Is it racist to say 'that's a bit greek' when someone does or says soemthing lewd?

Question

it shouldn't be racist because you're referring to ancient greeks and not modern ones.

Answer 1

It is a little. But being racist is a difficult question to answer. There are two aspects to it. 1.The stereotyping. 2.The hatred of people from another race.

If you can accept people at face value and not have racist intent or feeling then it is okay to make these types of comment in jest.

I as a Greek am not offended as long as people accept me as an individual first before considering me a Greek.

political correctness doesn't wash with me. Banishing all racist comments will not stop people thinking or being racist.

people become less racist when they actually get to know and befriend people of other races.

I hope that helps. It is my personal point of view

Answer 2

I can honestly say that I have never heard that saying before now.

Answer 3

When we get a big enough Greek "community" in this country it will be.

Answer 4

I haven't actually heard that phrase. I have heard people say "It's all Greek to me!" - which I suppose just means, as already pointed out, that Greek is a difficult subject to study. I am guilty myself of saying "That's a bit Irish", meaning something is a bit odd or weird and that it probably much more offensive to some people. What people don't realise, as I don't have any Irish accent in my voice, is that I am actually half Irish so if I meant anything truly nasty by it, I would be insulting myself.

The world went PC crazy not so long ago (chalkboards instead of blackboards, what about whiteboards?!) and although some attitudes have calmed down a bit, there is still room for improved tolerance and the use of common sense and decency.

Answer 5

I don't think so,

Answer 6

In Edinburgh they used to say "That's a bit Fifish", referring to the people of Fife.

Answer 7

Cool question, because I never really thought about it.  

I am inclined not to find this as an offensive statement, but the idea behind racism is that we shouldn't treat one group different than another.  So I guess it's racist not to consider the statment as racist.  

If we are to consider one term bad, we should consider all terms that have the sample principle of disparaging racial or ethnic group with such a term.

Answer 8

I think that the reference is usually to homosexually oriented situations, or ones that can easily be construed as such--like "Greek-style wrestling" which is when two men wrestle in the classical style( meaning nude).  Especially since all  Olympic events were originally performed nude (and by men only).  Also the  ancient Greeks seemed to have an affinity for championing male to male relationships (Greek love).

  No, I wouldn't exactly call it racist--I've never considered the term to be intended to be derogatory--but then I'm not Greek!

Answer 9

Its ethnic but not racist.

Police vans are still called 'Paddy Wagons' in some U.S. cities, and 'Paddy' is an insulting derogatory name for an Irishman.

Answer 10

i don't care cuz i'm not greek but i'm afraid of the they'll do to me when i'm not looking

Answer 11

its only racist if your overly PC

Answer 12

Instead of speaking in phrases that no one knows, why not use English, it's what they teach at school so, why not use it. You going to have to learn English in the adult world, they won't change for you, that's for sure.

Answer 13

Greek is not a race, it's a culture.  So, it could be culturist.  As well, how would anyone but you would know you were referring to ancient greeks. OY.

Answer 14

People say mind your french all the time i think its just a saying they prob have simular sayings about us anyway. We need to stop trying to make everything so perfect and politicaly correct!

Answer 15

Usually only  a person  of Greek origin will get annoyed if at all!!

Normally so  called rational  folk know that it means " we cannot understand your language-  ------ nothing really racist_-ok ?good bye!!

Answer 16

I think that's stereotyping, but not racist. I think something should only be labeled racist when it's prohibitive and harmful. Stereotype jokes like "asian drivers can't drive" doesn't really stop asians from driving, but it's still annoying as h**l.

Answer 17

I didn't realize ppl said that to mean something was lewd. I always hear it in the context of "it's Greek to me" meaning they didn't understand what someone was trying to tell them. Like if you were trying to explain a complex problem. I though it meant because Greek was a forgien language that was hard to learn....

Answer 18

The saying, That's a bit Greek or It's all Greek to me has nothing to do with lewd but is an expression for when something is said to one that is not understood. Probably because the Greek language is quite a difficult one to learn.

Answer 19

yes its racist, you are not saying "that's a bit ancient greek".  your explanation is weak, at best.

Answer 20

If anyone takes offence at that then don't worry about it. If they think it is racist then they are simply belittling something very serious. It would be along the lines of people being upset at black board, black sheep etc.

By getting hung up on that sort of thing then they detract from the serious issues of racism.

Answer 21

Greeks dont beleive in discrimination. We love everyone among the equals.