The Official Complaint Thread!

[LittleHockeyFan]

two of my son's best friends (one male, one female) are both ginger/red heads. They have absolutely no problem with being called either redheads or gingers. (I just asked the guy) I suppose it's a personal perception really. He says he was never bullied because of his hair colour as a young kid, more because he was kinda chubby as a youngster. Carrot Top is the one name they didn't like being called, but neither one of them has the carroty-red hair that one associates with that name, they're more auburn.

 

[maplesyrup]

two of my son's best friends (one male, one female) are both ginger/red heads. They have absolutely no problem with being called either redheads or gingers. (I just asked the guy) I suppose it's a personal perception really. He says he was never bullied because of his hair colour as a young kid, more because he was kinda chubby as a youngster. Carrot Top is the one name they didn't like being called, but neither one of them has the carroty-red hair that one associates with that name, they're more auburn.

But look at the tweet I took exception to;

Men's Humor ‏@MensHumor
If Monday was a person, it'd be a Ginger.

Go ahead and ask those kids how they'd feel if they were associated with the least favorite day of the week.

What if it read;

"If Monday was a religion, it would be a Jew?"

Not so nice, is it? 

 

[Kin]

What if it read;

"If Monday was a religion, it would be a Jew?"

Not so nice, is it?

Grammatically? No, it's atrocious. A Jew is a person, not a religion.

 

[bustaheims]

But look at the tweet I took exception to;

Men's Humor ‏@MensHumor
If Monday was a person, it'd be a Ginger.

Go ahead and ask those kids how they'd feel if they were associated with the least favorite day of the week.

Well, sure, in that context, it's offensive. But, at the same time, you could replace ginger there with practically anything and it would be offensive. Also, it would still not be funny.

 

[Bullfrog]

Honestly, if someone called me a bagel, I'd be more offended by their stupidity than by their attempt to insult me.

Well, when people use "ginger" I'm insulted by the word AND their stupidity.

I normally enjoy debating with you Sarge, but this wading into ridiculous territory now. Can't you a least acknowledge that your point of view is on the extreme and seemingly not representative of the majority of people, including redheads most likely (just based on anecdotal knowledge; i.e. asking every redhead I saw today this very question, which admittedly was only two.) And because your point of view is on the extreme end that perhaps it's you being ignorant by calling every one who uses the word ginger stupid?

I respect your right to have a unique opinion, but calling us stupid is rude as all hell.

 

[maplesyrup]

Bullfrog, with all due respect, I can't (or won't) lie to myself about my feelings about it. If they seem absurd to you, well I'm sorry. With that said, no hard feeling to those  here (which appear to be most) who don't get that.

 

[Kin]

Well, sure, in that context, it's offensive. But, at the same time, you could replace ginger there with practically anything and it would be offensive.

And ultimately, that's where it should end. All anyone gets to decide is what offends them, not what other people think is offensive. You can't force a cultural standard on someone, nor should you want to. Some people get offended by all sorts of pointless nonsense and it's not incumbent on others to fall in line unless they genuinely agree.

I'd say this thread establishes pretty well that ginger is anything but an agreed upon insult, let alone an egregiously bad one.

 

[Sucker Punch]

I don't like being teased about my weight.  I guess that's kind of like slavery.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Honestly, if someone called me a bagel, I'd be more offended by their stupidity than by their attempt to insult me.

Well, when people use "ginger" I'm insulted by the word AND their stupidity.

I normally enjoy debating with you Sarge, but this wading into ridiculous territory now. Can't you a least acknowledge that your point of view is on the extreme and seemingly not representative of the majority of people, including redheads most likely (just based on anecdotal knowledge; i.e. asking every redhead I saw today this very question, which admittedly was only two.) And because your point of view is on the extreme end that perhaps it's you being ignorant by calling every one who uses the word ginger stupid?

I respect your right to have a unique opinion, but calling us stupid is rude as all hell.

I see the time change allowed me to conveniently comment and miss this whole thing, but I agree with this (considering my response was called stupid as well).  I took issue with somehow comparing calling someone a ginger with the N-word, which has all sorts of contemporary and historical baggage attached to it.

As someone (Nik perhaps?) said earlier, the fact that you won't even type the N-word tells me you should not be suggesting the two are comparable.

 

[maplesyrup]

Again, I've conceded a couple of times that the comparison wasn't a good one. That, I regret. I guess my problem with the word is that as perhaps shown on this board is that folks seem to think it's somehow more descriptive than derogatory. To say one is a "ginger" is nothing at all like calling someone a "brunette." I wish people would see that it's a slur and they stop using it, that's all.

 

[Rick C.]

We bought a 2007 Mazda5 about 4 months ago.  The last two weeks we've really noticed it's going through oil.

Today is the second time in 2 weeks that it's in the Mazda dealership.  It's starting to look like engine replacement.  It's not a leak, it's not going into the coolant, it the compression is fine.  They're running more tests this afternoon.  UGHHH!

