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The fear of causing offence has led some advocates of political correctness to ban words such as black, bald and even short.
An example; Students' union toilet signs at the University of Manchester have recently had a PC makeover. They've been "de-gendered".
Temporary signs have made the "ladies" simply "toilets", while the "gents" have become "toilets with urinals".
Susannah Birkwood from Student Direct newspaper said: "The toilets have been provided for men who don't self identify as men and women who don't think of themselves as women.
"Whether or not this is political correctness gone mad.. because it certainly seems that way to some members of our student community."
But Jennie Killip from the students' union told the BBC: "If you were born female, still present quite feminine, but define as a man you should be able to go into the men's toilets - if that's how you define.
"You don't necessarily have had to have gender reassignment surgery, but you could just define yourself as a man, feel very masculine in yourself, feel that in fact being a woman is not who you are."
Political correctness is supposed to protect people's feelings - to make people feel included. But has it gone too far? Hindering communication, causing divisions in society? Or maybe the pre-PC days make you shudder?
Have you experienced political corectness? We'd like to hear about good and bad examples. Have your say below.
Comments
You refer to the use of the cane. as usual Scottish schools had a much effective source of chastisement was the famous Lochgelly Monster-the tawse or belt.
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i dont jkknow about this like so . .
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Punishment never hurt anyone, everyone has to learn right from wrong. Why is Jennifer Saunders wearing her poppy on the wrong side. Should she be cained? or perhaps she would like!!!!!
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caning dies not work as evidence of this I would invite you discuss the matter with those ex-pupils who were caned on a regular basis. If it had worked as the detarent we are told it is, they would only have needed caning once.
Ken Farrow
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Yes, political correctness has gone too far!
For example: We can't play conkers any more. Councils cannot hold public festivals without paying skyrocketing insurance fees, there was even a plan to ban Christmas because this might have insulted Muslims, schools are reluctant to take pupils out on adventures because of "elf n'safety"
Political correctness is turning Britain into a nation of wimps, too afraid to step outside into the chilly wind.
Political correctness is behind the daily school run. In my day I thought it nothing to walk/cycle a couple of miles each day. Now parents are too scared to let their kids out, just in a very, very rare case of encountering a paedophile (in the busy rush hour), or even hurting themselves.
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I think the "Bring back the Cane?" discussion says it all.
Thugs and gangs seem to be taking over the schools, teachers can't do anything meaningful to stop them. Parents don't seem to be able to discipline their children for fear that social services will intervene and accuse them of abuse.
I've just read of a campaign called
'learning without fear' (200 on "Bring Back the Cane?")
Yes - Let the kids learn without fear - fear of being attacked by other pupils! Bullying is a form of abuse and it needs to be dealt with - BY THE CANE!
Let the yobs learn RESPECT for authority.
THE Politically Correct crew seem to be living in some kind of theoretical Cloud Cuckoo-Land.
They live in the ideal world where everything is perfect. When will they wake up to the REAL world?
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In this day and age no-one can smack or cane a child well how do these politically minded people stop all this unruly yob behaver that goes on today a smack and the cane when I was a child never hurt me but it taught me the difference between right and wrong also my own two grown up children.
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I am sure that this comment will be removed because I am not allowed my political correctness. These people need to find something useful to do instead of interfere with thee majority view on life. Political Correctness is a screen to hide behind when people want to say something outrageous and not be challenged over it. Let's all do that shall we? I want choices, I want open speech, I want freedom, I WANT MY SAY!
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I believe the whole "political correctness" debate misses the point - both sides deal with surface issues rather than the fundamental question of the impact of the language we use.
People are not free to say what they like, laws exist, slander or libel, for example.
I am a disabled person born with cerebral palsy. I am proud of who and what I am, my life is neither worthless nor a tragedy. Why then should the media or medical profession have the freedom to construct, through language, images that distort who I am? I suggest their freedom actively disables me by creating false sterotypes that can lead to unequal and differiential treatment.
Why do these people prefix most medical conditions with "suffer from"? What message does that convey? I am NOT suffering from cerebral palsy, I do suffer the consequence of inappropriate use of language and the oppressive values, ideologies and cultures it helps to maintain.
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To use the Manchester University example, I think the important thing is actually being able to use the loo and not who may be on the other side of the door. Personally, it doesn’t matter to me whether it is a man or a woman, I’d just be happy to have an available loo. Is that so bad?
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Whoever invented Political Correctness needs their brain seeing to. For goodness sake, whats wrong with telling JOKES about people of different races, religion, country, culture, gender, etc?? They are just JOKES - there's no malice intended!! People need to learn to lighten up and realise this. Humour was so much better years ago than it is now.
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Was really disappointed about the way this story was covered, it totally disregarded trans people's experiences and implied trans is a disability hence the need to use the disability toilet.
I thought the flipant approach was actually quite insulting to trans people. Many of my friends and colleagues are trans and this is exactly the kind of approach which leads to further discrimination and transphobia.
I think the presenters should really apologise for the offense caused.
