[Dextertje]

... on MTF?

It doesn't seem to have anything on this topic within the forum rules...

I ask because some poster constantly calls me a xenophobe without evidence at all apart from "what he feels" and I feel very offended since I can't stand racism and fight against it for 25 years.

Thanks to any mod/admin to clarify that point, please.

[orangehat]

since calling someone an idiot isn't considered anything on MTF, i don't see why calling someone a xenophobe would be an insult.

[Dextertje]

So you think idiot and xenophobe is the same?

If so, I promise to become unbearable for some posters on here

[orangehat]

technically speaking, calling someone an idiot is insulting their intelligence, which is an insult to begin with ...

[Dextertje]

Again, some would see their arses banned over a rather meaningless insult such as "idiot" and others can get away freely by constantly calling people "xenophobes" as soon as you don't share their opinions... All it takes is suck up to mods/admins to get their protection.

Unreal.

[Goldenoldie]

Originally Posted by P. Antonius

Again, some would see their arses banned over a rather meaningless insult such as "idiot" and others can get away freely by constantly calling people "xenophobes" as soon as you don't share their opinions... All it takes is suck up to mods/admins to get their protection.

Unreal.

Xenophobia and racism, in their precise meanings, are not interchangeable, although the same person may well be both a xenophobe and a racist. Xenophobia, as you probably know, comes from the Greek, and literally translates as "fear of strangers".

I am a shy, timid person, and can properly be called a xenophobe, but I am never racist. You on the other hand appear to be afraid of nothing, and to call you a xenophobe is inaccurate and probably insulting.

However you must realize that for many posters on MTF English is not their native tongue, and even those of English extraction do not always use the language as they should.

I suggest you ignore anyone who uses such a weak insult, and concentrate on those who have the education to insult you properly.

Turning to the term "idiot", this used to be a technical term used in a legal sense to denote a person one step below an imbecile and two steps below a moron. However the word has become debased and no longer has any more impact than "mug", "twit" or even "twat". People can call me an idiot with impunity - however call me a "retard" and there will be an immediate report to the mods, because this refers to a serious medical condition and should not be used lightly.

End of sermon

[Dextertje]

I see no admins/mods bothered replying, despite most of them being around

Classless but expected.

[Ozone]

Rough life, huh?

[Mimi]

i read that calling a woman a **** is one of the biggest insult for a woman, but the person who did this to me is as free as a bird and could complain about others' choice of words

[Goldenoldie]

Originally Posted by mimi

i read that calling a woman a **** is one of the biggest insult for a woman, but the person who did this to me is as free as a bird and could complain about others' choice of words

You are right. The use of this term to either a woman or a man is a very grave insult and should be reported.

Except, strangely enough, between two friends, of either sex, who are so close and know each other so well that it can be used in a joking fashion. For example a husband could come home and say to his wife, "Why did you cook dinner tonight, you daft ****, I thought we were eating out?" This would not be offensive, but loving.

[*Ljubica*]

Originally Posted by mimi

i read that calling a woman a **** is one of the biggest insult for a woman, but the person who did this to me is as free as a bird and could complain about others' choice of words

Mimi For me that is the worst word ever. And aside from in the Gamblers' Lounge where the rules are slightly different, if I see it I will report it every time, even though I generally prefer not to report stuff here. I won't accept it from people in my "real life" and I sure won't accept it here, so like Goldnoldie says - it should be reported and if you haven't already, you should do so.

[Dextertje]

So you can make anti-Semitic jokes on these boards and get away with it. I think insulting people is pale in comparison to that.

[Cloudygirl]

Originally Posted by Goldenoldie

You are right. The use of this term to either a woman or a man is a very grave insult and should be reported.

Except, strangely enough, between two friends, of either sex, who are so close and know each other so well that it can be used in a joking fashion. For example a husband could come home and say to his wife, "Why did you cook dinner tonight, you daft ****, I thought we were eating out?" This would not be offensive, but loving.

where do you live? If my nearest and dearest called me a daft **** they would get a slap.

[Goldenoldie]

Originally Posted by Cloudygirl

where do you live? If my nearest and dearest called me a daft **** they would get a slap.

Extract from Wikipedia - ****
"Whilst normally derogatory in English-speaking countries, the word has an informal use, even being used as a term of endearment."

The whole Wikipedia article is interesting and informative, and whereas the use of the word was undoubtedly abusive to Mimi, I was broadening the discussion to point out that the obvious is not always correct.

In case it needs to be more explicit, I deplore ANY abuse levelled at a woman at any time, as I deplore the misuse of the English language.

Thank you.

[Cloudygirl]

It wasn't a dig at you, I seriously would like to know where in the country that is an endearment. I've lived in the Midlands, in Wales and in Yorkshire and I have family down south and I've not heard that before.