Topic ID 2799
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Reply ID 40286
Please describe what you've seen
Reply ID 40305
quote:Perhaps they were trappers brought in by EHDC to flush out the Beast of Hertford?
Originally posted by Ewoowarquote:When I was in the town on Friday evening I saw 5 traffic parking attendant wardens together. They all looked like they were from Nepal. Nowt wrong with it. Just unusual.
Originally posted by Steve
Please describe what you've seen
Reply ID 40306
I'm not sure I could identify Nepalese by sight alone, and I'm surprised that you can.
Reply ID 40307
quote:Maybe the climbing on top of the cars gave it away [?]
Originally posted by shunt
I'm not sure I could identify Nepalese by sight alone, and I'm surprised that you can.
Reply ID 40309
quote:Hmmm, you guys are determined to run with this, aren't you? Please be very careful what is said in the name of humour, for admin's sake at least. [V]
Originally posted by shaunquote:Maybe the climbing on top of the cars gave it away [?]
Originally posted by shunt
I'm not sure I could identify Nepalese by sight alone, and I'm surprised that you can.
Reply ID 40323
The most wardens in Hertford I have seen together was 6, every day I live in hope of increasing this.
Reply ID 40324
I think there's a problem with recruitment and retention of wardens, hence it's highly unlikely that you'll become familiar with your local operatives for long. It's a pretty unpleasant job and requires a standard of accuracy that many don't achieve. Most get fed up or sacked before the time where they would gain any employment rights. Many more underestimate the level of abuse they are likely to face. The group you saw were most likely trainees, either new to the job or being familiarised with the area. My previous caution was to steer away from racial references, whatever might have been meant. I've learned that meaning is often interpreted by the reader.
Reply ID 40333
quote:This has cracked me up - so funny. They are actually from Sri Lanka - don't know why they would want to come to England to be Wardens, but next time I see them I will ask!
Originally posted by Ewoowarquote:Let me simplify things. The traffic wardens have been around for a while and many are recognisable not just because of the uniforms. Their faces have become well known. On Friday a group of 5 traffic wardens are seen walking around in a group. They are wardens I had never seen before, they all have very similar facial features and look similar, and they are walking around in a group of 5. I do not recall seeing a group of 5 traffic wardens before. So, what happened? Have the others been sacked? Were they not hitting targets (which of course there are none). Are they Nepalese? Frankly I don't know. I used that description because the only point of reference I could think of was a Gurkha and Gurkhas are Nepalese (I think). Strewth............
Originally posted by shunt
I'm not sure I could identify Nepalese by sight alone, and I'm surprised that you can.
Reply ID 40336
quote:(You think?) Ignorance is bliss Ewoowar. At least one of the Wardens is Sri Lankan, another I spoke to comes from Romford and is English. What's race got to do with it anyway Ewoowar? [:(]
Originally posted by Ewoowar
Are they Nepalese? Frankly I don't know. I used that description because the only point of reference I could think of was a Gurkha and Gurkhas are Nepalese (I think).
Reply ID 40345
This Race PC thing is getting out of hand. Language is used to convey meaning. If someone says a chap looks Nepalise it conveys a meaning which I understand. Indeed, the thought of a troop of Ghurka TW's has a certain comedic value. It does not, in itself, raise any racism issues unless you have targeted a particluar group which you know is sensitive to the issue.
Reply ID 40347
What Dreamer said......some mightly sensitive people on this thread. So these group of 5 must be new as I saw the other group of 3* on Saturday in town. * without offending anyone, the non-gurkha type TW's
Reply ID 40356
Has anyone seen 'little miss Jocelyn' patrolling the streets of Hertford dressed as a parking attendant? Or is it just me? [;)]
Reply ID 40361
quote:Not so. The risk is the reference to any particular racial appearance. One wouldn't say "I saw a group of five white traffic wardens... they looked like they were from Weston-Super-Mare". It is irrelevent which country or race is assumed. Racism is more commonly unintentional, than malicious. The criteria is not set by the presence or absence of objection by any group, or offence being taken. However, in this case, I was only concerned with the legal implications, should others be tempted to continue the theme. I seriously doubt if any offence would be taken by the persons mentioned, thus far.
