Cultural Differences and Forum Moderation
By
Alasdair,
Posted on: 2009-07-31 22:06 in The European Lounge
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As well as the f** / cigarette confusion, there is also the previously mentioned f*ggot/bundle of sticks as well as f*ggot/kind of spicy pork meatball and my personal favourite, fagging: a form of social order in British public schools (private schools to you septics out there), which is where we get the slightly archaic "fagged out".
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Originally Posted by Alasdair
You may want to research 'f**got gatherer' as that appears to be what you are thinking of. In any case there is no connection between that and the US term for gay men.
I think we can officially blame the yanks for this one.  |
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I would hope that no one i ever team with would ever use that word with me on the team and to take devilish delight i find offensive. That means to me that you would like to cause harm to others by saying that word just to have a laugh at the people you may be hurting. I wouldnt stay on a team that used language like that or any slurs. And i know there are people who say it with honeslty no intent on being mean if they are from a different area of the world but to know you are causing harm causes issues for alot of other people. I find that sad and not funny in the least bit.
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Originally Posted by MrCaptainMan_NA
The F-word that's an informal synonym for 'cigarette' in the UK? When i used to smoke, I'd take devilish delight in telling my PuG members on Freedom that I was having a short break to 'go and smoke a f-g. BRB' - combined with the US informal definition of 'to smoke sb', I'm sure it caused some raised eyebrows.
 Eco. |
Was asking for an invite to my villan group the other night when the leader said he couldnt get my characters name to work. This is basically because the character name I had on my old EU account was taken so I added puncutation. Makes sense? So I told him to add a "full stop" after the name. Caused about 5 miuntes of confusion until it struck me he wasnt familar with that term. I know across the Atlantic have a different name for a full stop which is "period" but it hadnt occured to me our name was totally unfamilar.
I clarified fairly quickly after 2 eniquires when the penny dropped but it did serve as a reminder. And a little education for those on the American continent. What you generally call a period we call a full stop.
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Honestly I have never heard that term fagging in reference to a social order in British Society at all. Has ny other of my fellown countrymen and women here?
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Originally Posted by scapegoat_EU
As well as the f** / cigarette confusion, there is also the previously mentioned f*ggot/bundle of sticks as well as f*ggot/kind of spicy pork meatball and my personal favourite, fagging: a form of social order in British public schools (private schools to you septics out there), which is where we get the slightly archaic "fagged out".
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Fagging has pretty much died out in Public Schools in Britain these days. At least in the strict form of younger boys being basically the servants of sixth formers. |
Originally Posted by Lodestar_1977
Honestly I have never heard that term fagging in reference to a social order in British Society at all. Has ny other of my fellown countrymen and women here?
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Along with most of the regular beatings
However, it turned out that Smith was not a time-travelling Terminator
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I'm starting to get an idea of why you Brits are the way you are |
Originally Posted by Kiken
Fagging has pretty much died out in Public Schools in Britain these days. At least in the strict form of younger boys being basically the servants of sixth formers.
Along with most of the regular beatings |
@Golden Girl
City of Heroes comics and artwork
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People celebrate that have no Irish roots whatsoever. It's really a celebration of Irish immigration and assimilation, not to mention the drinking of beer. Cinco de Mayo is becoming the same thing. It's being celebrated by more and more people who don't have any Mexican heritage at all, but like beer.|
Originally Posted by LostNinja
St Patrick's day is actually quite big in the US, most of New York seems to claim Irish roots.
 Oh and isn't Welsh St. David's day? |
Apologies for getting my red white and blue all over the Euro section of the forum.
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Aye. We tend to use "period" for... something totally unrelated to punctuation... |
Originally Posted by Lodestar_1977
I clarified fairly quickly after 2 eniquires when the penny dropped but it did serve as a reminder. And a little education for those on the American continent. What you generally call a period we call a full stop.
