My grandad had a Sikh friend who he constantly referred to as "Gunga Din" or other amusing racial epithets
but back then, his was the only family in the street who had the Sikhs round for dinner or even acknowledged them at all. I guess when the choice is between light-hearted racist banter over a beer and a meal or ostracisation, the former is the most attractive option.
( emvee cruor deo cruoris, Thu 27 Oct 2011, 12:12, 1 reply)

In my first proper job,
in a factory in Wales (when such things still existed), the Pakistani guy who worked there got called all kinds of things.

My favourite, because it was said (and received) with such genuine warmth and respect, was a the start of the morning shift one day, where he was greeted with "How's my little curry flower today?".

Some of the older guys were at the tail end of the Chapel-going generation, and would play merry hell if they overheard anyone "taking the Lord's name in vain" or "cursing" within earshot of anyone with ovaries, yet the same people saw eye-watering racism as just being friendly.

These days, most everyone effs and jeffs no matter who's nearby, religious oaths are old hat, but anything racist or sexist is frowned upon.

Personally, I think that's a fucking good thing.
( shinyshinyscalp less a man, more a way of life, Thu 27 Oct 2011, 12:58, closed)