Early Risers.

[Tony_S]

1 hour ago, polybear said:

 

Bear was pondering earlier (as Bears often do) - is referring to someone as being "black" now considered non-pc?  Or is the acceptable term now "coloured".  If so, does that also mean that referring to someone as being "white" also non-pc?  If so, what's the accepted term now?  Technically white is also a colour, but referring to a white person as being "coloured" could lead to all sorts of confusion.

Confused.

It is an interesting point. Aditi didn’t really like being referred to as “coloured” in the past. but “people of color” or POC seems to be in current use. I know my neighbours use “coloured” as they think it is more refined than “black”. When Aditi had her first Covid jab they were collecting ethnicity information. Aditi said the correct box to tick  was Asian, Indian  The clerk said surely you mean British Asian. Aditi just said she wasn’t born here so considered her ethnicity to be what she said. If asked about nationality she would have said British.

Aditi has had some difficulty  convincing people of Indian  or Pakistani origin that she is from India. “Were you born there?”, “Are both your parents Indian?”  and even “Why are you so pale?”  After many years she just answers “yes,yes, insert silly answer” . Silly answers include, “I am a princess” or “I don’t sunbathe”. Her brother tells people who interrogate him that he is pale as he comes from the north. Kashmir, they suggest.  No, Huddersfield. 
Our over the road neighbours use the term African or  Nigerian about themselves. 
As you say, complicated at times. 

[J. S. Bach]

6 hours ago, AndrewC said:

 ...snip... Speaking of sheds. Here is mine hiding behind the jungle that SWMBO has created.

To hide the shed?

[leopardml2341]

1 hour ago, polybear said:

 

Bear was pondering earlier (as Bears often do) - is referring to someone as being "black" now considered non-pc?  Or is the acceptable term now "coloured".  If so, does that also mean that referring to someone as being "white" also non-pc?  If so, what's the accepted term now?  Technically white is also a colour, but referring to a white person as being "coloured" could lead to all sorts of confusion.

Confused.

 

1 hour ago, PhilJ W said:

The current 'correct' term is black as I understand it. Of course it might change next week and again the week after. I was criticised once for using the word 'coloured', by someone who was always saying how much he hated c***s and n*****s.

Now that reminds me.....

 

On a recent 'awareness' course run about such things by my employer I asked why was it not acceptable for a blackboard to referred to as such when the accepted term for a white board was ok......

 

Much scratching of chins ensued; not really knowing how to answer. I mentioned that as a white person I could find the term whiteboard  equally offensive as a black person might think the term blackboard is.

 

To alleviate that potential I suggested that the term Dry Wipe Marker board be used instead, or as an alternative why not stop telling people what 'they' think others 'might be' offended by and take the trouble to actually find out.

Edited July 16, 2021 by leopardml2341

[Gwiwer]

2 hours ago, PhilJ W said:

I had a telephone message some months ago telling that there was a problem with my bank card. It was an automated call with the female speaker with an Indian accent and requesting me to press button 1. I thought straight away it was a fake call. A couple of days later I found that I couldn't swipe my card, when I checked up with my bank a payment request had flagged up as a bit iffy and that they wanted to confirm that it was OK (it wasn't). It turned out that the call I had received was genuine.

That is exactly a technique used by scammers and I would expect my own financial institution to have not used such a process.  Also if you are ever called from an unknown number and asked "Am I speaking with <your name>?" always answer evasively.  There are scams known to exist where they get you to say "Yes" and having recorded that they then use your own voice as "authority" to defraud you of your worldly worth.  My standard - if I answer at all - is to ask "Who wants to speak?" which has nonplussed the caller a couple of times.  I normally allow unknown-number  calls to go to voicemail where they will be greeted by the message "This is the National Scam Call Prosecution Service.  Your call and indentity have been traced for enforcement action."  Followed by an invitation to speak to me after the tone   

 

Afternoon All.  Welcome to POETS Day where the sun is smiling warmly upon St. Raw-berry Hill.  A few moments of pulling weeds from the gardens and a few more moments recycling cardboard waste have preceded the placing of the garden chair.  I shall be in occupation of same dreckly with an early-doors ale to celebrate the weekend.  And to mark, because celebrate is not the appropriate term for many folk, the final shift and final trip home under mandatory maskage rules.  Until things change again.  

