dbd33

Me too. I think batty's winding us up.

That's my understanding.

daft batty

no honest!! i do find it offensive but not so much now that i hear its used affectionately

not many nations are affectionate to the british

too much binge drinking in the med i think
and nobody mention the empire

Judy in Calgary

Now I'm really confused. I could swear I've seen umpteen posts in which Britons on this forum have used Brit.

Like the thread entitled Brits in Winnipeg, which MapleDragon started by saying, "I know I'm not the only Brit living in Winnipeg."

Perhaps it's one of those cases in which the members of a given group find it okay to call themselves by a certain nickname but find it offensive if others call them by that name. Or possibly it's one of those instances in which it's okay for a close friend to use a term but not okay for a more distant acquaintance to use it.

I'm not trying to be obtuse. I think there are instances like that. For example, I think there are nicknames that members of the army, navy and air force use for themselves but that are considered to be rude if they're used by civilians.

dbd33

I can't say I know many Canadians but I have vast experience of dealing with Americans. Judy has their usage of "Brit" spot on. If they are feeling less kind then combinations of "commie" "pinko" "limey" "Eurotrash" and "faggot" are more usual.

dbd33

"Newfie" is one.

TruBrit

lol I don't care if people call me a Brit, it's one of the nicer names I've been called for sure esp coming from Liverpool However I was surprised to hear that it's apparently rude to call people from Mexico > Mexicans..they are referred to as Hispanics...anyone know the reason for that

daft batty

you could get them all in one sentence if you tried, no mistaking that insult then!, would be an achievment to be proud of to be called all that eh?

dbd33

I'm not so sure about that. Hispanic is a term invented for the census meaning anyone vaguely South American looking. I don't think people self-identify as Hispanic. Latino is, I think, safer.

Butch Cassidy

What ABOOT 'Spic?

hot wasabi peas

Yeah me too! And I've lived here for over four years! My mind is racing through every conversation I've had since being here! I had no idea... and no one ever said anything! :scared:

dbd33

I have, on the phone, a building contractor who is in Phoenix. A Guatemalan. Someone who ought to know.

"There's nothing wrong with using 'Mexican', if the person is from Mexico but, make sure they're not from Honduras or Columbia. Otherwise, use Latino or don't use anything.".

TruBrit

[QUOTE=hot wasabi peas]Yeah me too! And I've lived here for over four years! My mind is racing through every conversation I've had since being here! I had no idea... and no one ever said anything! :scared:[/QUOTE


nah I've never heard it being a problem...we are Brit..ish and proud .

TruBrit

ok tks for that...they all look the same to me I can't tell where they're all from so I'd better not use anything....I'll keep schtummmm

Butch Cassidy

Now isnt that typical of a 'Brit'

dbd33

I heard an American, from Port Arthur TX, say exactly that over the holidays. As we were in a Mexican restaurant this remark caused a horrified hush to fall over the table. I tactfully moved the conversation along by commenting that we Brits similarly lump everyone from the Indian subcontinent together.