The OP didn't cop a load of flak because she didn't act like judge, jury and executioner on the opener. This OP stated what had happened then opened a debate as to whether it was acceptable behaviour in Switzerland.

That depends on you- how do you see the future of Switzerland? Are you willing to invest, to become part of the society by becoming Swiss, to acknowledge and protect the virtues of Swiss society? Or are you merely in the country as economic refugees, opportunists who take and never have respect let alone give back to the ordinary Swiss?
If you want change then you have to be open to being changed yourself that entails investing and committing something of yourself; socially and economically. So many foreigners in Switzeralnd can't be bothered- it is too much effort and in any case they have intention of staying, should the Swiss adapt to accommodate such people?

Why is it when the word "Nigger" comes out of a white man's mouth they are labelled as racist? And yet when a black man, called his fellow black man a "Nigger" No complaints whatsoever?

I'm sorry but I think some people are just over reacting on the subject.

Here's a relevant story for you.

I remember a year ago or so when I was still living in the U.K. There was news about banning the use of "Baa Baa Black Sheep" (children's nursery rhyme) on the grounds that it was racialist because of the word "Black". My first reaction was. You what??

Goodness me....is it 1986 already?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loony_l...aa_White_Sheep

I think the only sheep in this are those who read tabloid newspapers and believe what is written in them.

Cheers
Nick

I will buy you your copy of the Sun if it'll just keep you quiet. Your urban myth was created because the authors knew it would be positively lapped up by people who were absolutely gagging for it.

The word isn't "racist" and no one says it is. It's usage is usually racist. But I'm sure you understand that, don't you?

Instead of having a list of words that you should not use a list of words that can be used would be more helpful.

So, what are the proper words for the different skin colours?

This is always the question when I tell someone that I refuse to use the word "black" to refer to someone with darker skin.

I usually just say--whatever their name is

I don't know what to think anymore. It's raining acorns in Vaud right now.

Congratulations, you made it as far as recognizing that a double standard exists. Now you can work on analyzing the social and historical context behind all that. Oh, to be young and discover new things.

I might not know the person's name, I may even be describing them to someone who I think can tell me the name that I should put to that face.

I have very pale skin, the only people whiter than me are albino, I know this is used to describe me sometimes and I have no issue with it.

See, some of the people with darker skin refer to themselves as black. But I never heard any asians referring to themselves as yellow.

Maybe the difference is if the expression comes from outside or inside the particular group.

By 2050—earlier, probably—all real knowledge of Oldspeak will have disappeared. The whole literature of the past will have been destroyed. Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton, Byron—they'll exist only in Newspeak versions, not merely changed into something different, but actually contradictory of what they used to be. Even the literature of the Party will change. Even the slogans will change. How could you have a slogan like "freedom is slavery" when the concept of freedom has been abolished? The whole climate of thought will be different. In fact there will be no thought, as we understand it now. Orthodoxy means not thinking—not needing to think. Orthodoxy is unconsciousness.

George Orewll, 1984.

well, mexicans... ahh you figure it out vvvv

Many have no issues with it, but some do, and I find it to be a pretty weak generalization.

Again, it's just my opinion--but I have been called everything from 'white-boy' to the dreaded N-bomb. Personally I never get offended, but I know many Asians who's jaw's would drop if I referred to them by a general colour which is slightly similar to their's, in comparison to mine.

Oh man, I was like, things is gettin' heavy duty now... then I got to the sig line.

George was heavy duty, and painfully accurate in his foresight.

Cream, bone, white, off-white, ivory or beige

or using pantone colour charts?

I prefer hexidecimal.

When you refer to Chemmie, I am happy to be referred to as that #A26546 guy (depending on the time of year and my tanning schedule)

Save your pennies. I'm not a news paper person. News doesn't necessarily means it comes from a news paper. you do know that don't you?

Then what's the fuss about the word "Nigger/Näggr" then?

So you are saying, if you use the word "Nigger" with the intent of cussing someone who is black, it is an act of "racism". But if you have no intention of cussing them it is Okay? Okay fair dos. Your words not mine.

But I dare you introducing my friend to someone using the word "Nigger" (doesn't matter how you sugar coat the word) and see where it lands you.