hogmaw Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 I used it to describe a Japanese record on my website, and now I get an email from someone saying it's racist and offensive. That's new to me. I get Japanese friends in the business describing their music to me as 'Jap' so what's the problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 It's always made me cringe a little Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steb9780 Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 It is if you put "eye" after it The word Jap shouldn't be as it is only used as a shortening of Japanese. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 2JayZ Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 thats like saying calling us Brits is also wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 I guess it's no different from someone calling me a 'Brit' but then other shortened, country of origin-based, words like this aren't socially acceptable, 'Paki' for example. Yank? Is that offensive to Merkins? Kraut - where does that come from? Mmm... interesting topic.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mikethevice Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 I suppose it depends on the context that it used in, often hear the term "Jap Import!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steb9780 Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 I guess it's no different from someone calling me a 'Brit' but then other shortened, country of origin-based, words like this aren't socially acceptable, 'Paki' for example. Yank? Is that offensive to Merkins? Kraut - where does that come from? Mmm... interesting topic.... Is it to do with sauerkraut??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan999 Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 I do think i really depends what context which its used. my personal thought is that i dont think it is at all really. Also like everything else you will always get people that take offence and have a moan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 JDM is less offensive when talking about a product from Japan. I think J-spec or JDM are the best ways to write/say it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dane_stone Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 How can shortening a word be offensive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrivingTheDream Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 What a load of s***. IMO its not offensive. Then again I'm not the best person to ask as I'm not Japanese. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 How can shortening a word be offensive? Hang on I'll ask Mr Cunterbald from the office upstairs..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraStar 3000 Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Maybe we should refer to the Japanese as "J" like Ales says, J-Spec and J-Horror (Japanese horror films) But then again,.. we have the Brits Awards so is that offensive? I wouldn't call a guy from the USA a Yank, not because its racist but because its disrespectful. I would say all the following ARE racist: A 'Paki' (Packistan) A 'Chink' (Chinese) A 'Nigga' (Nigeria & Gibsons bog in the dambusters) so it follows not obvious rules Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Walker Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 The Japanese do find it offensive, thats why I never say it, even if it is shorter. I'd said "Nip" is way more offensive than Jap though! Gaz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Is it to do with sauerkraut??? Kind of according to one site I looked at: "The German word Kraut is a generic term that is often used in compound nouns for cabbage, cabbage products and many herbs" I also found these: http://www.rsdb.org http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pejorative_terms_for_Germans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dane_stone Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 Hang on I'll ask Mr Cunterbald from the office upstairs..... Yes but C**t mean something else awell. Where as Jap is just an abbreviation of Japanese. But like people have said before will just depend on the person you say it to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 are there any Japanese people on here that can say if they are offended or not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ark Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 I'm not offended by it... Oh, and I think it's very important to understand the difference between "offensive" and "racist", as you have used both terms, one in the thread title, and one in the poll title. I believe these are very different concepts, yet the word in question is not actually putting the Japanese people down in any way, and therefore not racist. It might however, be used to and insult to injury in a deliberately racist sentence, where the aim is to put down another race. Oh, and racism is defined as: ...any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, color, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tepster Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 are there any Japanese people on here that can say if they are offended or not? Angel, bhave's missus (can i say missus?? partner etc) is japanese... lets give her casting vote ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angarak Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 I think the tone and context it is said in determines whether or not its deemed a racist word. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daston Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 I think things like this just go out of control I got told off in work for asking to have my coffee black as its racist! So do I have to ask for a coffee that has absorbed all colour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew7 Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 A 'Nigga' (Nigeria & Gibsons bog in the dambusters) Was that the toilet that used to wait for him when he went on missions?...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren-K Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 to be honest i would never let a japanese person hear me calling him or her a Jap., it is a bit like calling a british person a Brit tho ,.. - however,. look at it like this,.. would you call a nigerian person Nig ? i wouldnt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 I got told off in work for asking to have my coffee black as its racist! No way! That's ridiculous. Whoever came up with that is a moron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesmark Posted July 31, 2006 Share Posted July 31, 2006 No way! That's ridiculous. Whoever came up with that is a moron. Look at the mursery ryhme "Baa baa black sheep" that was banned from nursery as it was seen as racist after several complaints by ethnic groups. I am first to say that it's getting beyond a joke that certain slangs words or whatever are said or teached and those are complained about by ethnic support groups and they get banned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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