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People automatically reject the unfamiliar, some more rudely than others, but it's not unnatural.
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Hasn't Ricky Gervais made a creer out of offending people? Oh, sorry, as long as it's a 'character' and not his real opinion, then it's OK.
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If we could get rid of political correctness AND Health & Safety, we could get to being normal again without constant fear of putting a foot wrong. Total control is a communist thing, isn't it?
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If we could get rid of political correctness and Health and Safety, we could get to being normal again without constant fear of putting a foot wrong. Total control is a communist thing, isn;t it?
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In some countries, e.g. Canada, political correctness has gone to such extremes that I feel almost afraid to open my mouth there! And don't even dare to ask someone their age, that will land you in big trouble...
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Political correctness has been blown out of all proportion and there is nothing correct about it. The lenghts some people go to to beggars belief.
If one thing really gets my back up its all these stupid do gooders than actually do more harm than good.
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The world has gone politcal correctness mad.
Surely political correctness must be based on the intent of the phrase or word. If a word, descriptive or otherwise, is used in a nasty, mean-spirited way, then that is offensive. If not used in a nasty was, but in a descriptive way, then the reverse is true.
Intent must be the key word here.
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If we could get rid of political correctness and health & safety, we could return to being normal again without constant fear of putting a foot wrong. Total control is a communist thing, isn't it?
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As a woman who has had countless experiences of long queues at the ladies while any male aquaintances have been into the loo, washed their hands and then walked past me as I continued to queue, I think it's brilliant to have toilets labelled as "toilets with urinals". However, lets keep it simple as they do on the continent and call them "unisex".
I have, on many occasions decided "to hell with it" and have left the ladies' queue and nipped into the gents to use the cubicles - this is much easier if you have a male to see you in. I would have much more confidence with "unisex" simply to walk in and use the toilet.
This isn't political correctness - merely common sense.
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Surely the term man defines the type of animal. i.e. Not a postdog or a postcat but a post man. It's not necessary to the job to know if the man is equipped with a womb. i.e. a womb man.(woman). That's not necessary information. Therefore in most cases a postman can be either sex. The only time you really need to know if the man has a womb (is female) is if they might need to examine you and strangely enough, those are the times when you can't tell a Man's sex as they are labelled as Doctor or Nurse and could be male or female. It's a funny old world.
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My understanding of political corectness was that it was introduced by the USSR in the 50's as a means to destabalise the 'decidant West' and to stiffel freedom of speech.
One has to consider the possability and indeed it's success.
Matt
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bring back the 70s, how I long to be able to listen to Irish jokes and see people like Dave Allan and even maybe Les Dawson, no harm was meant by their jokes, just taking the mickey out of themselves and their friend's, somthing many of us seem to have forgotten, and the comradery that can come of having true friends who can tell you want they really think
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Political correctness has been taken to the extreme and i feel that it is starting to discriminate against the british and the british way of life. It has been fine for many years untill so many people have moved to britain from abroad and start having a say in how the british should be in their own country.
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PS some additions to the last comment (number 17): I wouldn't like to see this kind of a culture migrate over to the UK (I don't think we're quite there yet).
And one other thing, I think it is in the British sense of humour to be a bit un-politically correct. I wouldn't like to see that change either!
Victoria, from Bristol
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your comment about transgender persons using the disabled toilet is totally wrong and this is not a question of pc it is a question of dignity. Transsexuals should be allowed to use the toilet of preferred gender and as far as i am aware they protected by law under goods and services, which would cover this.
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Liz, Coleorton, Leicestershire
I've just watched the item on political correctness. I'm a life support trainer and have to refer to changes in colour when people become sick / collapse. One of my candidates recently asked - very cautiously -how they would know if a black person was sick by looking at their colour. Another candidate, who was black, said that he would rather people asked these questions than not know how to recognise when black people were ill. This statement certainly put it into perspective to me, and I certainly won't be afraid to include it in all my training in future!
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PC
Im a brummy and proud but i dont feel england is england anymore and i cant say anything about things that chip away at english heritage every day that passes
news 24 depresses and shows us how stupid as english people really are
20 more years and england wont be england
mixed culture is not england it just not
we accept all cultures but as far as education, laws, religious buildings
anything thats not english shouldnt really be here
but am i being Politically incorrect
its not fair
give me my country back
andy
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PC is a doctrine fostered by a delusional liberal minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the idea that it is possible to pick up a t*rd by the clean end.
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My wifes work has banned asking for black coffee. It is now only acceptable to ask for coffee with or without milk! pathetic.
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Anthony from Barry
I think that political correctness and health and safety (at work) must have a lot in common. They are both in place to protect vulnerable people, but so many people say that they have now gone over the top. Hmmmm, I wonder why?
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Hardeep stated that those of us who identify as being transgendered should use the disabled toilets. Those presenting as female should use the female facilities and transmen the male ones.
Leave the disabled toilets for those disabled people who really need to use them. The european court, TUC, DTI etc all give such guidance, it's a shame that the BBC's presenters aren't so well briefed.