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@FloatingFatMan
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
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I almost hit 600 XD
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Originally Posted by EU_Damz
Us EU players have big plans for these boards
Oh and i sooooo didnt realise i had so many messages! 140 pms!!!! I swear i deleted most of them :S |
He will honor his words; he will definitely carry out his actions. What he promises he will fulfill. He does not care about his bodily self, putting his life and death aside to come forward for another's troubled besiegement. He does not boast about his ability, or shamelessly extol his own virtues. - Sima Qian.
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We would of celebrated our own more if it was deemed politically correct.
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Originally Posted by Camper
People celebrate that have no Irish roots whatsoever. It's really a celebration of Irish immigration and assimilation, not to mention the drinking of beer. Cinco de Mayo is becoming the same thing. It's being celebrated by more and more people who don't have any Mexican heritage at all, but like beer.
Apologies for getting my red white and blue all over the Euro section of the forum. |
He will honor his words; he will definitely carry out his actions. What he promises he will fulfill. He does not care about his bodily self, putting his life and death aside to come forward for another's troubled besiegement. He does not boast about his ability, or shamelessly extol his own virtues. - Sima Qian.
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How... Totally totally pathetic... |
Originally Posted by GrinningSpade
Post Deleted by Moderator_08
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So much for embracing the cultural differences. How about the US lot simply accept that a spade isn't just an offensive term? I can see us EU folks rapidly losing our identities in favour of American mores...
Fight for it mate. You've had that handle on the CoH boards since Dec 2007 and it's not been a problem with ANYONE, so why should you have to change it NOW?
@FloatingFatMan
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
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We already established that spade isn't currently in the censored list of words - which is good as in RL I do tend to use the phrase call a spade a spade (which,afaik, derives from digging implements). |
Originally Posted by GrinningSpade
Post Deleted by Moderator_08
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But I can see that the name as a whole being frowned upon - partly as, if spade is taken in it's offensive US usage, it could be reminiscent of caricatured blacks/africans being almost pitch black with just white eyes and grinning/smiling white teeth visible. An image from a bygone age which would be offensive to many these days.
I'm trying to recall what your avatar was and so what the old theatre style was... Did you have a vaudeville song & dance act as an avatar? Or was it a recreation of an early play at the original Globe?
Can't recall it being anything I spotted as potentially offensive (on either side of the pond) whereas the name was always likely to be problematic US side.
Just hope that if the server lists ever do merge that they don't make you change your in-game names (since they are not derived from spade used as a racial-epithet).
BTW - I say blacks/africans as I'm not sure what term is the accepted norm for readers... And acceptable terms may vary around the world.
By my mohawk shall ye know me!
my toons
Funny: Ee-Ai-Ee-Ai-Oh! #3662 * The foul-mouthed Handyman! #1076 * City of Norms #132944
Serious: To Save A Single World (#83744) * Marketing Opportunity (#83747)
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I still don't see why he should. We haven't joined the US forums, the two sides have merged to form a new community, therefore what's acceptable on one sides culture should be acceptable on the boards. I don't see it as acceptable that the EU residents should have to give way to the US culture where there are differences, just like they shouldn't have to give way to us.|
Originally Posted by Judgement_Dave
But I can see that the name as a whole being frowned upon - partly as, if spade is taken in it's offensive US usage, it could be reminiscent of caricatured blacks/africans being almost pitch black with just white eyes and grinning/smiling white teeth visible. An image from a bygone age which would be offensive to many these days.
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As the French would say... Vive la différence!
EDIT I think we need clear guidance from the rednames on this issue, and quickly. In the case of a cultural difference being objectional to one side but not the other, will it be allowed to remain, or will the objection be sustained? Because if that's the case, then maybe merging the forums wasn't a good idea after all.
@FloatingFatMan
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
I wonder if there's a corresponding term tgats offensive in britain but accepted in the US?
You can change your forum name to GrinningShovel, maybe?
Eco
MArcs:
The Echo, Arc ID 1688 (5mish, easy, drama)
The Audition, Arc ID 221240 (6 mish, complex mech, comedy)
Storming Citadel, Arc ID 379488 (lowbie, 1mish, 10-min timed)
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Originally Posted by Samuel_Tow
[The Incarnate System is] Jack Emmert all over again, only this time it's not "1 hero = 3 white minions" it's "1 hero = 3 white rocks."