 

Ocado promise that the order is complete without substitutions.  Picnic in the Park is scheduled for tomorrow lunch with Dr. SWMBO and her senior director, his wife and their daughter and her partner.  Making something of the summer while we can.  

 

Stay well.  Thoughts with those enduring sickness, loss and especially anyone having connections with the flood-devastated areas of Germany and neighbouring lands.  

[Gwiwer]

7 minutes ago, leopardml2341 said:

not acceptable for a blackboard to referred to as such

It is perfectly acceptable.  It is a board which is coloured black.  It makes no reference nor inference to the skin tone of any individual nor to any other "Protected Characteristics".  It is a simple statement of fact.  Even in the 1960s it was sometimes referred to as the "chalkboard" in school rather than by its colour yet a blackboard it was, is and remains.  

[polybear]

41 minutes ago, The Lurker said:

I will need to start putting together the necessary evidence to allow me to attend the F1 with Younger Lurker.

 

1. tickets - check

2. park and ride ticket - check

3. fastrack ticket - check

4. photo ID - driving licence for me and oyster card for YL

5. vaccination passport for me. - this needs to be printed out in case there is no phone reception; they have a 2 day life so I will download one tomorrow

6. lateral flow test negative within 24 hours for YL. Again a task for tomorrow. I need to double check if I need one.

 

 

 

Bear's F1 checklist:

 

1. TV - check

2. Remote - check

3. Comfy recliner - check

4. Mug of Tea - check

5. Cake - check

6. No traffic jams/hours of driving - check

7. Clean loo, with no queue - check

8. All for free -check

[leopardml2341]

14 minutes ago, Gwiwer said:

It is perfectly acceptable.  It is a board which is coloured black.  It makes no reference nor inference to the skin tone of any individual nor to any other "Protected Characteristics".  It is a simple statement of fact.  Even in the 1960s it was sometimes referred to as the "chalkboard" in school rather than by its colour yet a blackboard it was, is and remains.  

Agreed, but there were proponents (on the course) that suggested it was (subjectively) wrong.

[BSW01]

56 minutes ago, leopardml2341 said:

Agreed, but there were proponents (on the course) that suggested it was (subjectively) wrong.

There always is! 

[Danemouth]

When I was in the initial stages of building Danemouth I was advised to paint the baseboard with blackboard paint as it has a nice matt finish and if the ballast or ash is chipped it's not obvious.

 

So I went looking for said paint and discovered it is now called "Chalkboard Paint".

 

Dave

[The Lurker]

There's always someone who will be offended. Whether that offence is taken notice of depends on the time and the person offended. If the person or the group is "tough " enough to take it, these days, they can lump it. If the group is one that has been or is persecuted, then one has to tip toe around any possible offence - whether that group takes offence or not. And once the law changed to favour a person who take offence (even if it is not meant), you'll find more people to take offence.

 

So in the 1970s Life of Brian was deemed offensive; these days, if you take offence at it, tough luck.*

 

However, look at the contortions we tie ourselves in re microaggressions of all sorts, safe spaces, no-platforming of people whose views "we" don't like and so on. We've lost the spirit that was exemplified by one of the French revolutionaries - I forget which - which can be paraphrased as I abhor your views but I will defend to the death your right to state them. (possibly before said person met Mme Guillotine)

 

 

* and it is very clever and very funny film.

 

EDIT - you can of course draw out opposite examples that draw out this point; the gay community was a persecuted minority in the 1970's but using terms such as gayboy  (  I was going to use another term but thought I had better not) as a perjorative  were regarded as mild - if you were offended back then, well tough. 

