JTaylor

Cheers Andy

JTaylor

Just to go off topic breifly if I may?

My confusion sits with what I perceive to be the differences between the use of words.

"You F uckin Paki" is clearly agressive and hate filled.

"I hate *******" is evidently offensive.

"I'm off to get some munchies from the chinky" could be borderline for me. Why? Because throughout my entire life I've never heard Chinky used in a hateful or antagonistic tone, it's always had a positive association. And thats the crunch........ I guess if I'd heard the word used in a negative context then my perception of the word may have been very different.

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

It may not be how you meant it, but being Chinese I have heard it several times in a very hateful, aggressive or confrontation manner. Probably more exposure having worked in my fathers restaurant dealing with drunk customers. Probably made worse living in a small town with a large white community (as expected) but with very few minorities.

I try not to preach or "bang on about it" as some people would, but really try to explain why I am offended with the word (despite context) More difficult to explain to someone who is white and only lived in the UK.

Imagine if you are judged on your appearence before you utter word, when you do speak people image you to have an accent (although I speak English like a 'native'), people patronising you assuming that you don't understand, having to prove myself not only good enough for the job but better, even though I was born, raised, educated, worked and paid taxes since I was 15 in the UK. I don't want special treatment, I only ask that I'm not reffered to in a derogatory manner and given the same chances as anyone else be they white, black, Asian, etc.

So not the context it is used in, rather the association with the word.

Would you refer to a local shop as a "Paki Shop" which was more widespread say in the 70's? I know that you are not using it in a hateful way, but the intent with the word is still there.

I've never thought of myself as a liberal PC type chap, but there are lines I don't cross in polite conversation (rightly or wrongly)!

Good luck with your car, hope you get it sorted!

Jap2Scrap

This Sigma alarm problem could be a real ***** in the Subaru's security.

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Boom Boom!

Jap2Scrap

JTaylor

zakk

I agree 100% with AndyTang, more than anything JTaylor is taking liberities by assuming its ok to say that, just cos his chinese mates dont mind, thats cos theyre his mates so they wouldnt and dont represent the chinese population! I call my mates all kinds of names I wouldnt call all blokes that just cos theyre blokes!!

JTaylor, You sound like a decent bloke I dont think youre racist, if anything, its just about thinking before you speak and its not too pc to be retract words that may cause offence to others.

Coupe-Se

So the word 'Chinky' refering to a place (not a person) to buy chinese food is offensive.

Thus using the same yard-stick the word 'Yank' refering to an American should likewise be jumped on by the PC/racist brigade?????? Use the search function on the word 'Yank' (refering directly to Americans)!!!!! Where were you all when 'Yank' was used or is this different is some way????

I cannot believe that a thread about an immobiliser has been jumped on like this, the guys comments were not addressing a person or race directly, he stated that he went to a place that millions of people in this country; who are NOT racist in any way; nick-name a 'Chinky' My local Kebab house is run by Greeks and calls itself 'Zorba's' are they being racist to themselves?? What a good way of making people paranoid about posting and destroying an active forum as a result.

EDIT
Does the PC brigade boycott the 'JAP' Fest each year as they feel the term is offensive??? Have you been in contact with the organisers and complained that the term is offensive??

JTaylor

This point really enabled me to empathise with you Andy. There are a lot of ignorant people (white, black, Asian, whoever) that actually believe certain races are inferior to their own. It is not surprising therefore, that when certain words are used (irrespective of content) that people will react in a defensive way. As a white, European, hetrosexual male I have never found myself to be in a minority group (apart from supporting Plymouth Argyle) and as such don't truly understand how it feels to be on the receiving end of prejudice comments. It's only open debates like this that help educate people like me, if only people wouldn't shy away from them.

Interestingly, I wouldn't dream of saying Paki shop, because I associate the word Paki with the language used by unthinking BNP goons and know the word to be offensive. Having said that I'd have no hesitation in imitating a Pakistani accent if I were recounting a story, why should I?

I truly believe that as new generations begin to emerge into our newly formed multi-cultural society, that we'll all be much better off enjoying a bit of up front banter, providing our hearts and minds demonstrate inclusiveness, tolerance and respect. I feel this approach would be far more conducive to enabling different colours and creeds to embrace each other, then the current "watch what you say" ethos, which merely serves to breed more resentment.

dmc1980

I really cant beleive what i have just read in this post. Some of you people really need to get out more!!!

Jap2Scrap

"Paki" is an interesting word though. It's hard to determine how and when it became a racist word really. It is, after all, simply an abbreviation of Pakistan/Pakistani. It might be a lazy word to use but I can't see the racial aggression of using it. Similar could be said for the word "Nip", a seldom heard word used to refer to a Japanese guy. It is also an abbreviation, this time of the Japanese word for Japan, Nippon. Again lazy, but aggressively racist? I'm not sure. We're referred to as Brits, Scots, etc. both abbreviations yet not inherently racist. The whole thing makes little sense to me.

