The "I Don't Want To Live On This Planet Anymore" thread

[KelVarnsen]

Ex-Subway Pitchman Jared Fogle Files Motion Blaming Child Victim's Parents for Emotional Distress

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/...victim-n641781

[Coach]

Originally Posted by 2Stonedbirds

Exactly, its interesting to learn about people and places. Seems like every other ad on the ol idiot box is about ancestry. I can totally see how its offensive question if its worded or framed a certain way. Dicks be dickin. But it can be an interesting conversation piece.

Its funny this came up, I was talking about ancestry with a coworker the other day and it turns out his bloodlines are from ol mother Russia. Would have never guessed, and after our chat I re-examined Russian history, and learned some pretty neato stuff. Its fun, I don't think everyone has malice intentions.

I waited for a late bus with a guy a couple days ago, he had an eastern european accent. I asked where he was a from and learned a whole bunch about Croatia. And then we talked about Game of Thrones.

If you find someone being interested in you and outgoing annoying, that's fine. If he had told me, "I don't really like talking about it." I would have said "No problem." and we would have either talked about something else, or never again.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by trumpethead

Technically a Korean is no more Asian than a Russian. And don't get all micro aggressive with me with your 'moving the goalposts' BS.

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

Ahh yes, the classic move of mocking the other person's argument because you lack a decent rebuttal. Are you actually going to address my point or are we done here?

[rubecube]

Jesus some of you guys have brutal reading comprehension. If the topic of ancestry comes up or someone has a cool accent then by all means go nuts. Asking someone where they're from because they aren't white is where the issue lies.

Let me put it this way; if a white guy and a Chinese-Canadian man are standing in the same Calgary business conference, who do you think is more likely to be asked where he is from and why do you think that is? I'm not suggesting anyone has malicious intent when they do these things but you need to try and see it from the other person's point of view.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Jesus some of you guys have brutal reading comprehension. If the topic of ancestry comes up or someone has a cool accent then by all means go nuts. Asking someone where they're from because they aren't white is where the issue lies.

Let me put it this way; if a white guy and a Chinese-Canadian man are standing in the same Calgary business conference, who do you think is more likely to be asked where he is from and why do you think that is? I'm not suggesting anyone has malicious intent when they do these things but you need to try and see it from the other person's point of view.

The people that ask that are going to do it regardless of how many posters are plastered in the university foyer. I guess most of us just see it as unnecessary and trying to avoid confronting the issue directly.

[FireGilbert]

So I was chatting with a Chinese lady who worked at a hotel reception the other day and she asked me if there were lots of Asians in Sydney and then went on to ask if there were lots of Asians in Canada. I was like am I even allowed to talk about this?

[driveway]

This is a perfect example of what having privilege feels like, and what having your privilege questioned feels like.

Here's the basic conversation that's going on:

White person: Where are you from?
Minority: I know you didn't intend it this way, but that question is actually offensive.
White person: But I didn't intend it to be offensive.
Minority: I know, I said that I know you didn't, I'm just letting you know that it is, and maybe you shouldn't do it again. It feels racially insensitive.
White person: But I didn't intend the offense, are you saying I'm a racist?
Minority: I don't think you're hearing what I'm saying.
White person: You're calling me a racist!
Minority: No... no... I'm just saying that question is racially insensitive.
White person: Why is it every time race gets mentioned the white person is the racist? This is stifling conversation and inquiry! I am not a racist! I never did anything to you or anyone else!
Minority: ...
White Person: I'M NOT A RACIST!!!
Minority: (slowly backs away muttering about white people)

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Hes

The people that ask that are going to do it regardless of how many posters are plastered in the university foyer. I guess most of us just see it as unnecessary and trying to avoid confronting the issue directly.

Is direct confrontation really more common in your life than attempts at blanket solutions? This isn't really new, special, or different. You ever read a memo that went out to the company? A general email? It's basically "hey, this is more time consuming and difficult to get across one by one, so here's the situation." This isn't different.

Plus, the 'accent' point a couple people brought up is funny. As if there is no difference between asking someone with a different accent (which are always learned in a different place) where they're from, and asking someone who just doesn't happen to be white (which is an impossibly weak indicator of origin) where they're from.

Oh you silly guys.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

What exactly is going on in this thread? Are there groups of white people running around asking all minorities to explain their ethnic/racial background? What a weird phenomena. Papers! Show me your papers!

Is asking someone about their cultural heritage not a small talk convo starter for tons of people? I enjoy when people ask if my last name is Irish or if my mother is Italian. I'm quite proud of my heritage. And when I meet other people with Italian accents or last names sometimes I ask about it. Quite often it builds rapport and provides a mutual connection. As Pepsi said, if you have a strong accent, regardless of whether you're white or Asian, Chinese or German, I think people are more likely to ask where you're from.

It is those plain Jane Smiths with no interesting heritage to speak of that I feel sorry for.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Is direct confrontation really more common in your life than attempts at blanket solutions? This isn't really new, special, or different. You ever read a memo that went out to the company? A general email? It's basically "hey, this is more time consuming and difficult to get across one by one, so here's the situation." This isn't different.

Plus, the 'accent' point a couple people brought up is funny. As if there is no difference between asking someone with a different accent (which are always learned in a different place) where they're from, and asking someone who just doesn't happen to be white (which is an impossibly weak indicator of origin) where they're from.

Oh you silly guys.

