A post in general is up in arms in regard to the term Farang, or its various derivations:

Paddy

Limey

Jock

Crout

Taff

Scouser

Cockney

Iti

Zorro

Poodle

Yank

Hill billy

Chink

Jap

Rusky

Cha wollah

Paki

raghead

Zorba

kiwi

tortilla

Canuck

Ni**er

Spade

Rasta

Frog

Couk

Only one example is asterisked, which to me would point toward that all the other terms exampled above is OK?

What's your view on labelling other races, are all the above OK, is ni**er the only one out of sync?

I would genuinely ask your view, please keep it civil, this is not general, which is why I did not respond there.

Having reread my post, Farang is described as derogatory and then other terms of national identity are ascribed, my point being are they derogatory?

Uhm...IMHO, in short, the discomfort of one group to be called names, is directly proportional to the abuse which has been suffered by that group in his own perception.

BTW, are the Italians missing from the list ?

Farrang isn't a term of national identity. It is a term unique to Thailand (although it has spread a bit to some neighbouring countries) to describe a whole host of nationalities, and in fact isn't based on nationality at all - e.g. if you're of Chinese decent (both your parents are Chinese so you look 100% Chinese) but you were born and raised in the UK, and hence are of British nationality, you wouldn't normally be referred to as a farrang.

Also it isn't derogatory, but a neutral word used to describe Caucasian foreigners in Thailand.

The list in the OP is very mixed. Some are derogatory, racist terms - the asterisked one being the most obvious example, but also frog, kraut, chink, paki, spade and raghead fit into this category. Some are mildly racist terms but would probably have to be used aggressively to be considered truly offensive, e.g. yank, Jap and paddy. Others are just words describing where someone hails from, e.g. cockney, scouser & kiwi, with no racist connotations at all. Rasta is just short for Rastafarian. Some others I hadn't heard of.

Name calling is exactly that.

I loathe the anti-PC crowd with their frenetic hunting for examples of the "loony left" taking over the language and behaviour in general.

Bad manners was punished when we were kids, there's a few adults around I wouldn't mind giving a whack to as well.

Unlike some of the words on this list farang is generally NOT a derogatory word regardless of what some may perceive. Its a descriptor. Same as saying, the Chinese guy, the German guy etc etc.

However, some of these words are only ever used in a derogatory manner, there is no nice way to call someone a chink for instance and I doubt any Chinese person would appreciate it.

Is it PC to have good manners and treat people with respect and consideration? I sure hope not.

Paki is a derogatory term I suppose. One I haven't heard since my schooldays.

I lived in England for years and was called Jock many times....never in a derogatory manner. With most of those terms its the context used but yeah chink could be, I just have no experience hearing anyone use the word.

Farang is just the Thai word for a white foreigner. Its not derogatory on its own, however if someone was leering at me and using it in a way to bad mouth me then it would be I guess.

The lesson there would be to keep better company....!

Edit: i before e except after for.

When in Nigeria I was universally addressed (outside of work, where it was 'Sir') as Wi'boy.

With the small kids and most of the other people I met - shopkeepers, petrol pump attendants and so on, this was not derogatory, just a method of identifying me. But there were people who used it in an offensive manner and it was obviously so.

With many of the names quoted above, they are now regarded only as offensive - (raghead, kike, nigger and so on).

Some of the others may depend upon context or vocal inflection, but if one is referring to nationality by naming the country, for instance, then seldom is it used insultingly, surely.

Calling a German a German is OK, but calling him a Kraut is usually insulting.

Same with a dutchman/cheesehead, Spaniard/spic, Arab/raghead and so on.

The only exception here is in calling a Frenchman anything at all, because it would always be used as an insult.

I'm not quite sure why anyone thinks that cha (more properly chai) wallah is an insult. It's simply a Hindi description of someone who makes tea.

Uhm...IMHO, in short, the discomfort of one group to be called names, is directly proportional to the abuse which has been suffered by that group in his own perception.

BTW, are the Italians missing from the list ?

No, they're there as 'itis' whereas they should more properly be insulted as 'wops'.

And what's with 'Poodles'? Leave the poor bloody things alone. They get enough grief as it is

Uhm...IMHO, in short, the discomfort of one group to be called names, is directly proportional to the abuse which has been suffered by that group in his own perception.

BTW, are the Italians missing from the list ?

No, they're there as 'itis' whereas they should more properly be insulted as 'wops'.

I understand eyetie....but what is the origin of wop?

Wiki offers a variety of origins. I particularly like 'pimp'. Reminds me of a night in Genoa....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wop

Wiki offers a variety of origins. I particularly like 'pimp'. Reminds me of a night in Genoa....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wop

But the Spanish 'guapo' means handsome and is a normal greeting when meeting a friend - 'Hola, guapo' is heard in every bar, restaurant or other public meeting place every couple of minutes, every evening.

Uhm...IMHO, in short, the discomfort of one group to be called names, is directly proportional to the abuse which has been suffered by that group in his own perception.

BTW, are the Italians missing from the list ?