Originally posted by Dreamer
This Race PC thing is getting out of hand. Language is used to convey meaning. If someone says a chap looks Nepalise it conveys a meaning which I understand. Indeed, the thought of a troop of Ghurka TW's has a certain comedic value. It does not, in itself, raise any racism issues unless you have targeted a particluar group which you know is sensitive to the issue.
Reply ID 40366
quote:I just had coffee coming out of my nose! Stop it now![:D]
Originally posted by arkwright
Has anyone seen 'little miss Jocelyn' patrolling the streets of Hertford dressed as a parking attendant? Or is it just me? [;)]
Reply ID 40369
This topic has come up before on describing the nationality of 'purse dippers'. Over the Hertford Town Watch link we used to use the IC1 male type of thing but by the time you've run down the list of IC's you've forgotten what you're talking about. So now its quite PC to say 'black, asian, white etc etc' as long as you do not sink into racial or sexual abuse. And the main thing is to get out a description that is easy to understand for everyone else and easy for the CCTV operators to be able to pick up the subject on camera. Therefore Ewoowar's description of 5 Nepalese would be perfect if they had been acting suspiciously (issuing penalty notices doesn't count).
Reply ID 40373
quote:LOL! I've seen her! I have to look away everytime as I just have 'And its gonna take a looooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggggggg time' go through my head!!![:D]
Originally posted by Kitty Katquote:I just had coffee coming out of my nose! Stop it now![:D]
Originally posted by arkwright
Has anyone seen 'little miss Jocelyn' patrolling the streets of Hertford dressed as a parking attendant? Or is it just me? [;)]
Reply ID 40374
quote:I don't think you have. My concern was simply for what may have developed.
Originally posted by Ewoowar
Apologies if I have offended any Nepalese, Gurkhas or traffic wardens.
Reply ID 40376
quote:Thinking: swarm of bees, herd of cattle, shoal of fish...... waddle of wardens [?]
The most wardens in Hertford I have seen together was 6,
Reply ID 40387
It's simply the context Ewoowar. You created an image and it could (underlined) be taken the wrong way. Imagine if you had spoken those words from Parliament Square towards a large group of people outside Cafe Rouge that you didn't know?
Reply ID 40396
I have worked with the Gurkha regiment (motto - better to die than be a coward), a very proud race of people with no less than 26 V.C's awarded. Not sure how they would react to being allied to parking attendants, maybe not such a noble breed?. Brave yes, but noble? Would be interesting to see a swarm of them running at illegal parkers brandishing Kukri knives!. Surely this is not a racist issue, but just an observation of appearance?
Reply ID 40481
quote:Of for goodness sake - get a grip. It was a lighthearted observation on traffic wardens, they used to be known as 'the Yellow Peril' when I was a kid (showing my age now!) No one likes them whatever they look like
Originally posted by James007
It's simply the context Ewoowar. You created an image and it could (underlined) be taken the wrong way. Imagine if you had spoken those words from Parliament Square towards a large group of people outside Cafe Rouge that you didn't know?
Reply ID 40487
quote:I don't think it's possible to offend a traffic warden. Sadly. But if it were, would anyone care? I think I would care, to the point of enjoying it, actually.
Originally posted by Ewoowar
Apologies if I have offended any Nepalese, Gurkhas or traffic wardens.
Reply ID 40492
quote:But nothing did develop until you suggested something might!
Originally posted by shuntquote:I don't think you have. My concern was simply for what may have developed.
Originally posted by Ewoowar
Apologies if I have offended any Nepalese, Gurkhas or traffic wardens.
Reply ID 40493
quote:He didn't create any image that could be taken the wrong way. He simply created an image to allow people to picture in their minds what he saw. What is "wrong way" about it? Political correctness gone mad arrives at Hertford.net!
Originally posted by James007
It's simply the context Ewoowar. You created an image and it could (underlined) be taken the wrong way.
Reply ID 40513
quote:Well said Dude
Originally posted by Dude He didn't create any image that could be taken the wrong way. He simply created an image to allow people to picture in their minds what he saw. What is "wrong way" about it? Political correctness gone mad arrives at Hertford.net!
