bcworld

There was absolutely no insinuation! Can you highlight it in the OP?

Bibbs

If you actually use that term in conversation, the USA might be better for you. What a pathetic American insult.



Australia may *seem* more racist, but that is because racist terms in the UK are used here in a non-offensive manner.

Skippies, poms, wogs and pakkis* are all terms for groups of people with similar ethnic backgrounds. After living in the UK for 20 years, I hear these sorts words used in Aus and still wince a bit. They are usually used by the people to describe themselves.

(*Other terms are available)

bignick

These words have not yet been sanitized by the do-gooder PC brigade, and I hope they never do! Amen to Australia 4 that. I am Scottish and don't mind being called a Jock/Porridge wog etc etc, yet in some UK quarters certain words are a no-no (pakis eg... a simple shortening of Pakistani same as Scot and Scottish). I get even more confused when some words become a no go for one section to use but ok for another (n****r comes to mind) If people don't want to be called it then don't use the word themselves...reasonable wouldn't u say??

I am also noticing that the word racist tends to be used against mainly white males, yet other sections of society can hurl the 'racist' slanders with complete impunity.

My wife has also noticed this....and shes Asian
Still...what can u do.......

Pollyana

I wasn't aware that the "N"word was used by or acceptable to any part of society nowadays? Same as "Paki", generally used as an oiffensive term and not one we encourage on here; I struggle to see the similarity between that and "Scot"

Bermudashorts

Agree Polly. I don't mind being referred to as a Pom and it is definitely not the same as calling someone a Paki.

Before I moved here, I had read that it was simply a shortening, now I am here I would have to say that is untrue. I cannot imagine any Australian I know using terms like that and thinking it was ok.

chris955

Yes I agree, I cant see any of our Australian friends using the term full stop. I have heard sports commentators using it almost as if it is acceptable. It has absolutely nothing to do with being PC or any of that nonsense, there is plenty of PC crap in Australia, it is just a matter of respect.

chris955

No problem. Some people can be quite precious and sensitive about their new home and arent keen on any perceived slur.

Beoz

In the UK the term "Paki" has been deemed offensive and in Australia it is deemed as a shortening of the word or country Pakistan. Perhaps this is because the immigration of Pakistani people is far less in Australia therefore there is no need to group Pakistani's.

There was a TV commericial in Australia in the 80's that advertised the cricket triangular series and the catch cry went something like "here we go, the Aussies, the Windies, the Paki's". No offense was intended and no one jumped up and down like a PC prat.

Did an Australian ever take offense to being called an "Aussie"?

bcworld

So what about abo? Abbreviation or offensive?

Beoz

What do you think? The point being is what is good for one should be good for all. If you can shorten or stick a vowel on the end of one nation or racial group then why can't you do it for another. It's more discriminatry to say "oh it's OK for the Aussies but no good for the Pakis .... whoops sorry ... the Pakistani's" - you get what I mean.

moneypenny20

Whilst I accept that many consider these terms abhorrent, I will always consider them simple shortened terms. Until of course, they are used with aggression and/or an abusive word before them. Paki/Abo/Pom/Jock in my mind is harmless. Someone saying aggressively ****ing Pak/Abo/Pom/Jocki is obviously out of order.

However, they are considered to be abusive nationally and so probably shouldn't be used but I agree with others, if they are considered wrong, the nationals themselves should not use them about each other.

fish.01

I can accept some Australians use the word Paki non offensively as all my knowledge about it being offensive comes from reading about/living in the UK. A lot of Australians would be like me and avoid it because of this but some wouldn't know and use it in the Australian way as a shortening. In an internet world and with a big increase in migrants from the sub continent this second group would be shrinking now.

No Australian growing up here should have missed the point that Abo has been used as a pejorative for a long time (like Paki in the UK) so I think it is clearly offensive.

Almo

You've honestly not heard people in the UK using that as an offensive term? The only time I ever heard people using it was when they were being offensive. I really find it incredible that anyone who lived in the UK can think it's a 'simple shortening' - did you live in an area with very few people of Pakistani origin?

I have witnessed several verbal attacks on the basis of race and encounter racism fairly frequently in conversation here. I don't know that I would necessarily say that Australia is more racist than the UK, but I think it is generally far more acceptable to make racist comments here than it is in the UK. That is not to say that all, or even many, people I meet are racist, but I do notice it more than I did living in the UK.

chris955

I think some are saying that racist comments are made in a 'friendly' way in Australia. I find Australia generally no more or less racist BUT noticeably more in country areas and North in places like Townsville, Cairns etc.

knockoff nige

Abbreviations of words such as Paki or Abo are offensive if people find them offensive. Why would this cause so much confusion? That's something you would teach a child. If you know what you're saying may be perceived as offensive, then maybe you shouldn't say it. Unless your intention is to offend.