Toni
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political correctness is like health and safety - both are cited as reasons why people can no longer live life as they always have. Both were instigated for the right reasons but are now being abused by the ignorant who wish to stop the public at large from doing or saying what they wish to !!!
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My job is making and customizing corporate Christmas Ecards and it is amazing how many companies don’t want any mention of Christmas in their designs, worrying it might offend. The greatest demand we have is for Ecards with no Jesus, no Santa, no Reindeer no red, no Christmas music and defiantly wishing Season’s greetings rather then Happy Christmas.
To be honest though, I can understand this wish, as when you are dealing with global customers you have to be sensitive, but on the other hand I am sure the people on the receiving end understand the sender’s sentiments and don’t really think they are on a missionary assignment but just being friendly.
Yael , London
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I think that too much tax-payers' money is spent on PC by public authorities, but what I think is completely wrong about the whole thing is that it is biased, which defeats the point.
For example - if I created a newspaper for white people, many from the PC gang would be offended, but nobody complains about "The Voice" a newspaper aimed at the Black community.
If you are going to enforce such views, both sides must have the same rights, not just a minority.
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Maybe if more time was spent on stopping people killing each other and less time on what bad names we call each other this country wouldn't be in so much trouble at the moment. I think its ridiculous labelling toilets "with urinals" and "without urinals". How do these"men who feel like women" even know what women feel like-when have they ever been one? (the same applies to "women who feel like men")
As far as racism is concerned I quote the musical avenue Q.
"everyones a little bit racist sometimes-it doesn't mean we go around commiting hate crimes."
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Political Correctness has just got daft now.
Banning Christmas lights?
De-gendered toilets?
Changing ginger bread men to ginger bread person?
Ridiculous!
i think there are far more important things to worry about then these petty little things. i agree we need to be careful and respectful in what we say but it has got silly now.
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I think political correctness has gone way to far. There is so many people who I speak to feel exactly the same. Freedom of speech has gone! A blackboard should be a blackboard and a whiteboard a whiteboard. It didnt mean I was racist when I was six but now its bad to say what you want. I'll still say Happy Christmas and sing ba ba black sheep to my kids, etc
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I was working at Liecestershire police headquarters. Part of the H & S we had to use signs when we were working in the corridors.Therefore i purchased 'MEN AT WORK'. We were told that this was not PC we have to cover up the word MEN,
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Did Hardeep Singh Kohli just say that transexuals should use disabled toilets???
i'm sick of people using transexuals as an example of how PC has gone mad!
It's like we are so "different" that we are a perfect example of how catering for our needs is an act of crazy brussels lead madness.
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I failed a promotion process because the assessor identified the fact that I said "policeman" thirteen times during the interview. Evidently this should have been police officer same as "milk person" "post person" etc. I must be sexist because I used these words! Well that was her opinion. When is it going to end and we return to commen sense.
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Winterval was not a "Myth" it happend & i remember it in 1997
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winterval
Dave, Northfield. Birmingham
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I agree that transsexuals should be allowed to use the toilet of their choice but they, and everyone else, should only use the disabled toilet if they are disabled.
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What an absolute farce is political correctness,where have ordinary decent people been the last few years to allow the lunatics to take over the asylum.You either like someone or thing or you don't...no stupid law is going to change that...you can take a horse to water etc.
Multiculturism and its partner political correctness have dramatically changed this country of ours most definately for the worse and the sooner it is reversed the better for the future of our grandchildren....and all of us!
Englishman.
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The government never listen to the views of the people anyway, they do what they want!
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i have a chalange for all comidians staying in the restraints of P C tell us a joke that includes a person in the joke thats funny and dosnet offend anyone
l
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Polical correctness gone too far, causes people to walk on egg shells. (oh what if i offended that person, oh i hope i didnt say the wrong thing!) And this whole culture then translates into the dating world and so many men wonder why their dates don't call back.
Rickey Gervias like most comedians can offend people, but he doesn't go too far and keeps it in character. so it works. And you can't really blame the media, they are there to help encourage opinion for and against things - thats what journalism is all about.
Political correctness just saps humour out of our society. If you can't take a joke then go to ur therapist and get yourself checked out.
Lines do need to be drawn, but we can't all get along in this world. It's not quit quo pro, its not tit for tat that's not how the whole thing works... it would be great if it did, we'd all be skipping along living happily ever after just like in the fair tales. but its about as realistic as a fairy tale.
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very true number 46 they only dont listen because as a nation we let them get away with this
the day we all stand together as one we will have what we want
do you realise we all moan about the cost of petrol but if we all boycotted the companys and agreed we will only buy from one name
all other companys will have to reduce even when they start putting up prices
the goverment are not there for the public and anyone who belives this is blind
they run the world on a need basis and as long as we need them they will continue to take us all as fools
and that oh theres nothing we can do
i spoke to an american on a plane once and he said they wouldnt put up with it if theres something they dont like they fight and riot
everyone needs to come together and make a difference
revolution
thats what we need a
revolution
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I am horrified at the way white people think that they know that black people feel offended. If someone of another race tells me that they don't like what I say - that's fine, but don't have an unconnected person tell me what they think is wrong. The examples I can think of that cause me greatest offence are that I am not allowed to call a blackboard a blackboard. It must be a chalk board or it can be called a white board - so why is that OK. When I look at a white board I can call it that but if I look at a black board I can't say the word!
