Is this racist?

That's ridiculous though. I've been to hundreds of clubs, bars, restaurants etc all over the world and I don't think I have ever seen a Pakistani/Indian cloakroom attendant

Just because you've never seen a Pakistani cloakroom attendant it doesn't mean that they don't exist and doesn't make it any less racist to make that joke, even if none existed at all.

After all, why is the same joke not about all cloakroom attendants?

I heard a trader down Whitecross St sharing similar jokes a few weeks ago (with an Asian trader on another stall).

Things like:

Q: What do you call an Indian lesbian?
A: Minge Eater.

Well, I thought it was funny. And I can honestly say there wasn't even a modicum of racially motivated nastiness going on. I thought it was funny in a linguistic (and bit rude) way.

I don't have a problem with jokes that use homophonic trickery in a cross-cultural context. If there was something malign contained within the sentiment of the joke, that's another issue.

I think David Jason's comment falls into the same category (although the *real *market trader used the word 'Indian' which handily refers to an entire sub-continent, rather than focussing on a single race).

what a load of old shit! it's nothing more than a play on words. for fuck's sake, some people need to take life seriously.

I've been to India.It was interesting.
Have a nice weekend.

I heard a trader down Whitecross St sharing similar jokes a few weeks ago (with an Asian trader on another stall).

Things like:

Q: What do you call an Indian lesbian?
A: Minge Eater.

Well, I thought it was funny. And I can honestly say there wasn't even a modicum of racially motivated nastiness going on. I thought it was funny in a linguistic (and bit rude) way.

I don't have a problem with jokes that use homophonic trickery in a cross-cultural context. If there was something malign contained within the sentiment of the joke, that's another issue.

I think David Jason's comment fall into the same category (although the *real *market trader used the word 'Indian' which handily refers to an entire sub-continent, rather than focussing on a single race).

Funny, I have seen the same twat giving the same asians the same 'banter', me and picco having coffee there one morning listening to his 'aw its only a bit of fun' type repartee.

Good coffee innit.

It's not racist, and it's probably not middle class white people making a fuss about it either.
It's the fucking useless waste of resources that is the press that is responsible for the whole thing existing in the first place.
It's Friday and the half-brained shit-stirrers haven't anything else to do, so they're laying into this like flies on a pile of a shit.

Just because you've never seen a Pakistani cloakroom attendant it doesn't mean that they don't exist and doesn't make it any less racist to make that joke, even if none existed at all.

After all, why is the same joke not about all cloakroom attendants?

Are you playing devils advocate?

what a load of old shit! it's nothing more than a play on words. for fuck's sake, some people need to take life life seriously.

Life fail.

damn you! shakes fist

Just because you've never seen a Pakistani cloakroom attendant it doesn't mean that they don't exist and doesn't make it any less racist to make that joke, even if none existed at all.

But you were inferring that the joke was racist because it was aimed at the stereotype of Pakistanis working as CR attendants so I was making a point

After all, why is the same joke not about all cloakroom attendants?

Because the silly punchline of Ma Hat Ma Coat sounds like a Pakistani name(for the purpose of the punchline) The joke is stupid and meaningless but definitely not racist

..

damn you! shakes fist

Whoa there - there's no need for blasphemy!

I've been to India.It was interesting.
Have a nice weekend.

End of.

Indian girls are beautiful.

Are you playing devils advocate?

It's entirely possible.

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all this pc bollox is fucknuttish!!!!

What do you call a white englishman celebrating st georges day?

A Racist........

Go figure!!!!

Thing is though when people start twining about what's racist and what's not it's normally middle class, out of touch Whiteys that start kickin off, just to be seen to be 'doing the right thing'

FFS Graham, I've not even replied to the thread yet and you're having a pop! ;p

Because it wouldn't make sense?

What do you call a Russian with three testicles?

Whodyanickabollockoff.

racist.

Pakistanis are not a race.

You would, presumably, regard "Paki" as a racial insult??

However if someone deems it to be offensive then to them it is offensive, you can't deny that. Offense is a personal thing, whether someone is being over sensitive depends alot on context. Down a pub amongst mates you can say things a lot differently and a lot of different things than you can if you are putting yourself in a interview.

I'd like to retain my right to offend people about their beliefs, ie. things that they have chosen. Even attempting to offend someone about something over which they have no control over, seems to me where the line is crossed.

Because it wouldn't make sense?

What do you call a Russian with three testicles?

Whodyanickabollockoff.

Exactly! You wouldn't hear people shouting 'racist' though if it was told on air...

As mentioned before, it's just a silly harmless joke that plays on words

I don't have a problem with jokes that use homophonic trickery in a cross-cultural context. If there was something malign contained within the sentiment of the joke, that's another issue.

I tend to agree with this bmmf, and I think that if I were to find a language in which my name sounded like the word for "smelly bumhole" I would find it funny, not offensive. But, I say that from the priveleged position of being someone who does not have a 'foreign sounding name'. So what the fuck do I know?

Having said that, I have first hand experience of people who have been very offended by exactly this kind of humour. There was also a relatively well publicised instance: Ang lee, the director of the recent Incredible Hulk movie was very put out by the comment "You won't like me when I'm Ang Lee."

I suppose it just comes down to what pisses you off.

Dragonist.

Yet getting fucked up on Guiness on St Patrick's day is totally acceptable.

And don't get me started on sticking leaks up your bottom on St David's day.

apparently st geaorges day isnt all inclusive of its meaning and connotations but st patricks day is?

complete poppius cockious!!!!

People get offended at just about anything these days, if you can tie someone's comment to race or religion in anyway whatsoever, you can bet some black bastard will take offence.

Indian currys are beautiful.

Agreed

normally middle class, out of touch Whiteys

Its quite clear from this there is only one racist here. And classist to boot!