Singling one out because of a racial characteristic is wrong by any rational person's thinking. Abbreviating the name of their country of origin doesn't pass the tests for racism in my book.

That said, I'd rather not use either of the words above. Not because I believe they're racist but because so many others do and I respect that.

JTaylor

Richie Benaud (Cricket commentator) used to refer to the Pakistani team as the Pakis on the BBC, for exactly the reasons you describe above. He was advised to stop this however, when the word became synonymous with racial hatred. Richie (an Australian) simply couldn't fathom how it was in anyway different to his countrymen being referred to as Aussies.

Having said that, there are people who change their names because their original name is associated with difficult memories (their aren't many Austrian / German kids who are named Adolf now, although it was a very popular name in the late 19th and early 20th century). I guess it's down to the listeners / viewers perception of a word, and the connotations of it's use.

What's important is to educate the person using the word/s. A simple "I know you don't mean anything by it mate, it's my issue, but would you mind not using that word" will do. "Sorry buddy, no offence" will often be the reply. Alternatively, we can work through this hyper sensitive age and and try not to get too caught up in the whole "that word's wrong" business, who knows? The people you need to watch are those who conciously avoid drawing attention to their heartfelt dissaproval of other races. Very rarely will you find them blatently outing their racist tendancies by saying anything which is deemed un-PC, but read carefully between the lines and it's there for some to see.

I could push this even further by saying that a person who is living in a free society, no matter how stomach churning you may find it, is entirely free to feel what they want about other races...............but I won't.

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

As I said previously, it is not the context with which you use the word, but the association.

I go back to my previous example, do you call you local cornershop a "paki shop"? Do you refer to people as "pakis"?

Can you see a difference?

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

James,

Thank you for being open minded enough to read my ramblings.

I know there are people who haven't read it, but will tar me with the "PC" brush.

Cheers
Andy

Luan Pra bang

which of these are offensive kyke, gook, spic, honkie, coon ,******, gollywog, black, *****, nip, cheese eater, polak, farang, paki, bud, turbo b, frog , krout, ruskie, aussi pom ,yank limey,

JTaylor

ermmm..........

turbo b definately is - I think he sang "I've got the power" with Snap, which no doubt was a neo-facist black power rap.

Aussie Pom and Yank Limey both refer to mixed nationality people of European descent and are so troubling that they really ought to be removed from the thread forthwith.

The rest I'm not sure about, although Cheese Eater is rather good.

How did I do?

Sigma Sam

I'd rather not get entangled in the PC debate that this post has led to, but hope that the info below adresses the original post. The comments about Electronic Counter Measures is interesting and always a possibility, but as far as we are aware it is a much more straight forward problem....

Radio Lock Out:
- All alarm systems manufactured for use in the UK in ’99 were required to operate on the frequency of 433MHz. Subsequently, in late 2000, the government allowed the introduction of the “Tetra” radio network for telecommunications companies, the military, police, fire and ambulance services etc, which was allocated the 420-430MHz bandwidths.
Although not exactly the same frequency, these “Tetra” transmitters are licensed and so are allowed to operate at around 20,000 watts, compared with the alarm systems 0.5 watt radio key (necessary so that your radio keys remain exempt from annual licensing fees!)
As a result, when you are near a transmitting “Tetra” mast you can get a degree of “bleed over” as their signal is so much stronger and this can swamp the transmission from the radio key. This problem is not exclusive to this system and can occur on any number of manufacturers systems produced prior to 2001 (whether Japanese or European electronics!).
The receiver boards were redesigned to focus more accurately on the 433.92HHz frequency as soon as this problem became evident, however, systems manufactured before 2001, with the older receiver boards, are not faulty and were not considered eligible for warranty, although as a goodwill measure, customers who suffered from “exceptional” radio lock-out (ie lived or worked below a mast) were offered an upgraded receiver board if the vehicle was still within the warranty period.
This goodwill period was extended for a further 12 months after the 3 year warranty period expired, but ended in December 2004. The later ECUs are still available from Subaru (part number SACC 3465) but these are now chargeable.

