N's or any of the other offensive words.

My nephew didn't deserve being called a m**g or a sp***a.

The BBC are damned if they do and damned if they don't.
No warning, and they will get letters of complaint about the use of the word in question. They give a warning and will no doubt get complaints about that instead.

Actually, I was corrected (by a young English lecturer) at university 25 years ago for translating les français as the French, on the grounds that it could be deemed offensive and I should have used the French people.
I have to admit, that did seem over the top to me at the time, and still does today.

I have no issue with warnings on anything. I can choose to ignore them if they don't apply to me, but have no wish to have others upset by something just because it doesn't bother me, or to inflict my sensitivities on others.

A word like 'frog' in a film about the war wouldn't offend me, but I would rather know in advance if a film had a graphic rape scene, for instance, so that I could be forewarned, as I would find that upsetting. Others might feel the opposite, and neither would be wrong.

I see it as no different from warnings about peanuts or flashing lights. Neither will affect me, but I don't think it's 'going too far' to let people know about them.

MDR
Are French kisses going to come with a warning too?

In Australia I might be asked "You a bloody Pom?" (asked in a friendly manner).

I'm not sure if I want to be called a Rosbif - it conjures up visions of a large red-faced man.
Or has that term been banned in France now?

Or asking your tennis opponent if they fancy a knock up?

GillT57

Anyone else noticed that the ones stirring the pot about perceived racism or offensive language are the same people rejoicing about the hollow 'victory' of Brexit? Or is it just a co-incidence?

Really where? Who? Why jump to this conclusion?

varian

Good point Monica I well remember the reaction of an American student when a British student asked to borrow his rubber.

A colleague told me of her sister's experience of a teaching stint in the USA. She popped to the local Walmart to stock up on a few bits, and asked for 35 rubbers, the assistant almost fainted when Brit asked for "ones with goggly eyes if you have them, please"

We still laugh about our first trip to Australia, when our hosts Father told one of our sons to go get his thongs on the look of horror on DC’s face was an absolute picture!

Thongs are what we in the UK call flip-flops

'The past is another country, they do things differently there'

Ah yes, MOnica Well remembered.

Fanny Bags are used in USA

Thongs in Australia ... flip flops here

Love the Durex story

Good point Monica I well remember the reaction of an American student when a British student asked to borrow his rubber.

'The past is another country, they do things differently there'

Has the BBC really not heard that sentence?

What about modern variations of language from one country to another? Some years ago I worked with an Australian girl who, when she joined the company, referred to sellotape as 'Durex' because that was the trade name of the main brand in Australia. We quickly took her to one side and told her what Durex was in the UK and the word she should be using. Then there was the American whose name was Randolph and aways called 'Randy' without problem in the US, but caused some problems in the UK.

When you consider the number of versions of English there are, what a state of confusion the BBC could be reduced to if everything they broadcast had to take into consideration the versions of English spoken in this very cosmopolitan of countries!

I relish the thought.

A warning is pretty harmless

I always smile when I read mild peril on the children's films

I would not support censoring outmoded language but I think the warning should be there.

GillT57

Anyone else noticed that the ones stirring the pot about perceived racism or offensive language are the same people rejoicing about the hollow 'victory' of Brexit? Or is it just a co-incidence?

Who?

Anyone else noticed that the ones stirring the pot about perceived racism or offensive language are the same people rejoicing about the hollow 'victory' of Brexit? Or is it just a co-incidence?

What next ? An apology before every programme in case of offence ?

Someone badly needs something to do ! ( rolls eyes )

Just basic consideration for others.

The OP is talking about a film!

I have noticed that a special school is now a special needs school. Not sure why, it should be obvious I suppose.

eazybee

Rank stupidity.
How long do you think before special needs is deemed offensive?

I think it already is. I saw it referred to today as inclusive education.

Rank stupidity.
How long do you think before special needs is deemed offensive?