SoCal Language Sensitivity

Therrin · 11th March 2008, 06:02 AM

NOTE: this thread is informational and not intended to be racist.

The other day I got called up to the large Camp & Conference Center up in the mountains in Southern California, where I used to work as a high ropes course and rock climbing instructor, to do a hazardous dismantle on a large pine.
A 35' leader had broken off and hinged over with the end slamming and smashing a guest's Rav4 suv. The remainder of it was still attatched partially to the trunk and the rest of it was suspended out over one of the large cabin buildings. I had been allotted an Adventure Rope/Rock Course program employee as a temp groundie for the job.

While up in the tree, I had asked to have a biner tied to the rope so I could pull up some equipment, and the girl says, "oh my gosh, we aren't allowed to use the word "biner" anymore, we have to say the whole word "carabiner".

I was pretty puzzled, and asked what the heck she was talking about.

Apparently, they had made a new rule not long ago consisting of what she told me, under the grounds of "racial sensitivity". They had had some problems in the past with some of the mexican groups who had come up to the place.

(mexicans are widely (slightly derrogatorily) reffered to in California and other states as "beaners". I don't know if it's because many of them tend to wear beanies as head-gear, or if it's from a cross-the-border thing with them working in the fields. "Biner" and "beaner" sound the exact same)
Either way, we tended to use alot of phrases that had caused confusion at some point when they people in the groups heard phrases like:

"bring that biner over here"
"uhoh, this beaner is really messed up"
"don't mess with the biners, you could get killed"
"make sure you've got enough biners when you get up there"
"we just got some new biners"
"make sure you don't step on any ropes or biners"
"when someone yells "ROCK!!" make sure not to look up, as you could be hit by a falling object, whether it's a rock, a biner, or whatever"
"this biner's ready for retirement"
etc etc etc

So I guess some of them heard that stuff and thought the staff members were talking about them, got all offended and complained about it, and now everyone at the camp has to use the full word "carabiner" in order not to offend anyone.

Pretty strange eh?

Quintrex · 11th March 2008, 09:38 PM

I thought Mexicans were called "beaners" because they eat a lot of re fried beans?
We Aussies are some times called "pie eaters" because of our meat pies. doesn't offend me.

Ekka · 11th March 2008, 11:50 PM

What the hell do they want to be called, I'm sure calling them Mexican's even offends them!

JayD · 12th March 2008, 12:15 AM

People need to get to get over this crap!..I'm white...So what..There's good and bad in all races.
The City next to me is called Blacktown,Once it was called Black'stown but was policticaly corrected to keep our indigineous folk happy, Now we have a lot of Sudanese folks who recently moved to the area drawn by I would say the name "Blactown"...IMO..Now there complaining about the name...Go Figgar!...Get Over It!
All The Best to all, I dont care what creed,race or colour you are.If your good folk that's all that matters.

pomme · 12th March 2008, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayD

People need to get to get over this crap!..I'm white...So what..There's good and bad in all races.
The City next to me is called Blacktown,Once it was called Black'stown but was policticaly corrected to keep our indigineous folk happy, Now we have a lot of Sudanese folks who recently moved to the area drawn by I would say the name "Blactown"...IMO..Now there complaining about the name...Go Figgar!...Get Over It!
All The Best to all, I dont care what creed,race or colour you are.If your good folk that's all that matters.

I agree all race s have nicknames for other races political correctness gone mad i Have worked in Black boy lane but i bet it s not called that anymore. i think the situation in england is prob the worst in the world but you guys aren t far behind, makes my blood boil

treeseer · 14th March 2008, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

What the hell do they want to be called, I'm sure calling them Mexican's even offends them!

Especially if they come from Guatemala! How can you assume their country of origin? Wonker!

It's hard for us who are in the majority understand discrimination. If we have to be extra considerate, it's a small price to pay for harmony.

Ekka · 14th March 2008, 10:16 PM

Around here, anything south of the border is a Mexican!

treeseer · 15th March 2008, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

Around here, anything south of the border is a Mexican!

Bingo. how would you like to be called a Chinaman, because you are west of the Pacific Ocean? Or an islander, because you live on a big island out that way? Anyone who called you that would be pretty ignorant, right? Get a mirror.

You put meat in pies? That sounds nasty.

Do you put fruit between buns with ketchup?