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Originally Posted by FloatingFatMan
I still don't see why he should. We haven't joined the US forums, the two sides have merged to form a new community, therefore what's acceptable on one sides culture should be acceptable on the boards. I don't see it as acceptable that the EU residents should have to give way to the US culture where there are differences, just like they shouldn't have to give way to us.
As the French would say... Vive la différence! EDIT I think we need clear guidance from the rednames on this issue, and quickly. In the case of a cultural difference being objectional to one side but not the other, will it be allowed to remain, or will the objection be sustained? Because if that's the case, then maybe merging the forums wasn't a good idea after all. |
We shouldnt kid ourselves. This wasnt a true merge. This was the US forums changing their look etc and incorporating the EU forums.
US culture will take precedence, I'm sure.
Eco
MArcs:
The Echo, Arc ID 1688 (5mish, easy, drama)
The Audition, Arc ID 221240 (6 mish, complex mech, comedy)
Storming Citadel, Arc ID 379488 (lowbie, 1mish, 10-min timed)
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Samuel_Tow
[The Incarnate System is] Jack Emmert all over again, only this time it's not "1 hero = 3 white minions" it's "1 hero = 3 white rocks."
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Nor do I.|
Originally Posted by FloatingFatMan
I still don't see why he should.
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But I can see why the name is frowned upon by the US.
Of course, ideally, one would hope that no-one objected to the name GrinningSpade, but if anyone did I'd hope that it'd be explained to them that Spade has multiple meanings and the name is ok. And if a complainant was still unhappy - get a thicker skin.
But it may partly be because if GrinningSpade can use this name and it's ok then what if someone else uses a similar name but refering to the racial epithet? Maybe they'd cite GS's use of Spade as proof that their name should be ok.
So I create DeadSpade. If I'm challenged of course it's a reference to the Ace of Spades and an undead villain... But mahself and mah good white buddies all no wot I reelly mean. he he.
Sad but I could see some burk doing that.
It'd be good if admin/mods/GMs look at every case/complaint individually - but I rather fear that blanket banning/changing of certain names is probably the path of least resistance.
By my mohawk shall ye know me!
my toons
Funny: Ee-Ai-Ee-Ai-Oh! #3662 * The foul-mouthed Handyman! #1076 * City of Norms #132944
Serious: To Save A Single World (#83744) * Marketing Opportunity (#83747)
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And if that's the case, then I say seperate the boards again, immediately. Our community was just as rich and vibrant as yours, and there's no way we should have to lose our identity in face of the merger.
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Originally Posted by MrCaptainMan_NA
US culture will take precedence, I'm sure.
Eco |
@FloatingFatMan
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
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I agree. |
Originally Posted by FloatingFatMan
I still don't see why he should. We haven't joined the US forums, the two sides have merged to form a new community, therefore what's acceptable on one sides culture should be acceptable on the boards. I don't see it as acceptable that the EU residents should have to give way to the US culture where there are differences, just like they shouldn't have to give way to us.
As the French would say... Vive la différence! EDIT I think we need clear guidance from the rednames on this issue, and quickly. In the case of a cultural difference being objectional to one side but not the other, will it be allowed to remain, or will the objection be sustained? Because if that's the case, then maybe merging the forums wasn't a good idea after all. |
Where I come from, Bukakke is totally normal, legal and acceptable.
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Don't censor me because of your hypocritical American political correctness!
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Perhaps locking it down so that names created prior to the merger come under the rules present prior to the merger (and GrinningSpade was FINE for over 18 months on the EU forums), and any new ones created after the merger come under the new rules.|
Originally Posted by Judgement_Dave
It'd be good if admin/mods/GMs look at every case/complaint individually - but I rather fear that blanket banning/changing of certain names is probably the path of least resistance. |
That's the only fair way to handle it, IMO.
@FloatingFatMan
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
I've seen Boston Legal, I know how these things work. We just have to prove GrinningSpade is not in control of his senses, and is unfit to stand trial. This shouldn't be too hard. 