I also take great offence with the police as they have an organisation called , 'The Black Police Officers Association' but there cannot be a White Police officers Organisation that that would be racist! Am I missing the point here or is it just everyone except whites who can be offended?
it's time a stand was made to correct this political correctness!
By the way, I bought my granddaughter a book with Baa Baa black sheep in it - will I be arrested?
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PC
I do agree that we do need to help those who are unable to defend themselves. But I think we have taken it literally, too far.
My grandson who is seven told me that I couldn't sing BA BA BLACK SHEEP to my two year old grandson. As he is not allowed to sing that anymore in his school. I was shocked.
I still SING BA BA BLACK SHEEP AND ALWAYS WILL. Simply because the last time I looked sheep were still BLACK AND WHITE, OR BLACK, OR WHITE.
I dont think that anyone should be offended by this nursery rhyme, it has been sung for generations as is. Have we become "too sensitive", are we trying so hard to be pc that we have lost all commonsence?
What next do we abandon calling the colors of black "black" or white "white" yellow "yellow" brown "brown" the list goes on. Do we rename them for the sake of pc?.
We should all try to be more understanding of each others differences and cultchers. We cannot change the colour of the skin were in, we should respect the different colours of skin, that we human being's live in.
Concerned Grandma
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Hardeep commented that political correctness is about respecting other people and their value in society. There is one person who has done more to undermine this by disrespecting other people publically than anyone else in the media, Anne Robinson. What Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand did is small beer compared to what the 'Queen of Disrespect' does on her every show. In her Weakest Link show she belittles every contestant in a manner that is totally embarrasing to them and their families. She speaks to them as if they are idiots and she knows the answers to all the questions when in fact she probably wouldn't get past the first round if she entered the competition herself. Come on BBC sack the real culprit of disrespect, Botox Annie.
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Andrew Sachs (the fumbling spanish waiter Manuel from Faulty Towers) has probably forgotten that his whole career was based on the politically incorrect. I don't see any repentance on his behalf.
Someone grab that finger that he's pointing and tell him to take it as good as he gave.
And by the way this email is coming from a Mac... not PC. Boom boom.
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oh yeah Rickey Gervias a good lad leave him be
transexualls pee where ever ya want no one cares
stop gettin ya cross dressed garments in a twist more important things to sort out than peoples P C issues
people wake up
the big picture is what the goverment isnt telling us
what we dont see on the news
i spoke to a sientist and he says if it wasnt for the filters on top of the buildings that people dont even know exsist we would all be dying of polution issues
the things goverments hide and we as a nation just watch the x factor to get through our sad little days i think we owe it to ourselves to take an interest and make the changes needed
who got the bulls to stand up and say enough is enough
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It's always nice to hear transexuality described as a "petty issue" (Molesville number 38) maybe if you knew something about the subject you would change your mind.
The condition is a killer to many people. The scariest statistic is that pre-op Male to females have a suicide rate of 31% with 50% having had at least one suicide attempt by age 20.
I'm so sorry to bother you "It's only a bloody joke innit" people but when it happens to someone you know or your self then it just isn't that funny any more!
And to be honest if you need someone else tell you that then maybe you should get some help.
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Iam English but hold on I can't say that It's political incorrect. I want to fly the flag of my country and be proud. but that's politicaly incorrect, yet everyone else can fly the flag of there country and it's accepted, infact it's encouraged. Is this Iran or a foreign country Iam typing this from NO it's ENGLAND
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Its all about respecting each other. If there is mutual respect,then there is rarely offence caused. This is how we form friendships...... by tolerance and understanding. RESPECT.
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Bah, Bah, Black Sheep
Bah, bah, black sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes, many have I,
Three bags full;
One for my master,
One for my dame,
But none for the little boy
Who cries in the lane.
Notes
There are many versions of this poem. Like many others I learned a more generous version as a youngster.
Baa Baa black sheep
Have you any wool?
Yes Sir! Yes Sir!
Three bags full.
One for the master,
And one for the dame,
And one for the little boy
Who lives down the lane.
Then there is the additional final verse that has been added by another anonymous writer. Trying to teach good manners obviously.
Thank you said the master,
Thank you said the dame
And thank you said the little boy
Who lived down the lane......
The lyrical form of this poem is abcbdefe.
1. Cf. The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes, ed. Iona and
Peter Opie (1951\; Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1966), no. 55, p. 88,
whose version, based on Tommy Thumb's Pretty Song Book
(1744), ends "And one for the little boy / Who lives down the lane."