 

So the church is now regarded as powerful enough to deal with it - or perhaps inconsequential enough to ignore, whereas the gay community's worth is now realised - or perhaps that it is still an "under attack" area of society that needs protecting still. 

 

Hope that's not too political, it's intended to be an observation

Edited July 16, 2021 by The Lurker

[Mark Saunders]

16 minutes ago, Danemouth said:

 

So I went looking for said paint and discovered it is now called "Chalkboard Paint".

 

Now for Whiteboard…

 

discuss!

[leopardml2341]

37 minutes ago, Mark Saunders said:

Now for Whiteboard…

 

discuss!

I did, on the last page....

 

But, inspired by that post, I decided to search 'whiteboard paint' - lo and behold:

https://www.first4magnets.com/other-c89/sketch-whiteboard-paint-by-magpaint-p15219#ab_1_108|ps_2_9672

 

However, a search for dry wipe marker board paint did not produce any products. Should I be offended........?

 

 

Anyway, we're getting dangerously close to politics et al, so I'll, button it

Edited July 16, 2021 by leopardml2341

[Barry O]

so various power outs have occurred today.. including one from the bread maker. Banana and peanut butter dough mix transferred to oven for baking.  The loaf  has come out better than if it was baked in the  maker.

 

Youngest Herbert has now tested positive ( he has only had one jab so far) but feels ok other than he now knows what bad hay fever is like.

 

Time for.. a mugatea methinks.

 

Baz

[jamie92208]

I'm waiting for a campaign to rename the offencebof blackmail. It'svoriginsvhave nothing to do with race but came from a group of thieves from Scotland wh didn't clean their chain mail and who demanded money from communities south of the birder, in return for not stealing their cattle. I wondervif Ms Sturgeon thinks that it is perjorative towatds Scots.

 

Jamie

[Gwiwer]

2 hours ago, leopardml2341 said:

Agreed, but there were proponents (on the course) that suggested it was (subjectively) wrong.

I have met those proponents also. At various times and in a wide range of situations. 
 

I was once (in 1984; I can be precise on the year because of the context) I was called out by a then-colleague Victor (now Lord, no less) Adebowale for using the expression “all tarred with the same brush”.  Because tar is black and by association this was considered a derogatory comment.   
 

I disagreed with his opinion then and still wonder if it is taking things beyond reasonable. But I have not knowingly used that expression again. 

[leopardml2341]

Years ago I worked with a guy at Marconi (named Kandi Subramaniam - TheQ may know (of) him?), following a heavy meeting we went to the pub and his response to "what would you like?  (no Yorkshireman jokes I may be offended ) he responded "Nigerian lager", now this being the late '80s I thought it was actually some overpriced designer fizz in a posh bottle.

 

It turned out he wanted Guinness, I asked why Nigerian lager,he proudly said "it's black and stout with taste - just like me"

Edited July 16, 2021 by leopardml2341

[iL Dottore]

1 hour ago, The Lurker said:

...However, look at the contortions we tie ourselves in re microaggressions of all sorts, safe spaces, no-platforming of people whose views "we" don't like and so on. We've lost the spirit that was exemplified by one of the French revolutionaries - I forget which - which can be paraphrased as I abhor your views but I will defend to the death your right to state them. (possibly before said person met Mme Guillotine)....

I could be quite scathing about the current situation in both the UK and the US (fortunately, this stupidity hasn't gained much traction in Switzerland, though there are those who do try...) but I just want to point out the following:

 

Whilst much of the Western world is tying itself in knots over what is/what is not "acceptable" (a list that changes almost on a daily basis and woe betide you if you find yourself on the wrong side....), there are foreign governments who are inimical to, if not overtly hostile to, our way of life and to what are (were?) our bloodily hard-earned freedoms, who have no truck with the sort of stupidity currently burdening the West. Such governments must be utterly gobsmacked (and probably cannot believe their luck) at how we are (almost literally) destroying so many of the great things of our own countries - whatever our country may be.

 

I hope your Mandarin is up to scratch.....

