Dave,
the comparison that you make is absolutelky uncalled for - for crying out loud - this a talk board for FFP - how can you make such an comparison is absolutely beyond me. Even more so that whilst several people have asked you to edit your post - you have failed to do so.

Cheers

Thomas

Well excuse me for actually having a life - you know what that is, a job, volunteer fire-fighter training, that sort of thing.

Unfortunately, unlike some people, I am not at my computer 24 /7 able to change a post when others feel it is needed. I have just come back to this thread to see what has developed.

FWIW, no malice was intended. I was not aware that patron is Austrian. The term "little Hitler" is a mild insult used often in Australia, and is not considered overly offensive. I CAN however see why Europeans, and particularly Germans and Austrians, would find it to be EXREMELY offensive.

If I had known that patron was Austrian, I would have chosen another term.

I stand by my comments though about his actions.

Dave

Thadocta, somehow I JUST KNEW the "we Australians use it all the time" arguement would come up... This is at least the 5th time I've read this on FT, when will someone in Australia go on TV and explain that calling someone this is NOT FUNNY and is obviously only accepted by fellow Australians??? Whether Patron is European or not, it's simply not done and never ceases to amaze me that some people don't understand this. I don't think it's just Europeans that would find this offensive, I doubt you'll find anyone (except Australians then) that find it acceptable.

Nothing personal here, just my amazement at some cultural differences...

I agree, it is completely amazing that there are some vast cultural differences. Something I consider to be run-of-the-mill constitutes 8 or so replies and changes to posts by flyertalk (GOD, no less).

The fact remains though that there are things in each culture which are considered offensive in other cultures. The word "twat" was mentioned elsewhere, it is normal in England, but has connotations elsewhere which make it offensive.

Part of being on an international BB is making sure that your posts do not offend those unfamiliar with your culture, but the obverse to this is realising that what may be offensive in YOUR culture might be innocuous in the posters culture.

After all, if I have to consider that what I am posting might be offensive to others (and sometimes get it wrong) why can't readers also take into account that what is offensive might be inoffensive to others? It works both ways, you know.

Dave

Not just Europeans, but also perhaps even Americans and anyone else who appreciates what Hitler stood for and managed to "accomplish" during his years in power.

But hey, like you say that's how things are in Australia -- so it's cool.

As a student of history, I am more aware than most of what Hitler managed to "accomplish". I had a great-uncle perish in the holocaust, so I am more aware than most.

Indeed, it IS the way things are in Australia - we have a "larrikan streak", and part of it involves taking the p**s out of ourselves (and others).

You need to actually be an Aussie to see where I am coming from, and if you are an Aussie you would KNOW that it was not meant to be offensive.

Dave

[This message has been edited by thadocta (edited 05-07-2003).]

Thanks Dave, I think it's obvious you had not intended to be offensive.

John Cleese managed to make it very funny in Fawltey Towers.

Not being one, I can't know (or have known) this was the case. However, I am more than willing to take your word for it. Thanks for the explanation.

Last time I looked my Birth Certificate said Ballarat, Victoria, AUSTRALIA.

Not everyone saw the 'humour' in it possibly?


[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 05-07-2003).]

As I have said before, our only remedy is not to visit those fora where Patron is a moderator. The authorities back his approach 100% as is their right.

The fact that (in the opinion of some of us) a forum ceases to be enjoyable when a moderator pours over every word eagerly looking for an excuse to close the thread down means that, if we don't like it, we should just go elsewhere.

I just wish the fora concerned were of less mainstream interest.

Stephen

[This message has been edited by sjharte (edited 05-08-2003).]

i bet my last penny that none of the australiens i know ( quite a few) considers it funny to call somebody a mass murderer , not even a "little" one and what happened to your relative under the rule of that monster makes it even more difficult for me to believe you think this is funny.

i reckon what you owe here is an apology , not a search for a sort of explaination.

Rightly or wrongly, the term "little H****r" is used quite often in English speaking countries to describe people who are very dicatorial in their behaviour. I can understand why people find it offensive and that is why I said to thadocta in an email I would not use that term here, as it is likely to be offensive to others.

Didn't say we thought it was funny, just that it was not overly offensive, and one which people do not consider to be insulting.

As for the apology, it will be a cold day in hell before that is forthcoming, since it isn't warranted.

Dave