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P.C CORRECTNESS HAS GONE TOO FAR. TO THINK THAT SOME SO CALLED HIGHLY EDUCATED PERSON GETS PAID SOME REDICULOUS AMOUNT OF MONET TO DELVE INTO WHAT THEY SAY IS RIGHT OR WRONG.
MY GRANDSONS SCHOOL HAS STOPPED HAVING SCHOOL SPORTS DAY BECAUSE IT MIGHT UPSET THE PUPILS WHO DON'T WIN A RACE OR WHATEVER SPORT THEY GO IN FOR. IF ALL SCHOOLS WERE TO DO THAT HOW WOULD CHILDREN EVER LEARN THAT ALL OF THEIR LIVES WILL BE ABOUT COMPETING,BE IT FOR JOBS,OR WHATEVER.
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Political correctness and rasicm really bothers me, after all, arent we all the same inside - we all have brains, lungs, heart, blood etc, why are we sooo hung up over the outside. Wether black, white, or any religion or nationality or even blue with green polka dots, We are not all different, so why are people being immature and focusing on the trivial matters rather than seeing we are all the same inside which is the most important part. Just because someone is a different colour, have a different sexual preference or have different views, can we not just accept this and concentrate on making the most of our short lives in this vast and brilliant world. As for the toilets - we all need to go, as long as there is somewhere!!!!!!! Its our biological need!!
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the toilet issue in this chat is really mad
i use which ever toilet do you really think a it matters
in a club if i need to go i just go as long as im in me cubical it can be anyware
we dont have a problem sharing on a plane so whats the difference
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if we had shared toilets we could fit in many more cubicles, solving the problems at music and sports events too!
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IN ANSWER TO POST 31,,,I THINK THAT IS THEEE MOST STUPID THING I HAVE EVER HEARD. WILL WE HAVE TO START SAYING THE BRIDE WAS MARRIED IN A NON COLOURED DRESS,OR, MY SONS HAIR COLOUR IS A COLOUR OTHER THAN BLONDE OR BROWN. WHERE WILL ALL THIS STUPIDITY END. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO FREEDOM OF SPEACH. WE ARE ALWAYS BEING TOLKD HOW LUCKY WE ARE TO LIVE IN A FREE ,DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY. I'M AFRAID OUR FREEDOM IS BEING SLOWLY ERADICATED BIT BY BIT AND SOON THEY'LL BE SENCORING OUR NEWSPAPERS LIKE THEY DO IN SOME ARAB COUNTRIES.
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is evryone looking forward to a crap christmas or is it obvious sales will be down
but you know what this is a good thing and everyone taking care of there money and not waisting it on a typical govement money making backed by the media christmas commercial scam
if the kids ask why threres no presents this year blame the goverment
thats my plan
what happened to us all queing up so we can wet our pants on some old gents lap
cant do that now incase he actually gets turned on by it
the world is sick
the power of the people need to change it
dont vote for these people in goverment
vote for none of the above
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I thought the snippet on the police dog booties with the lovely girls in fancy dress was brilliant. What are booties anyway ... are they like boobies? Do police dogs have boobies? And if they did, would they be allowed in?
Selected responses include:
Yes ... yes ... 'what are boobies?'
Watch it again.
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political correctness is a reason for us to argue
so when i say its all crap you get offended
im an alien
im an englishman in england
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well i'm proud to be an English Transexual women!
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Health and safty well let draw a yellow squre box and put a person in it with nothing around them then that person is safe that person may be bored as hell but there safe. people should rely on common sense and if they dont feel safe then think of a way to make it safe. The only reason why we have so many rules is so people cant blame other people for there own action and sue them for money. politcal correctness is to confining if you offend someone then that person should say "i dont like that comment that offends my beleifs" then apologise for making that comment to the person. but then again politically correct is another way of people not blaming other people so they wont sue that person or group for money.
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sorry about comment 64 totaly off the issue
but hey we as a nation deal with the main issues
ha ha
look its catchin
i was woundering what is the nationality of the moderator of these comments
i wounder if his british
or her
opps dont wanna get in trouble
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how come rasta's dont have to wear helmets in the police force
and the turban passes the health and saftey rules layed down by the law
special treatment for everyone unless they happen to be of british heritage
is this
P C
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religion is the route of all problems
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ello again, the pc brigade. Christmas, touchy subject for some. why? Okay so some people do not celebrate, no bother, many people do actually respect that, so why ruin it for the vast majority that do wish to celebrate it. Whats the problem with christmas lights - do they not make a dreary, dull winter day seem more bright and cheerful, seeing the joy in childrens faces (plus mine) when they see the lights - is that such a terrible crime? Many other religions have their own festivals, but do we want those banned as they might offend us, no as yet again it would be wrong. Is it too hard to respect other people and what they believe, my daughter is upset at the thought of christmas being ruined by the pc brigade - even though her own father does not celebrate christmas or birthdays due to his religion, but they know to respect my beliefs and the fact that she looks forwards to and enjoys christmas and birthdays, they dont find this offensive as they have their own celebrations which i certainally do not object to
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What people have to rember is that the goverment is a buissness and there in it to make money. one rule of how the world works. money = power/time = money so the world works on the basic line of money!
