Reply #154: Nuance indeed. [View All]

I'm a member of a less-than liked minority in my country. I'm of Serbian descent, and live in Slovenia, which was one of the 1st republics to secede from Yugoslavia (brief armed conflict included). That was simply for context, so that you know recent war is included in the heated passions.

Now... There's a word one would equate to the 'n word' in my country, which was initially a derogatory label for other former Yugoslav nationalities. It later came to include meanings of general contempt, but not necessarily nationally oriented.

So, if someone was to call me that to my face, and it was felt that he's intentionally offending my heritage and family roots, yes I would be offended. Many westerners find it hard to understand that such action is sometimes a matter of life and death in these parts of the world. We're deadly serious about national pride, and there's no gray area there.

BUT, if someone used it as a general derogatory term for a random person, or even for me... If he was using it to mock my clothing, my driving, or something I said... I'd be fine with it. I've used it in that context myself before, and no harm was meant. Could I feign outrage and rave about nationalism? Could I have a fit and pound said offender?

I guess I could. But that would make me a retard, if you know what I mean.