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?
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Full Version: Would you complain about this joke?
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Yep
Totally inappropriate in that forum
Totally inappropriate in that forum
No
It's a joke.
It's a joke.
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.
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.
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)
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)
Agree with surprise baby. I think we are getting a bit over the top with political correctness these days.
I've heard much worse!
I'd be complaining because it's not funny...
I'd be complaining because it's not funny...
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I'd be complaining because it's not funny...
What she said.
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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.
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.
Whaaaaaaaaaat!! Its not racist or rude- its just a joke.
I think maybe you would argue that its not the place to put jokes in neighbourhood watch, if you want to be really picky.
PC gone wrong
I think maybe you would argue that its not the place to put jokes in neighbourhood watch, if you want to be really picky.
PC gone wrong
I can't really see the problem 
It's not racist. It's making fun of generalisations and sterotypes. It would be like complaining about Faulty Towers.
No, I wouldn't complain about the joke. It's fine, IMO.
It's no different to most jokes around the place. They're jokes.
It's no different to most jokes around the place. They're jokes.
It's not racist, it is really lame though.
I have a cracker of a joke about two diggers in a fox hole that would really get your neighbourhood watch talking, if you want it
I have a cracker of a joke about two diggers in a fox hole that would really get your neighbourhood watch talking, if you want it
Nope, I wouldn't complain.
I find it an odd joke to appear in a neighbour watch newsletter, but I'm not offended by it. Kind of more of a *shrug my shoulders* situation or an *oookkkaaaay* situation lol.
But, if you found it offensive, then by all means bring it up!
But, if you found it offensive, then by all means bring it up!
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It's making fun of generalisations and sterotypes. It would be like complaining about Faulty Towers.
I almost thought it was funny. Not at all offensive. Sometimes we get way to PC over these things. The world will be a very boring place when people can't laugh at themselves, or each other, or tell a bad joke every now and then.
No I wouldn't complain.
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Sometimes we get way to PC over these things. The world will be a very boring place when people can't laugh at themselves, or each other, or tell a bad joke every now and then.
QUOTE
I almost thought it was funny. Not at all offensive. Sometimes we get way to PC over these things. The world will be a very boring place when people can't laugh at themselves, or each other, or tell a bad joke every now and then.
Well said!
Personally, it's not the kind of thing I would expect to see in that forum. Not sure if I'd bother complaining though.
My hubby and I produce a monthly magazine for our car club and quite often get the male/female driver jokes sent to us by members for inclusion. It depends on the joke, but we veto quite a lot of that material. It's not the right forum for it, and I won't be held responsible as editors of the magazine for that kind of rubbish...
My hubby and I produce a monthly magazine for our car club and quite often get the male/female driver jokes sent to us by members for inclusion. It depends on the joke, but we veto quite a lot of that material. It's not the right forum for it, and I won't be held responsible as editors of the magazine for that kind of rubbish...
I wouldn't put it in a newsletter. Although that joke is on the wall of my local Swiss restaurant and I admit to laughing the first time I read it. It doesn't mean that i think the stereotypes are accurate or fair.
QUOTE
rac⋅ism
/ˈreɪsɪzəm/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [rey-siz-uhm] Show IPA
–noun
1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
Origin:
1865–70; < F racisme. See race 2 , -ism
Related forms:
racist, noun, adjective
/ˈreɪsɪzəm/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [rey-siz-uhm] Show IPA
–noun
1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.
3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.
Origin:
1865–70; < F racisme. See race 2 , -ism
Related forms:
racist, noun, adjective
From dictionary.com
How is it not racist when it is describing people by a race and then identifying their bad and good points?
Because German, British, Swiss etc are not races they are nationalities. Caucasian (or Anglo-Saxon if you prefer) Germans, British, Swiss, are all of the same race. Caucasian is a race, African, Arab, Asian are races. The Nazis were the first to identify Jews as a race (Judaism is a religion not a race IMO, same with Islam).
So according to your definition of racism from the dictionary, the joke is not racist, but is playing with national stereotypes.
So according to your definition of racism from the dictionary, the joke is not racist, but is playing with national stereotypes.
It is loosely racial discrimination as defined by the UN:
However it is not a piece of literature being used to encourage racial discrimination it is a joke based on stereotypes. Like I said earlier most people would read that and not be offended because we have enough intelligence to realise that stereotypes aren't true to life!
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the term "racial discrimination" shall mean any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life.
