[Guest_Lully_*]

I received our local Neighbourhood Watch newsletter today and read a joke inside:

Heaven is where
The police are British
The Chefs are Italian
The mechanics are German
The lovers are french and
it's all organised by the Swiss

Hell is where
The police are German
The chefs are British
The mechanics are French
The lovers are Swiss and
It's all organised by the Italians

I was appalled by how racist this joke is and the fact it is in a newsletter every household in my area receives. The police and the council partners with Neighbourhood watch and I just could not believe they would think such a joke is ok to publish.

So would you make a complaint?

[loulouthomo]

Yep

Totally inappropriate in that forum

[surprisebaby]

No
It's a joke.

[**Xena**]

I personally wouldn't complain as I don't find it overly offensive. If you do find it offensive then you have every right to complain.

I just don't get offended by dumb irish, dumb blonde or Scottish jokes despite being linked to all of these. I have great faith that the majority of people realise that these are only stereotypes and not actually true.

[michie0moo]

I agree with PP, not appropriate for the location.

However, there is nothing racist in the joke. Racist is when something is discriminatory based on RACE, not based on Nationality (which is what the joke is about). The 2 terms should not be interchanged, although they seem to be everywhere, especially on the news and "current affairs" programs. Sorry, not really directed at you OP, it's just a real pet hate of mine. (Steps off soap box)

This post has been edited by michie0moo: 01/04/2009, 04:36 PM

[taly]

Agree with surprise baby. I think we are getting a bit over the top with political correctness these days.

[*soy-latte*]

I've heard much worse!

I'd be complaining because it's not funny...

[MadamFrou-Frou]

I'd be complaining because it's not funny...

What she said.

[emmas*mum]

I'd be complaining because it's not funny...

Agree with this PP... but I also understand people wouldn't think it's funny. When I read the line about the police being German I thought thought immediately of Nazi Germany, so I agree its inappropriate.

[Mercurial]

Maybe not entirely appropriate but I wouldn't complain. It's a joke. I've got a couple of those ethnicities in my background and don't find it offensive.