Avoidance:
There are a few points that should be remembered:
- All vehicles that passed through the import centre from January 2001 are equipped with the latest receiver boards that are "Tetra Resistant" and so should not experience this problem.
- A keypad is fitted to ALL models with the UK standard fit alarm system (from 99 MY) as an emergency override, in the event of loss, damage, flat radio key battery etc. (The keypad also allows the driver to access a number of features and is a complete programming tool for the dealers) and so pushing/recovery of vehicle’s should not be necessary provided you know your override PIN and ow to operate the keypad.
- The keypad can NOT be affected by "Radio Lock-Out", as it is hard wired into the system and does not rely on a radio transmission.
- The keypad allows only THREE PIN attempts and then will "Lock Up" if an incorrect number is entered a third time. This is a secuity feature to prevent random attempts at steeling the vehicle, however, it is also an inconvenience if you are suffering "Radio Lock Out" and enter your PIN incorrectly.
- The PIN number should not be entered too quickly or too slowly - when a digit has been pressed the small LED built into the keypad will illuminate briefly as confirmation and only then should the next digit be entered.
If an incorrect digit is pressed or the delay between entering digits exceeds10 seconds, then the LED above the keypad will flash rapidly and the PIN attempt should be aborted and started again after 30 seconds.
Due to the small size of the keypad some users may find a rubber tipped pencil easier to use. DO NOT use the sharp tip of a ball point pen etc, or press excessively hard on the keypad as this will only damage the membrane and cause a digit to remain pressed, causing a continual incorrect PIN.

My advice is to read the alarm system's instruction manual and practice entering the PIN before you need it. If you do not know your PIN, or bought the car second hand (in which case the PIN may have been changed by the previous owner) you can change the PIN to one of your own choosing, using the keypad, provided that you have a working Radio Key.

Changing your PIN:
- Arm and then Disarm the system using a working Radio Key.
- Within 30 seconds of disarming, type into the keypad- *17856*92*wxyz*wxyz# (where wxyz is your new PIN code)
- Arm the system with the Radio Key
- You should now be able to disarm the system using the new PIN code


Further information can be found in the systems Operating Instructions. If you do not have a copy of the Operating Instructions a link to a copy can be found in the post at:
http://www.subaru-impreza.org/subarutalk/viewtopic.php?t=2476


Ensure your keypad is operational before you need it on a dark night!
I hope this has cleared up a number of points that have been raised and will help to keep everyone mobile.
SS

trails

iTrader: (41)

apologies if this has been mentioned but I can't be bothered to read all the bull$hit that has been posted…back on topic then; there was a manufacture fault with some alarm ecu’s on MY00 cars. They will not operate in certain circumstances (parked near external building alarms or lampposts!!), my immobiliser also cut in a few times whilst driving...coasting across three lanes on the M25 in rush hour with no power is scary

Its about £150 to change the module but seems most were done under warranty...hope this helps.

RAIDEN

You forgot Brit

Sigma Sam

I realise you couldn't be bothered, but please read my post above regarding "Radio Lockout" before making mis-informed comments....this problem is NOT the result of a manufacture fault and IS NOT a warranty issue - the fault is not with the product, but external radio signals introduced to the UK in 2001-subsequently to the design and manufacture of the product fitted to vehicles.

Your imobiliser issue is completely unrelated to "Radio Lockout" and as the immobilisation relays are configured to fail-safe when the vehicle's ignition is on, I think that the alarm/immobiliser unit itself is very unlikely to have caused this. In addition, on vehicles from 2002 model year the Sigma unit only cuts the starter motor circuit, the Subaru transponder immobiliser controls the other two immobilisation circuits. A fault in any number of the vehicle's systems or a break in wiring could cause the problem you experienced.

SS

trails

iTrader: (41)

Well done, you managed to put my back up before you completed the first sentence (possible one of the longest I've ever read btw...). I was merely relating my own experiences and the quoting the dealer's description of the cause and its subsequent resolution.

I suggest you polish your customer service skills before posting on such a widely read forum again or possible give the job to someone more competent.

Ian

girl-in-a-scoob

You get the same problem at the american base on the yorkshire moors if you park near it, interferes with the immobiliser.

Havnt had any probs with my04 wrx though

Sigma Sam

Sorry if you took offence Ian, but it was you own admission.
I make no apology for correcting the comments given in your post, which implied a manufacturing fault, when my previous post had explained this to be otherwise in some detail.
As you point out, our posts are here for all to see.
Despite my poor grammar, I hope that most members reading my posts find them useful and informative.
SS

trails

iTrader: (41)

misinterpreted admission; i just didn't want to get involved with the 'other' debate this thread had degenerated into. Absolutely no problem with you correcting my comments, it was the vigour with which you went about it. Any road no worries about the grammar, just persevere at it and i'm sure you will improve...

I’m assuming that the dealers lied to me then?

Scratch

iTrader: (1)

Radio Interference (from certain frequencies) is a well known problem with the Sigma alarms fitted as standard to the scooby.

Sheffield is the same, near the police station, no chance. I do find though that hovering the fob under the trailing edge of the bonnet while pressing the button seems to have worked for me so far, I guess the bonnet offers some screening from the ambient interference ?

Also, it's impossible to get the thing to unlock when parked near the overhead power lines for the tram as well... it locks perfectly without problem though