Racist or not?

Do we HAVE to have this conversation again.

I am an immigration consultant.  Because it this makes me a 'legal professional', people often make the mistake of thinking I am a lawyer, I am actually only licenced to practice immigration law.

Vicky

We'll probably keep having to have this conversation as long as people address legal questions to you because they think you're a lawyer.  It'd be the same if there was a member who people addressed medical questions to because they thought that person was a doctor.
I'm sorry it upsets you but it really is something that should not go unchecked.

It doesn't upset me at all!  I am just not sure why Quarter Gill asked her question...it is a natural and frequent mistake and your post would have closed the issue.

Vicky

It doesn't upset me at all!  I am just not sure why Quarter Gill asked her question...it is a natural and frequent mistake and your post would have closed the issue.

Vicky

Maybe because Q-G never mistook you for a lawyer and wondered why other people did. Or maybe she wondered why Sweetpeach, who has been around the forum for years would make the mistake, especially as it has come up before.  Now it's settled.   You're not a lawyer.  End of. 

You're not a lawyer.

YANAL for short?

YANAL for short?

 

I thought that before you became qualified to advise on one type of law, such as immigration, you had to study the law in general; that is why I called Vicky a lawyer. My mistake.

Nobody on this thread has asked anyone for legal advice. I asked a question out of curiosity.

Or maybe she wondered why Sweetpeach, who has been around the forum for years would make the mistake, especially as it has come up before.  

That's the one! 

I'm surprised to hear the perceptions of the Welsh.  I haven't ever heard it put that way, in fact I've always heard the opposite--they are too friendly, talkative, and inquisitive.  I've especially heard this from friends in the southeast--not to generalise, but they are the ones I've personally heard make more jokes about the Welsh.  My perception (living in Wales) is that they tend to be much friendlier and more open.  Oh yeah, and I've head the sheep jokes too-when you live in a country with three sheep for every person, you can't escape those jokes. 

I will admit that one of the things I've been surprised with in the UK is how many people wouldn't dream of making a comment about certain races, but are willing to make blatant generalizations and sometimes rude jokes about other countries and people from them.  I know we've often commented on how it sometimes appears to be socially acceptable to put down anything American.  It's a bit sad, really.

Even saying that, I wouldn't say anything to your superiors still unless you see an ongoing pattern.  This could easily have been a one-off thing and not worth shooting yourself in the foot for.

The thread has made me think of a silly song I've heard though.  If taken totally tongue in cheek, it can be funny.

The thread has made me think of a silly song I've heard though.  If taken totally tongue in cheek, it can be funny.

It appears they changed a few things for the Broadway show.

This is the version performed during their stage show in London, no pictures, but sound as captured on the live 1963 "At The Drop of Another Hat" album:

If taken totally tongue in cheek

Which is how it was intended.  Listen to the original version and there's an extra verse toward the end which is even more clearly self-mocking of the English (cricket, practicing before a game, etc.).

On this cloudy and overcast morning I enjoyed that posting. I wish the sound was louder?

that was fun.  My in-laws have that one on vinyl.  DH has sung me the hippopotamus song too and says it was a favourite bath time song when he was a kid.   I suspect our little one will be hearing it too.  I hadn't heard the extra verse.

It isnt racist and I'd guess most Brits would not consider it racist.  There are various regional variances within the UK which may be typical of people from certain areas. These very minor and not always accurate bits of detail may well only be commonly recogniseable amongst fellow Brits .Often these minor differences are not negative and can sometimes be positive or humourous.

So for someone to say oh well he was Welsh, Scottosh or a Geordie,when heard by another Brit,will convey a wealth of information but when heard buy someone else,may come across completly differently.

Fo instance,if i was having a conversation with a guy in a bar in boston and he mentioned a friends strnage behaviour and said,well hes from Idaho ...that would go clean past me without registering anything so i might ask him to try and explain further and when asked,my frinking buddy might have difficulty in actually explaining what he meant!
Tricky eh?

Bottom line is,it isnt always and mostly isnt malicious.