Have you ever...

Keeping The Dream Alive. · Nov 21, 2014

Called 'a Chinaman a chink'?

Following on from Dave Whelan's comments - 'If any Englishman said he has never called a Chinaman a 'chink' he is lying." Thought this might prove an interesting poll. I've set it as private for anyone who might be worried.

Should be noted that Whelan has since apologised for his remarks.

hans kraay fan club · Nov 21, 2014

I voted YES. Common parlance in the playground, when you were about 8.

Not as a grown up though.

Hillian1 · Nov 21, 2014

Yes, and I still go for a "Chinky" when getting a Chinese meal.

I had no idea the term was now classed as racist.

LamieRobertson · Nov 21, 2014

Hillian1 said:
Yes, and I still go for a "Chinky" when getting a Chinese meal.

I had no idea the term was now classed as racist.

now you know will you stop saying it ..or continue as you don't think its offensive?

Goldstone1976 · Nov 21, 2014

I need to change my vote; I voted "no", but on reading HKFC's post, I realise I'm in exactly the same position. Last time I used it to describe a person was probably aged 11 or 12.

Czechmate · Nov 21, 2014

Yes !
What's happened to freedom of speech ? Non existent now . What Whelan allegedly said is what most people say a lot of the time , the Jews are money grabbing people and good for them it has made many of them successful business people . Pathetic really even to be talking about it , but again someone who hasn't got anything to do notices it and makes it headline news .

Why is it we have to be careful what we say these days ? If someone called me fat , gay or a white ******* , I wouldn't give a damn , I would say something back not take them to court .

Why are we so sensitive

Why make a fuss

Rant over !

GT49er · Nov 21, 2014

Yes, many years ago, but not in a derogatory sense. It was normal back then - just a slang word for Chinese people.

Bombadier Botty · Nov 21, 2014

Nope, but I have used Orange Pip (nip) in the past, although that's technically Cockney rhyming slang for a Japanese national.

Bombadier Botty · Nov 21, 2014

Hillian1 said:
Yes, and I still go for a "Chinky" when getting a Chinese meal.

I had no idea the term was now classed as racist.

Horrible, horrible racist term. I always shudder when I hear people use it 'in today's age' in relation to getting Chinese food.

Jam The Man · Nov 21, 2014

hans kraay fan club said:
I voted YES. Common parlance in the playground, when you were about 8.

Not as a grown up though.

And that's about the same thoughts I had.
I was great friends with a Chinese girl at school, and whilst it wasn't a commonly used phrase, it was certainly spoken on occasions, though from what I recall, never in malice.

BigGully · Nov 21, 2014

My Dad has a real gripe about Jews, I am not sure where it comes from and he wouldnt personally insult anyone publicly.

He was brought up a Catholic and grew up in Brighton during the war, although I am not aware of any particular gripe between those two communities, or perhaps just typical religious tribalism.

I have never asked why he is so adamantly anti semetic ( in modern parlance ), he seems to think they had the strangle hold over the rationed food during the war years so maybe thats the bases of his casual prejudice, he regularly reminded me to be careful of the 'Jews' during my business career too and sometimes I did wonder as 'they' did seem particularly driven and would have preferential partners in business !!

Thinking now, I usually refer to the Chinese takeaway as just that, although I used to use the term Chinky, but I cannot recall feeling the need to change the chinky term, I just have unthinkably changed my speak.

gregbrighton · Nov 21, 2014

A 'chink' is the sound a glass makes or there is a 'chink in his armour'.

Munkfish · Nov 21, 2014

My friend uses it to refer to getting a chinese, it makes me shudder. the first time I heard him mention it I thought he was trying to be funny, then when I realised he was deadly serious I just had to laugh. I told him he sounded like a dick and he didnt care. fair enough I suppose, however I think he now says it just to wind me up. OH THE BANTER.

narly101 · Nov 21, 2014

Of course I have. I would have thought, though, that there are far more insulting remarks to be had in regards to the Chinese than "chinky", but I still wouldn't use the term now. In the 80's, my dad regularly said "fancy a chinky" for "a Chinese takeaway". I had one Chinese boy in my class in 1978, and it was his family who ran the only Chinese restaurant in the area. Proper pioneers they were. Hats off to them.

midnight_rendezvous · Nov 21, 2014

Czechmate said:
Yes !
What's happened to freedom of speech ? Non existent now . What Whelan allegedly said is what most people say a lot of the time , the Jews are money grabbing people and good for them it has made many of them successful business people . Pathetic really even to be talking about it , but again someone who hasn't got anything to do notices it and makes it headline news .

Why is it we have to be careful what we say these days ? If someone called me fat , gay or a white ******* , I wouldn't give a damn , I would say something back not take them to court .

Why are we so sensitive Why make a fuss

Rant over !

You're not serious? It's called showing someone respect and not using racial slurs or stereotypes is part of that respect. If you don't understand that you really are living in the wrong century. And of course you wouldn't complain about being called a white *******, being called a white anything is so redundent because by being white (and a man) you were born with one of the biggest advantages going.

blue'n'white · Nov 21, 2014

Czechmate said:
Yes !
What's happened to freedom of speech ? Non existent now . What Whelan allegedly said is what most people say a lot of the time , the Jews are money grabbing people and good for them it has made many of them successful business people . Pathetic really even to be talking about it , but again someone who hasn't got anything to do notices it and makes it headline news .

Why is it we have to be careful what we say these days ? If someone called me fat , gay or a white ******* , I wouldn't give a damn , I would say something back not take them to court .

Why are we so sensitive Why make a fuss

Rant over !

Why make a fuss ? Might get some money out of it - that's why !

Charlies Shinpad · Nov 21, 2014

I grew up and went to school with a mate who is half caste and we called him Woggy and I still see him now and call him Woggy as that is how everybody knew him in those days and there is no racial intent then as there is now. We are now both in our late 50's.

Meade's Ball · Nov 21, 2014

I'd go along with those who mentioned its use in school days, but from what I loosely recall I remember only someone else I knew in the small gang of Lewes Road 8-year olds I was part of hollering it for reaction and us being rightly chased down to North Road by a group of lads probably in fact Japanese, demonstrating all the more our general stupidity. I felt horribly guilty, in spite of not knowingly using the term itself. It's part of maturing at a very young age, I'd say, and realising quickly what's basically wrong when exposed to it.

BLOCK F · Nov 21, 2014

Great song by Blue Mink,Melting Pot .
For those too young to know,a big hit in 1969.
Some nowadays would consider the lyrics to be racist,but actually,the sentiment is the exact opposite.
Take a listen.

Buzzer · Nov 21, 2014

As an aside, is it racist to say "grinning like a w*nking jap"? I'm hoping not.

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