I do admit it probably works better in smaller work environments than a large university.

Personally I know I respond better to someone taking the time to respond to me directly if I say something inappropriate or wrong. I would likely just ignore a poster.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Hes

I do admit it probably works better in smaller work environments Ghana large university.

Personally I know I respond better to someone taking the time to respond to me directly if I say something inappropriate or wrong. I would likely just ignore a poster.

Is this the best auto correct ever?

[Locke]

I dont know, I've met three really nice people named 'Zoltan' in the last 3 months.

They all seem impressed that I knew they were Hungarian and could chat with them about the Hungarian soccer team at the Euros.

I had no idea, I just knew that Zoltan Gera was Hungarian figured it was close enough and took a shot. It worked out well I must say.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

What exactly is going on in this thread? Are there groups of white people running around asking all minorities to explain their ethnic/racial background? What a weird phenomena. Papers! Show me your papers!

Is asking someone about their cultural heritage not a small talk convo starter for tons of people? I enjoy when people ask if my last name is Irish or if my mother is Italian. I'm quite proud of my heritage. And when I meet other people with Italian accents or last names sometimes I ask about it. Quite often it builds rapport and provides a mutual connection. As Pepsi said, if you have a strong accent, regardless of whether you're white or Asian, Chinese or German, I think people are more likely to ask where you're from.

It is those plain Jane Smiths with no interesting heritage to speak of that I feel sorry for.

Being proud of your heritage has always struck me as weird. Celebrating your culture is one thing but actual pride is bizarre. Oooh your ancestors were born somewhere? Wow I bet no one else can say that.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

I love knowing where people are 'from' and having them tell me more about their homeland and culture because chances are I've never been there and am genuinely curious. All this time I've been an #######? I think not.

What if their "homeland" is Calgary? I'm a born and raised Calgarian and I would take offense if someone asked me about my homeland and culture. My homeland is Calgary and my culture is the same as most on this board. Girls, Watching hockey, playing hockey and normal every day Canadian things like going to Tim Hortons and saying "eh" a lot. I honestly wouldn't know how to answer your question if you asked me those things. It would make me feel different.

Just because my parents are from another country doesn't mean that is my homeland. Canada is my homeland and the color of my skin shouldn't be a free pass for someone to assume I'm not Canadian or that I haven't embraced Canadian culture.

I once had a peace officer ask me if I spoke English and where I was originally from without me speaking one word. I have no accent and speak fluent English. Should I not feel offended at that? Because I was and I don't see why I shouldn't be.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

^Wait wait wait... your culture is "girls"? What the heck does that even mean?

Also I'm offended by your stereotypical portrayal of Canadian culture, you bigot.

Originally Posted by rubecube

Let me put it this way; if a white guy and a Chinese-Canadian man are standing in the same Calgary business conference, who do you think is more likely to be asked where he is from and why do you think that is?

The Chinese-Canadian guy, and I don't care why that is, because it's such a completely miniscule bit of offense that it's absurd you even took the time to write out this post. It's the rudeness equivalent of forgetting to cover your mouth when you cough. Preferable you didn't do that? Okay, sure. Worth making a big deal of it? Not even remotely. The fact that there has been a page on this makes me want to quote the whole thing and paste it in the GMG thread.

Originally Posted by driveway

Minority: (slowly backs away muttering about white people)

Wow, what a racist.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

So I was chatting with a Chinese lady who worked at a hotel reception the other day and she asked me if there were lots of Asians in Sydney and then went on to ask if there were lots of Asians in Canada. I was like am I even allowed to talk about this?

My sister-in-law is Japanese and lives in Vancouver. She told me before that she gets asked by other Asians all the time what kind of Asian she is. I understand that it sounds different coming from a white person, but I think people are just genuinely curious and want to hear the story, especially if there is a hint of an accent.

I get asked my ancestry all the time by by other Eastern Europeans, and especially other "Yugos". If I say Canada, I usually get the, "no, where are you really from?" response. It makes me a little uneasy because of the political baggage in that part of the world. So I get that it really does depend who is asking and what the conditions are of asking.

[2Stonedbirds]

Celebrating culture is fine, but having pride in it isn't and is bizzare. Ok then.

As if people would celebrate their culture if pride wasn't a factor.

Rutgers was right, should just avoid speaking unless neccesary.

[LChoy]

Just my 2 cents

It's normally fine if someone asks me if I'm Chinese/Asian if they're genuine and in casual conversation.
What's annoying though is if I'm asked "Where I'm from", and if I answer "Canada/Calgary/Toronto", they follow up with "No, where are you really from, or where my parents are from", that really grinds my gears

[PsYcNeT]

Canadian racism can be as blatant as that seen in the US.

http://www.calgarysun.com/2016/09/01...at-edmonton-is

https://www.facebook.com/lipscombe/v...7457456425061/

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

The Chinese-Canadian guy, and I don't care why that is, because it's such a completely miniscule bit of offense that it's absurd you even took the time to write out this post. It's the rudeness equivalent of forgetting to cover your mouth when you cough. Preferable you didn't do that? Okay, sure. Worth making a big deal of it? Not even remotely. The fact that there has been a page on this makes me want to quote the whole thing and paste it in the GMG thread.

Always a treat when the elusive straight white male Corsi rides in on his PC culture busting tank of straight-talk and lays down the law regarding what any minority is allowed to have feelings about.

Keep fighting the good fight, noble warrior.