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Personchester? Personhole? Postperson?Personager? Persondolin? Personifesto? Personikin?
AARRRGGH!!!
Bring back the good old days when common sense held the reigns.
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reply to number 12
how do you know that the presenter isnt a cross dresser
and if he offended you why should he care
because he has too because is on telly or because his human
you are a prime example ofwhat is wrong with this country
why dont we provide
a gents
a ladies
a disabled
and a confused
will that satisfy ya needs
i repeat theres more important things in the world that need sortin than worring about steppin on your hand bag
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the media have spoiled christmas
lets see how they show both sides of the coin this year as every year
rich and poor
and there constant run of toy adverts so low income parents can kill themselves to earn the cash
i wounder if they will run all the old british comedys
or will they have to concider the PC issue
love thy neigbour thats a classic
now thats funny
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comment 50. im not saying its black people who complain about being offended. its the people who have nothing better todo with there lives. more than likely white people.
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I take my coffee black
like my women
!
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I was amazed and deeply shocked to hear on a BBC television programme that Transsexual people should use the disabled toilets.
It is highly offensive to any transsexual person to be discriminated against in this way and offensive to disabled people that a facility provided for them should be used this way.
Maybe the BBC's proud claim as an employer should be revisited ...
"We’re working hard to create the kind of working environment and culture that recognises and values people’s differences. And we’ll achieve this by attracting, recruiting and developing the most creative and talented people from every section of the community. "
Maybe you should add that they may have to use the disabled loo's though.
Or maybe you should just get your act together and show some respect.
Jillian Bowman
Cambridge
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i love how one thing is said on tv and they all run and complain to see if they can get some money out of the system
this topic is about a world issue not where transexual people take a piss
get over what was said on the one show earlier today
its already boring
the x factor will be on at the week end you poor person
a typical sheep
i repeat we have bigger problems in this world
we need to deal with them
you are all blind
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You are perfectly right in saying that the original motives behind "Political Correctness" were sound, but Hardeep (I think it was him) was wrong when he said or implied that nothing existed before it.
Many years ago, we had instead "Good Manners", "Consideration For Others" and "Politeness" - these were admittedly less precisely defined, but were more flexible, and easier to apply generally.
And they worked.
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I agree totally with the comments in #79.
Hardeep Singh Kohli should not be suggesting, "any" person to use disabled toilets, apart for the people they are provided for and who need to use them ...ie: disabled people. The researchers yet again have not done their homework..
any transgendered person should be able to use the toilet appropriate to how they are presenting...which i understand is now protected under law.
and while we are at it..... why not have unisex toilets like in france... they seem to work well, with little queueing.
LG, Essex
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i agree that using the disabled toilets is wrong to use if you are not disabled but is it not true that most women will sit in cubicals in order to do the bissness so if a tansgender was born a male but has change their sex to female how does that effect the person its the person Dissection on which toilet to use. Male toilets also have cubicals too not as meny as female toilets but we all need to do a number 2 sometime
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Oh dear, Giantandyk #80
who is trying to get money from the system?
And the topic was actually where transsexual people use the toilets.
oh and I do realise that you are bored with the subject, but the thousands and thousands of transsexual people out there are not.
It is in fact a very important, life affecting issue.
so please, If you are bored with the subject, then simple don't comment.
Jillian Bowman
Cambridge
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"Did Hardeep Singh Kohli just say that transexuals should use disabled toilets???"
-Yes I thought this was an odd comment to make, as well.
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Where do I start, at this moment in time I
am in total outrage . Im 30 years old and in the last 15 to 20 years this nation has gone completely crazy, "i.e (the pc brigade)
You know the people who make these descisions are probally sitting back laughing their ass off watching people like myself and others fuming at their ridiculous demands and requests
Im all for different cultures and sexualites (what ever takes your fancy), but when it comes to banning the putting on of christmas lights ,the changing of signage above toilet doors because of the fear of offending someone its just outragous and completely over the top.
The thing that has riled me the most though I have to say is the p.c brigade's request to have christmas lights in the street banned
without saying its pretty obvious who this offends and my view on this is that they have to respect our customs and traditions and beliefs as we have to respect theirs, we all live in this country together I mean its not as if we could go to their country and start complaining because some of their beliefs and customs offends us and if we did do you honestly think they would do something to change it ,I don't think so ,they would probally have us executed or something.