 

[AlmosGirl]

That sucks Rick.  Did you buy an extended warranty when you got it? 

 

[Rick C.]

That sucks Rick.  Did you buy an extended warranty when you got it?

Nope.

 

[Andy007]

We bought a 2007 Mazda5 about 4 months ago.  The last two weeks we've really noticed it's going through oil.

Today is the second time in 2 weeks that it's in the Mazda dealership.  It's starting to look like engine replacement.  It's not a leak, it's not going into the coolant, it the compression is fine.  They're running more tests this afternoon.  UGHHH!

I've had some frustrating ongoing problems with a Mazda (Tribute) I bought a few years back myself, starting the same year I got it (2009).
Things like Dome light issues, windshield wiper malfunctions, engine not turning on, brake pedal gyrations; pretty much a cornucopia of neverending problems.
In short; Mazda is awful.

 

[leafsjunkie]

We bought a 2007 Mazda5 about 4 months ago.  The last two weeks we've really noticed it's going through oil.

Today is the second time in 2 weeks that it's in the Mazda dealership.  It's starting to look like engine replacement.  It's not a leak, it's not going into the coolant, it the compression is fine.  They're running more tests this afternoon.  UGHHH!

I've had some frustrating ongoing problems with a Mazda (Tribute) I bought a few years back myself, starting the same year I got it (2009).
Things like Dome light issues, windshield wiper malfunctions, engine not turning on, brake pedal gyrations; pretty much a cornucopia of neverending problems.
In short; Mazda is awful.

I have a 2007 MazdaSpeed3, I've never had an issue, Mazdas aren't awful. 

From the sounds of it, you guys both bought used vehicles, who knows what the owner before you did to those vehicles, if they were maintaned well etc... Any used car can have problems, especially once the warranty is up.  That's the chance you take with buying used, one reason I only buy new vehicles.

 

[Bullfrog]

Though the Mazda Tribute is essentially just a rebadged (or perhaps co-badged is more appropriate) Ford Escape, it's generally got a good track record. The 2009 model year had lots of problems though and the earlier versions had some electrical issues.

Mazda's in general are above-average for reliability. I'd have no problems buying a Mazda.

 

[TML fan]

My parents just bought a 2010 Tribute. Never driven. It has less than 7000km on it, and they are already having problems. I drove it a few times and I felt it was very sluggish on acceleration, but I'm not sure if that's just a characteristic of the car or not. It also felt like there were transmission problems. Nice looking car, but I wouldn't buy one myself.

 

[Manson]

My parents just bought a 2010 Tribute. Never driven. It has less than 7000km on it, and they are already having problems. I drove it a few times and I felt it was very sluggish on acceleration, but I'm not sure if that's just a characteristic of the car or not. It also felt like there were transmission problems. Nice looking car, but I wouldn't buy one myself.

Ya, I test drove a Tribute about 7 months ago too and decided against it.  The ride was actually decent but I felt there was something cheap about it.  It gets some average - poor reviews from what I saw.  Got a bad vibe from the dealership as well.  I ultimately decided on a 2007 Limited Rav 4 and haven't had a single issue.  I also have a 2001 Celica that's literally never had a major problem, 250+K on it...Toyota >>> Mazda from my experience.

 

[leafsjunkie]

My parents just bought a 2010 Tribute. Never driven. It has less than 7000km on it, and they are already having problems. I drove it a few times and I felt it was very sluggish on acceleration, but I'm not sure if that's just a characteristic of the car or not. It also felt like there were transmission problems. Nice looking car, but I wouldn't buy one myself.

Ya, I test drove a Tribute about 7 months ago too and decided against it.  The ride was actually decent but I felt there was something cheap about it.  It gets some average - poor reviews from what I saw.  Got a bad vibe from the dealership as well.  I ultimately decided on a 2007 Limited Rav 4 and haven't had a single issue.  I also have a 2001 Celica that's literally never had a major problem, 250+K on it...Toyota >>> Mazda from my experience.

Toyota may make reliable vehicles, however, they are the most boring, pedestrian vehicles made. My lawnmower is faster than any Toyota.... My MS3 is currently rocking 275 HP and 300 foot pounds of torque... Mazda FTW. I don't think there is a stock car out there for under $45k - $50k that can beat my vehicle (or any other MS3) on the track.

 

[Manson]

Toyota may make reliable vehicles, however, they are the most boring, pedestrian vehicles made. My lawnmower is faster than any Toyota.... My MS3 is currently rocking 275 HP and 300 foot pounds of torque... Mazda FTW. I don't think there is a stock car out there for under $45k - $50k that can beat my vehicle (or any other MS3) on the track.

All depends what you're looking for I suppose.  The 1/4 mile speed of my Rav 4 really didn't come into the equation for me.