Delboy, I am not having a shot at you, but I (as part of a group) was referred to as a "Colonial" by a lady from South London only about 15 months ago. It was all in regard to the financial arrangements of a local sporting body. I'll PM you if you wish to know the details but it's really of no importance. She came from the city (Lewisham or Chislehurst she referred to both as back home) and tried to equate our problems with solutions not available here, when informed of this she accused us of having attitudes and services typical of colonials. This was not the first occasion, she had done nothing but talk down to us as a group since she arrived, needless to say she left in a huff and never returned. I was later told she had the same attitude at the local school parents group. They were also treated as something less than "British".

Originally Posted by O3USMC

- (True Brits)- "both of you?"

LOL - nice one.
Well, yes, that would be me and my brother, my other brother, my mates, my police mates, my old army mates, my son-in-law, my daughter in laws, my 7 grandsons, age 24 downwards, and 4 grand-daughters, all of our fighting forces, our football and cricket and boxing and rugby crowds, the people of my town, and a upwards from 40-50 million compadres. They, like my brothers and family, would include Scottish, Irish and first and second generation immigrant true Brits. Unfortunately the political elite careerists are not included, and they have no respect for our values. They know the price of everything and the value of nothing. We are just their golden goose to be plucked. - Just the 2 of us. LOL.




Senojekips, I did not think you were having a go -and I also was not, I just wanted to alter a misconception if I could. There are of course exceptions to the rule, but if you take a look at Brits you might know, cricketers such as Botham etc, Ricky Hatton the boxer, just as examples, they would be much closer to the average Brit; the old enemy Shane Warne also fits in just right, a very big favourite here. As a guide, Lewisham is very much a working class area of London, largely black, and very much Londoners; you would find a lot of black soldiers from such an area. Chislehurst is a county area and much more likely to have throw-back attitudes. To be honest, most of us wouldn't be aware of the word, on the streets, and if we did understand it, it would be a term of respect just as Aussie or Gurkha are. We are sorted on such matters.

No problem with your post, just commenting. That sort of abuse would be ridiculed here, laughed out of court.I have no wish to curry favour, but it would be true to say that generally Aussies are held in high regard, and up for a good sledging - their own creation of course. That's why we love to beat them - but find it difficult. (bugger it.)

Incidently - I do recognise the type, just didn't know they still existed. You have the advantage of me - the word has never been applied to people in my presence.

They exist, believe me, they certainly exist. I don't know if Australia seems to attract them, but it is a well known and noted trait, especially in areas where English migrants are concentrated here. This in no way detracts from those who have adapted and settled in very well such as my best mate Len C****** son of a Cockney brick layer who is a bit of a local icon in the building trade.

In Australia we have a similar problem among some persons of my generation and older, who still seem to think that the "White Australia Policy" should be re-introduced. There always seems to be some inertia at letting go of the old ideas.

I am a cockney, so were my family for some generations, maybe from the Roman Garrison times, as cockneys tend to be. My nephew and family moved to Australia last year, and his daughter is already playing soccer for Queensland.

If anyone had ever referred to me as a colonial I am sure I would have taken it as a compliment. What else?

There is no doubt that am proud of who I am and where I came from, and that runs all the way back to my Geordie/Whitechapel Jewish ancestors.

I don't resent being a colonial in the least, but I do resent it when it is implied that we are somehow "Untermensch" because of it.

So would I.
And yes, they do exist.

Originally Posted by senojekips

There is no doubt that am proud of who I am and where I came from, and that runs all the way back to my Geordie/Whitechapel Jewish ancestors.

I don't resent being a colonial in the least, but I do resent it when it is implied that we are somehow "Untermensch" because of it.

I have never come across that attitude towards Australians used here, that's for sure. And that word you use is completely unknown to me. It must be that such attitudes exist elsewhere. Such language is long out-dated and in fact would never have been part of working class, and therefore majority, vocabulary. Judging by the comments of Senojekips and Redneck, these are matters which concern countries far-flung from our shores. Rather Dame Edna, perhaps.

As I have made clear, Australians are held in great respect here, but as I can't keep repeating it, you will have to accept that or not, as you wish.

I cannot understand why it should upset you though, 'colonial' was never a derogatory word in any way, so why would you accept it as a put-down. I always thought Aussies were famous for dishing it out, and therefore for not being bothered at ever finding themselves on the receiving end - and I say that as a compliment. I never saw them as sensitive souls.

Anyway - this thread is now miles off topic, back to The Gurgkhas. We luv 'em, and we want our dodgy Government to do right by them.

I feel your views are perhaps the result of the fact that "No one quite sees themselves as they are seen by others".

"Dishing it out", has absolutely nothing to do with this discussion as the persons I am referring to were in a welcoming environment, we need every member we can get.

And yes, you are correct, we are miles off topic.

It would be helpful if we could leave your Australian concentration and allow this thread to carry on regarding The Gurkhas, rather than wasting time on some imagined slight or another which has occurred in your country. Using this thread to act out some issue you have with some woman is of no consequence on this thread. The plight of these Gurkhas is an important issue, which does not deserve to be hi-jacked. Thank you kindly.

Well I still say the Gurkha is getting a raw deal. And whoever made the decision should be ashamed of themself.