Reply ID 40524
quote:I am really shocked that I have to explain this. The post and the element of humour within it, though not in any way malicious, was based entirely on the ethnicity of the persons concerned. It would not have been posted as "I saw five traffic wardens". I shudder to think what was meant by the "climbing on top of cars" post which followed.
Originally posted by Dudequote:He didn't create any image that could be taken the wrong way. He simply created an image to allow people to picture in their minds what he saw. What is "wrong way" about it? Political correctness gone mad arrives at Hertford.net!
Originally posted by James007
It's simply the context Ewoowar. You created an image and it could (underlined) be taken the wrong way.
Reply ID 40526
quote:You are joking, right?
Originally posted by shunt I shudder to think what was meant by the "climbing on top of cars" post which followed.
Reply ID 40527
quote:I don't get it and have no idea what was meant by it. It may refer to some incident of which I am not aware. There could be several connotations.
Originally posted by Leo Densianquote:You are joking, right?
Originally posted by shunt I shudder to think what was meant by the "climbing on top of cars" post which followed.
Reply ID 40535
quote:Ghurkas - Nepal - Mountains - Climbing
Originally posted by shuntquote:I don't get it and have no idea what was meant by it. It may refer to some incident of which I am not aware. There could be several connotations.
Originally posted by Leo Densianquote:You are joking, right?
Originally posted by shunt I shudder to think what was meant by the "climbing on top of cars" post which followed.
Reply ID 40536
Blimey! That takes a leap of sequencing! Though I wouldn't have associated Ghurkas with climbing, particularly (Sherpas, maybe), I suppose that being mountainous, climbing must be part of living there. Thanks. Illustrates my point though. Once a racial reference is added the risk of mis-interpretation becomes an issue, whereas without it, there is no risk. I didn't get that sequence and hence found several others in my search for some meaning, some innocent, some not. I am greatly relieved by your clarification.
Reply ID 40537
Doesn't that just illustrate the point that a lot of so-called racism is merely inside the head of the whistleblower, not the originator?
Reply ID 40539
quote:No. The original post relied on a racial feature to work. If that had not been there, there could be no mis-interpretation of what followed. I too might have thought as Ewoowar did if I'd seen the scene he describes, as might we all. I too might have chuckled about it to myself. John pointed out that to describe an individual, or specific group by racial characteristics is perfectly acceptable, if the reason for identifying them is not connected with their racial origin. To comment only because of their racial origin, is different. Generally, if anyone does express unease about a racial issue, they are almost certainly bombarded by the politically motivated tabloid accusation of "PC gone mad", which adequately explains why we need the ugly title in the first place. "Whisteblower" indicates that someone has done something wrong. I don't think that is the case. During my life, I have experience racism on an extreme level at times. Though few would fail to recognise or condemn such racism, equally few recognise that it is present in us all. Intentional racism is fed by passive racism, innocent people who would be horrified to think of themselves as racist. I am one of them. Hence the need for the pro-active safeguards in a society which, even in Hertford, is becoming increasingly multi-cultural.
Originally posted by Pez
Doesn't that just illustrate the point that a lot of so-called racism is merely inside the head of the whistleblower, not the originator?
Reply ID 40545
You aren't half getting some milage out of this shunt. Perhaps let it go now eh.
Reply ID 40548
quote:Oh please. I hate getting stuck in these rounders, believe it or not. Particularly since no harm was meant.
Originally posted by Sargasso
You aren't half getting some milage out of this shunt. Perhaps let it go now eh.
Reply ID 40550
Please Admin - lock topic now?
Reply ID 40556
This thread does appear to have lost it's focus.
Reply ID 40584
quote:Agreed - shades of the gay pub debate is on the cards at this rate
Originally posted by Sargasso
You aren't half getting some milage out of this shunt. Perhaps let it go now eh.
Reply ID 40592
quote:For the love of God no[:0]
Originally posted by Leo Densianquote:Agreed - shades of the gay pub debate is on the cards at this rate
Originally posted by Sargasso
You aren't half getting some milage out of this shunt. Perhaps let it go now eh.
Reply ID 40600
quote:The thread never had a focus, apart from to sneer at a group of people doing their job. [V] Thank you Shunt for sticking up for what's right, even though you knew you'd get a load of flack for it. [^]
Originally posted by Admin
This thread does appear to have lost its focus.