S,M , the scotsman !! "whoops sorry can't say that"
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The toilet issue haha!!!
female toilets all have cubicals so whats the hassle its not as if someone is going to have a peek at their wee man there is it gay men use the male toilet gay women use the female toilet and transexuals well they should use what ever toilet is appropriet wether its male or female unless ofcourse they wish for a seperate toilet a toiket is a toilet at the end day so if you need to go your going to use it
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I'm not particularly Pc, but with one exception! Unfortunately, I am disabled with arthritis and on occasions need to have use of a wheelchair. I really, really HATE the expression used by friends or aquantances - and most especially by BBC presenters (who should know better) or others...of course: 'WHEELCHAIR BOUND'. I have never ever been tied into a wheelchair, nor bound up in it, or bound to use it! The right expression is: wheelchair user. I am indeed fortunate that I do not need a wheelchair every day, but for those who do, please don't say 'WHEELCHAIR BOUND!' It is really agravating and upsetting.
Tinyartist.
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Good morning,
PC oh what a lovely thing to make our life more difficult, yes we are lucky to live in a free country, democratic blah blah blah...but...
We can't use words that offend...
How do we know that it's offending ?
I drink black coffee... does it mean is made by a african person, of course not it's a product.
We can't smoke in public place, we are criminal if we do, but the same people who say that take their car to take their kids at school, 5min walk...
The governement took the decision without a referemdum, that's not a democratie, is it?
The governement decides we must eat 6grs of salt, 5 portions of fruits and vegies...
We have no say, sorry it is a guide line but then if you don't follow it, you will get offending remarks
Now freedom of speech No we don't, freedom of thought No we don't, because we must guess what the others think...
One day I said to my friend (black lady), take a torch with you it's dark outside, she answered, no don't worry I will smile so people will see my teeth!!! We laugh because she knew what I meant.
PC is RESPECT the others, whoever they are.
Another thing I am French and when I hear words such as female or male for human being it shocks me because in France if you call somebody like that you compare it to an animal, these two words are used only for animals.
So do you imagine what I felt when I heard :'he is a good male management material' Material is the word describing everything they use on builing site, and a male, What kind of person is that? I thought I would be in front of a bag of ciment....
Do I complain about it, no because I know this is not offending in the English language, but I make sure that English speakers don't say that to french people in France.
The Jonathan Ross affair is just to take us away from the real problems that England live at the present moment, while the media talks about that it doesn't talk about anything else, economy for instance...
Oh by the way did anyone complain about Jeremy Clarkson ? He said few months back :
' The polution ? who cares, we will have a fantastic mediterranean weather'
How can we teach our children to preserve our planet when a guy like that say to them don't bother the climate change is brilliant?
Where are we going? I don't know, but I know one thing : England is loosing rapidly is wonderful identity. It's a shame a real shame.
Thank you for reading, It's a long comment it wasn't PC to take all this room, I am sorry.
Good bye, have a nice day
Joe
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I cannot believe people refer to things that you right on using calcium carbonate as chalk boards! This is a very mineralist comment and I and many others are offended by it! I am also offended by the following phrases:
"they're as like as two peas"-very vegetableist, a friend of mine who is a pea drowned himself in boiling water because of the injustice and offence in that metaphor.
"smiling like a cheshire cat" I once worked in a rehabilitation centre for depressed cheshire cats and I can assure you there were no smiles.
I find the word black very offensive as well and am angered by any possible use of it. I prefer the terms "light absorbing" and "space coloured"
I am also annoyed by the BBC as it implies that B's are more important then C's.
Fianlly I would like to express my contempt for anyone who is transphobic-how can you possibly comment unless you have been to transylvania!
Anyone who is homophobic,if you dislike your house that much, re-decorate.
And anyone who is racist has clearly never been to watch athletics. The races there are fantastic! Especially the 100metres.
Basiclly-everyone should stop talking completely, its the only way of avoiding offence! (but then that may make people who are mute feel that people are taking the mickey out of them)
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Typical of the BBC to tiptoe around this for fear of falling foul of the subject they are discussing. Hardeep is excellent but his report was very constrained. Surely anecdotal references could be made without causing offence, naturally preceded by an all-encompassing disclaimer.
Being serious for just a minute, why oh why can The One Show be so cruel? First of all it is mentioned in passing that Christine rides a motorbike and the imagination runs riot then they go and bloomin' make a quick reference to her having a boyfriend!!
Talk about being built up and then razed to the ground!!!
Cruel, very cruel...nay evil!!!!!!!!!!!!
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As a matter of interest, and with reference to #89, what happens in France regarding non-gender specific words, such as (for instance) Flight Attendant? Is there a neuter case in French grammar?
Or are the French too adult to bother with this nonsense?
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I, and my husband absolutely love 'The One Show' when we get the chance to watch it with our kids bedtime routine, however.....I am absolutely offended and saddened by the comment tonight, PC correctness!!!!! of the Asian man tonight (didn'twant to remember his name, no respect).....'white witch' is the term used by him, the lovely ex holby city actress was trying to explain that her kids called her a 'WHITE witch'. (in the UK terms means nice, kind witch, the local library will explain) and not just white, how dare HE, ok he was born in the UK and understands the religion of anything but his own!!!!! (do we moan and put him right for wearing his religious costume!!!!) but 'white witch' is not meaning the witch is WHITE, nor Black,Brown,Yellow or whatever colour who cares, just the spritutual history around it meaning, a 'good witch' who only is kind....I think it is too easy to judge people and think they are being NOT PC. Proper eduction and learning about any other religion in the UK helps (USA has vacancies!)... really enjoyed the show thanks BBC One Show.