Edited July 16, 2021 by iL Dottore
Typo

[leopardml2341]

A propos nothing at all, I'm off to toolstation to collect a 13mm drill bit.

 

I may also drop in at Aldi for some of this:

 

https://www.aldi.co.uk/sharp-tongue-grapefruit-pale-ale/p/711356488751301

[Ian Abel]

Moaning, and POETS will be taken <sigh>

 

Yesterday moderately uneventful, decent weather and walkies with Whitney, Jemma and the Mrs, after some busy report creating!

 

Today - new behemoth company that purchased our happy clan onboarding issues, all in the YOU MUST BE KIDDING ME category

 

First up - Payday...

     but wait, we spent a TON of time going through this, including adding the correct entries for the 401K (retirement plan) - NO 401K contributions deducted from pay

C0ck up on the deductions front, "they're working on it". 

 

Next - Requesting PTO (Personal Time Off, aka holiday/vacation)!

Apparently it's SO COMPLICATED to do in their "system" that we all have to attend a MANDATORY 30 minute course/lecture/snooze to learn how to do it, sometime next week. Q? What if I want time off before the lecture?!?!  What's wrong with an email "I'm taking next Tuesday off."

 

Finally and MOST DISTURBING - IT (yeah the "turn it off and back on again crowd") are setting up a new laptop that I'm required to have.

IT emailed me asking me to call them and provide a password to use on said laptop.

I called and asked what criteria are required, e.g letter/numbers/caps etc. Guy said he had NO IDEA what was needed!  Strike 1

He tried what I suggested and said "no, that doesn't work". Strike 2

He then tried something HE MADE UP, "uh, that didn't work either..." Strike 3 - you're OUT

"I'll have to call someone and get back to you" says he. That was 4 hours ago and narry a word!

 

OK, THEY are setting it up, THEY own it, HE had it in front of him, HE/THEY can't set a password on it!!!!!

 

Ask me again if I have ANY confidence in them actually finding the bog when they need to take a p!ss???

 

15 and partly sunny first thing, expected to manage 29 and 1% chance of precipitation

 

OK, thank goodness it's the weekend and I don't have to deal with ITidiots for a couple of days - hope your weekend starts well.

Edited July 16, 2021 by Ian Abel

[simontaylor484]

I think a lot of this current wokeness is all another import from the US, another one we could do with out.

     Segregation in the US is still in living memory just in not sure that it ever occoured here.

Slavery in the British Empire was abolished well before the American Civil war.

  A lot of the problem is the so called snowflake generation that take offence to anything.

 

I wonder what they would make of the scene in til death us part where Alf Garnett and Marigold are in Sabus shop just after Mrs Garnett has died. It's hilarious in my opinion 

[Compound2632]

28 minutes ago, simontaylor484 said:

Slavery in the British Empire was abolished well before the American Civil war.

 

Only three decades or so earlier - not really that creditable, given that slavery was illegal in many states of the United States and indeed in England by the end of the previous century.

[PhilJ W]

Afternoon all from Estuary-Land. Another do nothing day, only a trip to Tess Coes to get in supplies for the weekend. When I got home a couple of neighbours were cutting their grass and that set the hay fever off big time. With the floods in Germany I hope Dom and his family are OK, though Leipzig it appears is just getting a soaking.

[Erichill16]

Dear Agony Aunt,

My best friend drinks black coffee so is obviously a racist, should I dump him?

Concerned of Barnsley.

[Compound2632]

Such facile humour skirts dangerously close to not taking the underlying problem seriously.

[grandadbob]

7 hours ago, polybear said:

 

Finally, a question for the wisdom of fellow ER'ers - can anyone tell me why Bear's green wheelie bin is marked with "99dB" on the lid?

 

 

Somewhat amazed that Bear has to ask this.  IIRC the other day Bear was jumping up and down in the bin to compact it.  It’s quite obvious to me that if he falls in head first and gets stuck that is the minimum sound level his shouts of help need to reach for Buddy next door to hear and extricate him!  Simples!