No, they're there as 'itis' whereas they should more properly be insulted as 'wops'.

I understand eyetie....but what is the origin of wop?

The way I heard it way back when, was in the beginning when God made the first Italian, he put a bit of clay in one hand, then another piece of clay in the other hand. then clapped his hands together and the noise went wop.

Wiki offers a variety of origins. I particularly like 'pimp'. Reminds me of a night in Genoa....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wop

But the Spanish 'guapo' means handsome and is a normal greeting when meeting a friend - 'Hola, guapo' is heard in every bar, restaurant or other public meeting place every couple of minutes, every evening.

So it's the Thai equivalent of 'hansum man'?

I'm not quite sure why anyone thinks that cha (more properly chai) wallah is an insult. It's simply a Hindi description of someone who makes tea.

No-one has said it is an insult. In fact, in the OP, Moss was asking if it's an OK and non-offensive phrase to use, which of course it is.

This 'farang' thing comes up every now and then in the local forums as well. From my observation, there seems to be a correlation between those who take exception to the term and the lack of experience in/knowledge they have of this country. Amazing how many ten-day tourists seem to think they are the greatest experts on all things Thai...

E:T

Amazing how many ten-day tourists seem to think they are the greatest experts on all things Thai...

Contrasted by those who have been here a few years and haven't learned that much.

Amazing how many ten-day tourists seem to think they are the greatest experts on all things Thai...

Contrasted by those who have been here a few years and haven't learned that much.

I send PM's to such posters requesting location and cheapest local beer bar. Its a useful tactic.

I would send you to Newcastle no discrimination between black and white their.

I would send you to Newcastle no discrimination between black and white their.

Nope - but never let a soccer supporter in red and white stripes walk the streets of the Toon.

We're straying off topic into tribalism I fear.

Paki is a derogatory term I suppose.

In the book 'Black Hawk Down', a UN Officer consistently used the term 'Paki' in trying to organise Pakistani Armour to support the rescue operation.

I remember it being a little surprising at the time of my reading it.

This 'farang' thing comes up every now and then in the local forums as well. From my observation, there seems to be a correlation between those who take exception to the term and the lack of experience in/knowledge they have of this country. Amazing how many ten-day tourists seem to think they are the greatest experts on all things Thai...

E:T

It does have a worrying habit of rearing its ugly head too often I fear.

Overall, some interesting observations above.

I have only once taken exception to be called Farang, it was said in a slightly condescending, possibly passive/aggressive manner, by someone who should have known better. But then I may just have misunderstood the context, although I doubt it.

Dan and SBK are right of course, Farang is a grouping of Nationalities and in general I would suggest non-aggresive and derogatory, but as Smokie asserts, can depend on the manner of the statement, both verbal and body language.

But part of my post was directed at the use of the asterisk and in particular what of the terms were derogatory, I think Farang has been well explained, as have the other terms, but what actually struck me the most was Nigger got asterisked and Spade was considered an OK kind of descripter to remain in all its splendour.

Crout, sic, brought a smile to my face, not enough to call someone a piece of toasted bread, but having to contract the term as well.

Right, this is going to be my last word on this subject.

My land-lady knows my name, and I know hers, we seldom use either, she is fluent in Thai (obviously) Laos, Khmer, English and Norwegian, when talking to each other, it's darling, babe, sweetheart, honey, tilak (we have been friends for a long time, and just friends before anyone starts)

She is a well respected member of this little community and will refer to me as 'farang' to others who do not know me and I just happen to be there, they do not know my name after all, it carries no more weight than, who is the blonde chap, who's that short guy, who is that bloke with the big nose etc

All these endless debates about farang being a negative term are becoming tedious, with that one it isn't the word, it's the inflection and the words following, in any language. (even more tedious is the Thai language experts who try to justify something that doesn't need justifying, it's just common sense)

The reason why words like Paki and the N word, with some others, are regarded as being derogatory is purely and simply because they have been used in a derogatory fashion for decades, nothing else.

Paki is a derogatory term I suppose.

In the book 'Black Hawk Down', a UN Officer consistently used the term 'Paki' in trying to organise Pakistani Armour to support the rescue operation.

I remember it being a little surprising at the time of my reading it.

What nationality was he? I suspect that 'Paki' as an insult is probably confined to the UK as that's the way it was first used here.

Paki is a derogatory term I suppose.

In the book 'Black Hawk Down', a UN Officer consistently used the term 'Paki' in trying to organise Pakistani Armour to support the rescue operation.

I remember it being a little surprising at the time of my reading it.

What nationality was he? I suspect that 'Paki' as an insult is probably confined to the UK as that's the way it was first used here.

That is interesting, words can bridge cultures or continents and be interchangable both derogatory and in common practise, dependent on your location.

But to answer the question, I tried to find the book to answer it more factually, but can't at this time, but from memory it was a U.S led expedition into Somalia and it was the Delta Force and Rangers in difficulty. the 10 Mountain Div were in reserve and it was U.S Special Forces leading the operations, but it was the Pakistani's who had the heavy armour, again from memory it was U.S Officers who used the term 'Paki'.