But I doubt Avatea would mention any problems with his name/avatar unless there have been more than a couple of complaints; and at the same time, I have no idea why "spade" is considered derogatory, I'll have to look it up. Some things are going to change (I'm definitely going to giggle myself silly anytime I see someone refer to a bottom using the word we use for a particular lady part), I guess we just have to hope it's not going to cause us to lose our names/identity.
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The only two I can think of, off the top of my head, are fanny and ****** (and the verb to wank). |
Originally Posted by MrCaptainMan_NA
offensive in britain but accepted in the US?
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Hmmm - Notice that the noun is censoored but the verb isn't.
Fanny, as mentioned elsewhere, appears to be a quite innocent term for a bottom in the US.
****** has made it into a few US sitcoms before - and seems to be used ignorant of the British meaning - although knowing sitcom writers it probably is known in at least some cases. I believe ****** is also a German surname, and was used as a surname in Married with Children.
Which makes me wonder on top of this: Do posters who usually only post in the German/French boards and have names that are innocent in their native tongue but potentially objectionable to some people in English get censored/changed?
By my mohawk shall ye know me!
my toons
Funny: Ee-Ai-Ee-Ai-Oh! #3662 * The foul-mouthed Handyman! #1076 * City of Norms #132944
Serious: To Save A Single World (#83744) * Marketing Opportunity (#83747)
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Abusive term for a black person - probably derived from the colour of the suit in playing cards.|
Originally Posted by Stasisesque
I have no idea why "spade" is considered derogatory
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Pretty much unused in British English but quite common in US English iirc.
Also, afaik, they refer to digging spades as shovels. So a US spade is either the card suit or a racial epithet.
By my mohawk shall ye know me!
my toons
Funny: Ee-Ai-Ee-Ai-Oh! #3662 * The foul-mouthed Handyman! #1076 * City of Norms #132944
Serious: To Save A Single World (#83744) * Marketing Opportunity (#83747)
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No, no, no and HELL no. I think that FFM has come up with the most sensible suggestion so far, with allowing pre-existing names, but blocking future ones, but it strikes me as being particularly closed-minded to only accept as "correct" the US way of looking at things.|
Originally Posted by MrCaptainMan_NA
We shouldnt kid ourselves. This wasnt a true merge. This was the US forums changing their look etc and incorporating the EU forums.
US culture will take precedence, I'm sure. Eco |
Please, Rednames, if this is truly a merger of the two forums, then allow us to merge the cultures, hash out our differences, and once the dust has settled, then start wielding the modhammer of D0000000M!
The wisdom of Shadowe: Ghostraptor: The Shadowe is wise ...; FFM: Shadowe is no longer wise.
; Techbot_Alpha: Also, what Shadowe said. It seems he is still somewhat wise ; Bull Throttle: Shadowe was unwise in this instance...; Rock_Powerfist: in this instance Shadowe is wise.; Techbot_Alpha: Shadowe is very wise *nods*; Zortel: *Quotable line about Shadowe being wise goes here.*
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I'm reminded of a Jim Davidson joke: An old English lady is on holiday in the States - New York, in fact - and catches a cab. Cab driver looks over his shoulder and says "Don't worry, you just sit there on your fanny and we'll be there in no time."|
Originally Posted by Stasisesque
I(I'm definitely going to giggle myself silly anytime I see someone refer to a bottom using the word we use for a particular lady part)
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To which the old lady replies "What, you mean... lean forward?"
(Hey, I never said it was funny!)
The wisdom of Shadowe: Ghostraptor: The Shadowe is wise ...; FFM: Shadowe is no longer wise.
; Techbot_Alpha: Also, what Shadowe said. It seems he is still somewhat wise ; Bull Throttle: Shadowe was unwise in this instance...; Rock_Powerfist: in this instance Shadowe is wise.; Techbot_Alpha: Shadowe is very wise *nods*; Zortel: *Quotable line about Shadowe being wise goes here.*
Yes well as you say. Could be a squirrel could be mouse who knows?
There was this thread in the Age of Conan forums where you were asked to type your name or some info with your chin. Managed to migrate over to The Secret World forums too.