Can't work in daytime because of hair

Shy_2

I am mixed race (White and Jamaican) and if I am honest I feel the term 'half caste' is offensive.

If anyone has read the poem 'Half Caste' by John Agard they might get a little insight as to why I and perhaps others feel that way.

Still, everybody is entitled to their own opinion and I guess if it's the 'norm' for you and your boyfriend to use this term habitually then I believe you did not mean to cause offence. However, I would try and refrain from using this term publicly in future as from this post you can see it has caused controversy.

I would comment on your boyfriends situation that you orginally posted but from reading the thread I see this is no longer his current situation.

Good luck to the both of you.

surreysaver

Shy wrote: »

I am mixed race (White and Jamaican) and if I am honest I feel the term 'half caste' is offensive.

It is difficult for people who are not offended to know what terms are offensive, as it changes so often. The term 'Mixed Race' is not currently offensive, but one day it will be, just as once the 'N' word was acceptable, whereas now it certainly isn't!

barnaby-bear

delilah666 wrote: »

Hi, just an update for anyone who is interested ( I really dont want to restart a new row)

My boyfriend spoke to the owner of the store and explained to her that he had heard there was a problem with his hair which was stopping him working on a Sunday. He said she seemed a bit dotty (is this a pc term? sorry if its not) and she replied that she didnt know where that had come from and that the reason he couldnt work on a Sunday was because other staff are rota'd in who want to work on that day! My boyfriend knows for sure that no one wanted to work on a Sunday, which is why he originally offered to work it.

So anyhow, when he went in last night, his manager said seeing as the owner wont admit theres a problem, he can now work on a Sunday if he wants So hopefully the issue is resolved.

Thanks to everyone who replied with helpful advice

I'm glad it worked out. If you and your OH are happy with your choice of description that's fine with me - I remember being really surprised at some asian friends sending me a facebook paty invite to a "PAKI BALTI NIGHT"... tbh if you are "close" it's pretty obvious you aren't a BNP member..... seems to be a cyber space non-issue.

nm123_2

delilah666 wrote: »

Hi, just an update for anyone who is interested ( I really dont want to restart a new row)

My boyfriend spoke to the owner of the store and explained to her that he had heard there was a problem with his hair which was stopping him working on a Sunday. He said she seemed a bit dotty (is this a pc term? sorry if its not) and she replied that she didnt know where that had come from and that the reason he couldnt work on a Sunday was because other staff are rota'd in who want to work on that day! My boyfriend knows for sure that no one wanted to work on a Sunday, which is why he originally offered to work it.

So anyhow, when he went in last night, his manager said seeing as the owner wont admit theres a problem, he can now work on a Sunday if he wants So hopefully the issue is resolved.

Thanks to everyone who replied with helpful advice

Glad it's all sorted!

Mattjimf

I've had my fair share of issues with employers and my hair, mainly due to me dyeing it, the only place i wasn't chastised for having coloured hair was McDonalds, probably due to wearing a hat.
I was told by the manager in one place i worked that the owner wanted me to take my ear rings out when at work, even though i was working in a video store/sunbed shop, and nothing had been mentioned during my interview.
I was gob smacked and decided that until he asked the female members of staff to not wear their ear rings i would continue to wear mine, even the manager agreed with me.

On the whole trolling thing, if you think someone is a troll report the post and leave alone, reading some of your witch hunt posts about Delilah666 anyone would think that she had personally insulted each one of you. Surely in real life if you experienced someone trying to wind you up, you'd ignore them, so why be obnoxious on a message board?
I would also advise you to be very careful how you conduct yourself as some of those posts were tantamount to bullying, and while i decided not to report posts until i got to the end, i may still go back and report them.
So if you get warnings from the mods feel free to PM me with your bile but bear in mind, if i was uncomfortable reading the posts, i'm sure others will have been as well oh and i'll delete the PM's without reading.

kelloggs36

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

It's a derogatory term which is best avoided.

Who says? Usually it is those who get offended on behalf of somebody else! Many of the people it is supposed to offend it clearly does not, as per posters on this thread.

kelloggs36

What harm does being offended actually do? I have the right to be offended, so I choose whether or not to excercise that right. It would entirely depend on the context in which the term was used - when used as an insult one might be offended, but if not, then if you personally find it offensive, then fine, tell the person who will more than likely apologise and move on, but don't let it ruin your life!

Oldernotwiser

surreysaver wrote: »

It is difficult for people who are not offended to know what terms are offensive, as it changes so often. The term 'Mixed Race' is not currently offensive, but one day it will be, just as once the 'N' word was acceptable, whereas now it certainly isn't!

That's why threads like this are so educational!

Takoda

I used to get a lift to s sports club when I was a kid. The woman who took us had a sister who was married to a 'man of colour' (carefully chosen phrase to not upset anyone) Nothing unusual about that now but in the 70s where I live he was def in a minority of one!

Anyway whenever she mentioned him in the car she used to call him "Our Sooty!"

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