Colin Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 And really stinky fags. Ah, Gaulois... A delicate blend of horse turd and tram tickets..... Scorrie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostrider Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 Oh dear, infamy, and in the Times no less..... http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2014/11/20/casual-racism-mark-ryan-smith What next, a mention on the Bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scorrie Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 His comments about some folks views on 'Soothies' etc is pretty accurate, GR. As for his comments Chinese takeaway jokes etc on this thread: Absolute pish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 I though about posting a reply on the ST web site but, that would only given his letter a little credibility. I'm with Scorrie on this one.. Absolute pish.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohanofNess Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 Personally I find the racism argument a little weak on this one, it's not racism it's more xenophobia. I don't think those who fear the influence of incomers is as bothered about their skin colour, white, black, asian or Orcadian doesn't bother them it's just they're not a Shetlander. The Minister for promoting Norway doesn't strike me as racist but he does strike me as a tad reluctant to accept incoming people particularly when they have an impact on his vision for the isles. Scorrie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexandraS Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 It's a weak argument.I'm a Scot with a "cut glass" English accent - I'm sure there are those who view me with suspicion - I don't notice - but I will tell you this. Shetland HAS changed. 30 years ago someone with different coloured skin WAS stared at in the street, for those of you who never left you may not have noticed - but for me it's an extremely pleasant change to see. It's very "Guardian reader" like to sneer at Shetlanders as a whole for making the odd "cheese-eating surrender monkey" quip - and I loved the description of Gauloise - can we not have a chuckle at cultural differences? "Vive la difference" after all... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scorrie Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 My French oppos never thought anything of shouting "Hoi, Rosbif!" at me whenever we met. Perhaps I should have written a letter to Le Monde berating them for their teasing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 I suppose the point being made here is "what is a racist comment". Never been inclined towards open racism myself but, I have to admit to making quite a lot of 'colourful' comments that would be construed as racist in some quarters. However, that does not mean (to me anyway) that I am a racist..... I just don't understand why we cannot openly acknowledge the differences that come with race and ethnicity and, then get on with life. Just a pity that some idiot used the ST website to broadcast his own 'ultra PC' view of things.. Ghostrider 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frances144 Posted November 21, 2014 Report Share Posted November 21, 2014 My daughter is at Bejing University, Běidà 北大, learning Mandarin. She is in her second year. When I was asked by someone in Shetland about her future, I was told "what use is that to her in Shetland?" All I can think that two years of one-a-week Mandarin classes will produce absolutely nothing. This is not an easy language to learn. It bears no relevance to any language learned in the western world. One word can have five meanings depending on the intonation. Personally, I would think music lessons would be a fine way to use the money but it is coming out of a different purse, so there is no say in this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scorrie Posted November 22, 2014 Report Share Posted November 22, 2014 My daughter is at Bejing University, Běidà 北大, learning Mandarin. She is in her second year. When I was asked by someone in Shetland about her future, I was told "what use is that to her in Shetland?" ....... Insular mindsets. And folk are puzzled when the young 'uns say they want to head South....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frances144 Posted November 22, 2014 Report Share Posted November 22, 2014 Well, I stand corrected on one thing.Daughter in Beijing said this morning when I told her - it's a good idea imo- At that age, it's better to take it slow anyway, and besides I would have much preferred it to French- I think it's good to broaden the scope outside Europe really tirvaluk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulb Posted November 22, 2014 Report Share Posted November 22, 2014 trouble is the Chinese are way better at english than we will ever be at Mandarin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tirvaluk Posted November 22, 2014 Report Share Posted November 22, 2014 You could say that about any language Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos Posted November 22, 2014 Report Share Posted November 22, 2014 That's just a target. I lived for a couple of years in a country where lots of people speak good English but by the end I'd learnt the language well enough that they wouldn't bother changing with me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.