However it is not a piece of literature being used to encourage racial discrimination it is a joke based on stereotypes. Like I said earlier most people would read that and not be offended because we have enough intelligence to realise that stereotypes aren't true to life!
Ok, so according to the UN definition of racism (though not the usual dictionary definition), discrimination based on national origin is counted. I stand corrected. Thanks Xena
QUOTE
race
2 /reɪs/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [reys] Show IPA
–noun
1. a group of persons related by common descent or heredity.
2. a population so related.
3. Anthropology.
a. any of the traditional divisions of humankind, the commonest being the Caucasian, Mongoloid, and Negro, characterized by supposedly distinctive and universal physical characteristics: no longer in technical use.
b. an arbitrary classification of modern humans, sometimes, esp. formerly, based on any or a combination of various physical characteristics, as skin color, facial form, or eye shape, and now frequently based on such genetic markers as blood groups.
c. a human population partially isolated reproductively from other populations, whose members share a greater degree of physical and genetic similarity with one another than with other humans.
4. a group of tribes or peoples forming an ethnic stock: the Slavic race.
5. any people united by common history, language, cultural traits, etc.: the Dutch race.
6. the human race or family; humankind: Nuclear weapons pose a threat to the race.
7. Zoology. a variety; subspecies.
8. a natural kind of living creature: the race of fishes.
9. any group, class, or kind, esp. of persons: Journalists are an interesting race.
10. the characteristic taste or flavor of wine.
–adjective
11. of or pertaining to the races of humankind.
2 /reɪs/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [reys] Show IPA
–noun
1. a group of persons related by common descent or heredity.
2. a population so related.
3. Anthropology.
a. any of the traditional divisions of humankind, the commonest being the Caucasian, Mongoloid, and Negro, characterized by supposedly distinctive and universal physical characteristics: no longer in technical use.
b. an arbitrary classification of modern humans, sometimes, esp. formerly, based on any or a combination of various physical characteristics, as skin color, facial form, or eye shape, and now frequently based on such genetic markers as blood groups.
c. a human population partially isolated reproductively from other populations, whose members share a greater degree of physical and genetic similarity with one another than with other humans.
4. a group of tribes or peoples forming an ethnic stock: the Slavic race.
5. any people united by common history, language, cultural traits, etc.: the Dutch race.
6. the human race or family; humankind: Nuclear weapons pose a threat to the race.
7. Zoology. a variety; subspecies.
8. a natural kind of living creature: the race of fishes.
9. any group, class, or kind, esp. of persons: Journalists are an interesting race.
10. the characteristic taste or flavor of wine.
–adjective
11. of or pertaining to the races of humankind.
This definition of race also shows it is a group of common interest/connection. So living in Germany or being German is a race.
It is still just a bad joke. It is not really discriminating against anyone. It would not stop someone getting a job. It doesn't cause
I see what you are saying, and in many circumstances that is relevant. But this is just a bad (or vaguely funny) joke.
QUOTE
distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life.
I see what you are saying, and in many circumstances that is relevant. But this is just a bad (or vaguely funny) joke.
OP, its just a lame joke. Let it go; put down the dictionary and the UN Convention on Human Rights and walk away. There are plenty of other things to get passionate about. This isn't one of them.
It sounds like a statement of fact to me 
It's just a joke. The world will be a very boring place when we stop laughing at ourselves.
I wouldn't complain, but perhaps remind the letter writer of the "differences" of their readers and that some readers are religious and would find comments like that offensive...
Haha, I love it
Personally don't think it's racist. It's trying to make a joke out of perceived national tendencies and using various nationalities.
Not hugely funny but really in the grand scheme of things, not causing anyone any harm. As PP said, it's joking about stereotypes.
Denise
Not hugely funny but really in the grand scheme of things, not causing anyone any harm. As PP said, it's joking about stereotypes.
Denise
Whilst I do not know why one would print that joke in a Neighbour Watch newsletter, I do not see a problem.
Exactly. After visiting those copuntries and spending quite a bit of time in some, I actually find the joke funny (have heard it before) Only in Germany can you have 2 minutes for a train transfer/conection and actully MAKE it!! With time to spare
Love, love German eficiency
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It's not racist. It's making fun of generalisations and sterotypes. It would be like complaining about Faulty Towers.
Exactly. After visiting those copuntries and spending quite a bit of time in some, I actually find the joke funny (have heard it before) Only in Germany can you have 2 minutes for a train transfer/conection and actully MAKE it!! With time to spare
Love, love German eficiency
I agree that it's just a lame joke. I don't think it's offensive.
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