JayD · 15th March 2008, 01:45 AM

Bottom line is It's gone to far!Let's say for an white Australian to be called a dirty kangaroo,or a white convict from the colonial days and according to the powers that be it's not the same as being called black....I say bullcrap you cant say boo but they can call you what they like....Get over it!..if your white your white...and if your black your black...jeez.Some folk are thin skinned!

Therrin · 15th March 2008, 02:27 AM

If someone called me a chinaman or an islander for those reasons, I'd shrug it off. Just like I shrug off "yank" and "cracker".

But then, I'm not particularly sensitive about what people call me because it doesn't matter an inlking in the overall scheme of things.

What is it that people call the Irish anyway?

Ekka · 15th March 2008, 02:49 AM

Treeseer, I been called a lot worse.

Fruit between buns though ... ever heard of star fruit?

Think about it, the penny may drop.

treeseer · 15th March 2008, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

Treeseer, I been called a lot worse.

yes and roitly sayo!

Quote:

Fruit between buns though ... ever heard of star fruit?

another obscure aussie reference. over here, star fruit is carambola a tasty snack sliced and used as a garnish.

Quote:

Think about it, the penny may drop.

???

Irish are micks, or potato eaters, there are others.

You and I have been majoritarians in our societies all our lives. We have no clue what others feel.

playfordtree · 15th March 2008, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treeseer

Bingo. how would you like to be called a Chinaman, because you are west of the Pacific Ocean? Or an islander, because you live on a big island out that way? Anyone who called you that would be pretty ignorant, right? Get a mirror.

You put meat in pies? That sounds nasty.

Do you put fruit between buns with ketchup?

Ease up Turbo!

Let me give you a little geography lesson, China is bordered by the East China Sea, the Korean Bay, the Yellow Sea and the South China Sea.

China is nowhere near the Pacific Ocean.
(sounds like you wouldnt know your ass from your elbow)

In fact we are more west of Mexico than we are of China, so you may as well call me a Mexican.

Obviously your brain is suffering from a lack of complex B group vitamins.

My suggestion,

eat some meat ya bloody vegan.

treeseer · 15th March 2008, 10:33 AM

bloody vegan ararar

Heck, "Beaner" is a compliment, because it refers to a sustainable lifestyle, unlike carnivorousness.

But singed flesh does have its advantages--much better than tofu to

afterwards.

o and your correction falls flat; "Let me give you a little geography lesson, China is bordered by the East China Sea, the Korean Bay, the Yellow Sea and the South China Sea."

is all well and good, but I wrote that China is west of the Pacific, which it still bloody well is. Before lecturing on Geography again, pass Reading Comprehension 101, okay?

just playin with ya playford...

hartley · 15th March 2008, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Therrin

NOTE:
"bring that biner over here"
"uhoh, this beaner is really messed up"
"don't mess with the biners, you could get killed"
"make sure you've got enough biners when you get up there"
"we just got some new biners"
"make sure you don't step on any ropes or biners"
"when someone yells "ROCK!!" make sure not to look up, as you could be hit by a falling object, whether it's a rock, a biner, or whatever"
"this biner's ready for retirement"
etc etc etc

So I guess some of them heard that stuff and thought the staff members were talking about them, got all offended and complained about it, and now everyone at the camp has to use the full word "carabiner" in order not to offend anyone.

Pretty strange eh?

Surely people have to realise that "biner" used in that context is just short for "carabiner"!

Plitical correctness does have its place but in situations like this youve gotta get a grip!

Ekka · 15th March 2008, 03:42 PM

When in Queensland anything south of the border that is referred to as Mexican is pretty much NSW, SA, VIC, ACT and Tasmanians.

The colloquialism was locally adopted from the high influx of these southerners (mimicked from

