Why didn't I speak up?

[Bathsheba]

Just back from a visit to a busy high st opticians. There were two ladies seated on the table next to me, probably in their late 60s, discussing the cost of specs. One of them said "if my face were black I would get them for free", and her friend agreed wholeheartedly with her.
Now here's my dilemma- I really wanted to speak up and tell them they were out of order, but as strictly speaking, I was eavesdropping, I didn't. But I so wish I had!
Any thoughts?

[burbie]

The two ladies in their 60s have lived here all their lives, worked, paid taxes, and contributed to this country.
Now they are disreguarded and get virtually nothing except a derisery pension. They have to pay full price for everything.
What they mean is that immigrants seem to be given everything for free.
They are not being racist, they are just stating facts as they is them.

[jno]

Over-60s get free eye tests; poor ones get vouchers towards paying for glasses. So they do not have to pay full price for everything. But don't let this get in the way of a good rant.

[Bathsheba]

Thanks to all for your thoughts. I think steve was closest to the mark on the reason I didn't speak up- I was, after all eavesdropping on a conversation that didn't include me.
Liking heathfield's approach! I might try that next time I'm offended by a remark addressed to me!

[B00]

Agree with figure i'm afraid.

These women were having a private conversation and they're entitled to have their own opinions whether you thought they were right or wrong.

Summet to be said for not evesdropping ;-)

[ELVIS68]

They were only saying what most people think

After all ....I`ve got nothing against blacks or asians, but I wouldn`t want one living next door to me

[muppeteer]

i wouldnt have confronted them either, but this sort of attitude gets on my nerves aswell- just because someone else gets something for free would not make me moan about having to pay. i take responsability for myself & dont expect something for nothing.
just let it go now- wishing you had said something earlier will only cause you stress now

[butterflies]

Personally, I'd much rather pay for my specs and know they're mine than having hand-me-outs from the government.

[tw@t]

see what you have done Battysheba?


in future keep yer fo0kin nose out!

[THECORBYLOON]

It's odd that we have no idea who these two racists were yet burbie knows their employment history and their current financial position.

Could it be that the three of them made a sweeping statement?

[Chaos Faery]

Well... this brought all the charmers out of the woodwork, didn't it?! So this is what being a proud ambassador for dear old blighty looks like... Bathsheba, as you can't tell who or what you are dealing with these days, unfortunately we are more and more likely to stay quiet for fear of endangering ourselves... you can't be blamed for that, as well as the accusation that you were listening in (albeit, unavoidably). Fact is, I know British people (generations old) who know every trick in the book, have every excuse under the sun available and continue to fleece the system, while others, who may be , or appear to be from another part of 'our' Empire, who are honest, hard working respectable and respected, yet are automatically judged wrongly and negatively by souless or uneducated bigots who ARE actually out for themselves. Don't feel bad about not speaking up then, just try to speak up when you see good, to balance things out a bit. " It only needs a good man to do nothing for Evil to thrive".