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Good morning
In reference of 92, no there is no neuter case in French for 'flight Attendant' (not what I know of), I heard the word 'steward' being used.
I often have these questions from my students 'how do we know that a table is feminine and computer masculine?' There isn't real rule, but generaly words endng in 'ion' and 'e' are feminine. That's why I add an 'e' to my name 'Joe' I am a lady and my students remember that.
Only three words change their gender when the number change. These are : organ - delight - love - they are masculine when single and feminine when plural.
I don't know why, and to be quite honest I think that rule of gender is a nonsense itself.
But are they real nonsense? I don't think so, we just have to understand (both languages) how they work, once it's done we don't take the offence.
And there we are : P.C. is that! Understand the others, we need to listen not hear what it said and put it into context.
I have never take the offence when somebody refers to me as 'frenchy, frog eater, snail eater' or as in the Simpsons When Homer said 'victory, French don't have a word for it!!!' There is a way to say these kind of things!!!
We don't need rule to be P.C. just common sense, because at times we are all victims and guilty, it's like good manners sometimes we do, sometimes we don't. That depends how we feel at the moment.
I always say to my 8 years old :
'People are like a mirror, they copy your behaviour, aggressivity we be return as well as being nice.
Respect and treat people the way you want to be treated, if it doesn't work ignore and understand that the person who offend you may have a bad day. It's always difficult to know where we stand but aggressivity (verbally or physically) never gets you somewhere.
Thank you for reading
Good bye Joe
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I agree with post 83,lifedragonite,. What's the big deal about which toilet to use if you're a cross dresser. Seems simple to me. If you're dressed as a man you use the gents,if you're dressed as a woman,,you use the ladies. If you're in a cubical,,,who;s gonna know?????? People make life so difficult for themselves.
Helen Carlisle
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In answer to post 88 Tinyartist. I also am not that bothered about p.c. but as I'm Scottish I hate being called a Jock,or people saying I'm Scotch. Scotch is the stuff you drink ,is my answer when people say that. Scottish is the correct word to use when describing someone from Gods own country !!!!!
Helen Carlisle
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I was sticking up for politically correct people the other day. Someone said that they weren't fit to sleep with the pigs and I said they were!
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The use of discriminatory terminology can only lead to a wider spread of ignorance and is all the more forcefully expressed under the guise of humour. I believe we should not only accept but celebrate our differences. Everybody has equal rights to be free from harrassment and segregation. People who see political correctness as the root of massive problems should really widen their scope on the world and observe some of the atrocities that have befallen our species under the numerous forms of discrimination. (and stop reading the Daily Mail. And other newspapers for that matter). It is the media hype that has made people think that having rules against segregation is a bad thing. At the same time, it would be beneficial to avoid accidentally entering the 'toilets' as a man rather than the 'toilets with urinals' for fear of frightening or offending somebody.
It can be taken too far either way, but the important thing to remember is that the ‘gone mad’ part of political correctness is in fact never politically correct. It attempts to homogenise us rather than celebrate our differences. True political correctness should be recognised as a measure put in place to protect minorities from discrimination. Transgender people should be able to use whatever gender lavatory that they define themself as being. It is most important to simply make an effort to understand others and to be knowledgeable about important issues affecting other people,.. not just yourself.
For example, some of the most hated areas of society such as convicted criminals are still not different from ourselves in the way their life is made for them. They have personalities that have been formed as a direct result of their genetic and hormonal predisposition combined with their life experiences, this is why some may escape a troubled childhood unscathed while others deteriorate into criminality. For this reason, the only logical tool we need to have is knowledge. This knowledge cannot be gained from a popular profit making media source such as newspapers for the obvious reason that a lump sum of their profits are obtained from self interested corporations via advertising. A newspaper will probably not dwell too much on sweatshop labour if it advertises for a clothing manufacturer that uses it for fear of losing lucrative advertising deals for example. This obviously does not make it any less of an important issue.
A plethora of accurate knowledge negates the presence of invalid opinion.
Therefore, I do not claim to be right as I do not know everything, but I do claim to be actively seeking the truth instead of placidly absorbing fiction. I do this in an effort to make my opinions more informed and therefore closer to the truth. Laziness is no excuse for ignorance as there is absolutely no excuse for ignorance. Get informed.
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chalk 1787 have you read this or just copied it. My god this is exactly why the PC brigade have no place .
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The BBC, NHS, Social Workers and Teachers are riddled with Political Correctness. They cannot think for themselves and are forever being offended for the sake of 'others'.
I told a nurse recently that I was a diabetic -she told me that I cannot say that anymore and I must say 'I am a man with diabetes'. What utter rubbish! Its my disorder and I can call it what I like - not what someone else deems PC.
For everyones sake, say what is normally polite and get off the PC band waggon!
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