11th March 2008, 06:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,254	SoCal Language Sensitivity NOTE: this thread is informational and not intended to be racist. The other day I got called up to the large Camp & Conference Center up in the mountains in Southern California, where I used to work as a high ropes course and rock climbing instructor, to do a hazardous dismantle on a large pine. A 35' leader had broken off and hinged over with the end slamming and smashing a guest's Rav4 suv. The remainder of it was still attatched partially to the trunk and the rest of it was suspended out over one of the large cabin buildings. I had been allotted an Adventure Rope/Rock Course program employee as a temp groundie for the job. While up in the tree, I had asked to have a biner tied to the rope so I could pull up some equipment, and the girl says, "oh my gosh, we aren't allowed to use the word "biner" anymore, we have to say the whole word "carabiner". I was pretty puzzled, and asked what the heck she was talking about. Apparently, they had made a new rule not long ago consisting of what she told me, under the grounds of "racial sensitivity". They had had some problems in the past with some of the mexican groups who had come up to the place. (mexicans are widely (slightly derrogatorily) reffered to in California and other states as "beaners". I don't know if it's because many of them tend to wear beanies as head-gear, or if it's from a cross-the-border thing with them working in the fields. "Biner" and "beaner" sound the exact same) Either way, we tended to use alot of phrases that had caused confusion at some point when they people in the groups heard phrases like: "bring that biner over here" "uhoh, this beaner is really messed up" "don't mess with the biners, you could get killed" "make sure you've got enough biners when you get up there" "we just got some new biners" "make sure you don't step on any ropes or biners" "when someone yells "ROCK!!" make sure not to look up, as you could be hit by a falling object, whether it's a rock, a biner, or whatever" "this biner's ready for retirement" etc etc etc So I guess some of them heard that stuff and thought the staff members were talking about them, got all offended and complained about it, and now everyone at the camp has to use the full word "carabiner" in order not to offend anyone. Pretty strange eh? __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

11th March 2008, 09:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
Quintrex Mature tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 441	Re: SoCal Language Sensitivity I thought Mexicans were called "beaners" because they eat a lot of re fried beans? We Aussies are some times called "pie eaters" because of our meat pies. doesn't offend me. __________________ Heightmaster

11th March 2008, 11:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,869	Re: SoCal Language Sensitivity What the hell do they want to be called, I'm sure calling them Mexican's even offends them! __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

12th March 2008, 12:15 AM	#4 (permalink)
JayD Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 886	Re: SoCal Language Sensitivity People need to get to get over this crap!..I'm white...So what..There's good and bad in all races. The City next to me is called Blacktown,Once it was called Black'stown but was policticaly corrected to keep our indigineous folk happy, Now we have a lot of Sudanese folks who recently moved to the area drawn by I would say the name "Blactown"...IMO..Now there complaining about the name...Go Figgar!...Get Over It! All The Best to all, I dont care what creed,race or colour you are.If your good folk that's all that matters. __________________ Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory

14th March 2008, 10:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,869	Re: SoCal Language Sensitivity Around here, anything south of the border is a Mexican! __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

15th March 2008, 01:45 AM	#9 (permalink)
JayD Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 886	Re: SoCal Language Sensitivity Bottom line is It's gone to far!Let's say for an white Australian to be called a dirty kangaroo,or a white convict from the colonial days and according to the powers that be it's not the same as being called black....I say bullcrap you cant say boo but they can call you what they like....Get over it!..if your white your white...and if your black your black...jeez.Some folk are thin skinned! __________________ Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory

15th March 2008, 02:27 AM	#10 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,254	Re: SoCal Language Sensitivity If someone called me a chinaman or an islander for those reasons, I'd shrug it off. Just like I shrug off "yank" and "cracker". But then, I'm not particularly sensitive about what people call me because it doesn't matter an inlking in the overall scheme of things. What is it that people call the Irish anyway? __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

15th March 2008, 02:49 AM	#11 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,869	Re: SoCal Language Sensitivity Treeseer, I been called a lot worse. Fruit between buns though ... ever heard of star fruit? Think about it, the penny may drop. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

15th March 2008, 10:33 AM	#14 (permalink)
treeseer Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SE USA Posts: 527	Re: SoCal Language Sensitivity bloody vegan ararar Heck, "Beaner" is a compliment, because it refers to a sustainable lifestyle, unlike carnivorousness. But singed flesh does have its advantages--much better than tofu to afterwards. o and your correction falls flat; "Let me give you a little geography lesson, China is bordered by the East China Sea, the Korean Bay, the Yellow Sea and the South China Sea." is all well and good, but I wrote that China is west of the Pacific, which it still bloody well is. Before lecturing on Geography again, pass Reading Comprehension 101, okay? just playin with ya playford... __________________ Guy Meilleur \| Forensic Arborist \| Better Tree Care

15th March 2008, 03:42 PM	#16 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,869	Re: SoCal Language Sensitivity When in Queensland anything south of the border that is referred to as Mexican is pretty much NSW, SA, VIC, ACT and Tasmanians. The colloquialism was locally adopted from the high influx of these southerners (mimicked from