# Odd name for a kids theme park **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 13, 2010, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-name-for-a-kids-theme-park/550155 "2010-08-13T14:46:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![AndrewF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e5b9ba/32.png) [@AndrewF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndrewF)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-name-for-a-kids-theme-park/550155/21 "2010-08-17T07:56:36Z")
Hi Guys Just to clear up a few things - “Jungle Bunny” does not have a racist meaning in South Africa. The only use for it - is my sons nick name and the nick name of a specialized unit in the South African Police and of courses the cute little bunny rabbit that it is. Someone mentioned its a strange name but look at our competition - “Crazy Chameleon”, “Monkey Magic” These are names of “kids theme party companies” like mine. It has come to our attention earlier this year that “Jungle Bunny” is used as a racist term in the US so I am aware of this. Fortunately this is not the case in South Africa, our client base is approximately 90% black and we love working with the black community. In addition we are one of the very few in not the only party planning company (in Johannesburg) that goes into black townships to setup parties. We are also involved in charity work assisting the black communities. Guys don’t try and make me out to be a racist, thats the last thing I am. All we are is a small family run business. As far as changing the name, we have looked into it. It is a rather costly process, when we have the funds available we will consider it again. BigT I dont know who you are but you may want to focus on something more positive. I am no asshole, actually I am quite the opposite. You don’t know me yet you want to make remarks like that. I must be honest you don’t really sound like a very pleasant person. As far as your “small minded” remark – that was mentioned simply because that is what it was. Why must everything be about racism??? Just accept it for what it is – The cute fluffy bunny rabbit that you see on the website. Why don’t you give me a call and we can discuss it further if you would like? Andrew Francis Owner – Jungle Bunny Theme Parties, South Africa www.junglebunny.biz +27(0) 82 302 8500 ---
**Author:** ![Disheavel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@Disheavel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disheavel)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2010, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-name-for-a-kids-theme-park/550155/22 "2010-08-17T18:34:46Z")
Thanks Andrew for the clarification and well written response to a few posters. Feel free to stick around as we always enjoy having new members especially from interesting places. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-name-for-a-kids-theme-park/550155/23 "2010-08-18T04:01:56Z")
Yes, thanks for your explanation, and I retract my smartass remark about Apartheid. Still, it’s a rather unfortunate name. I was here in Thailand back during the whole Darkie Toothpaste debacle, which, despite Thais not having a clue as to the connotations of the word “darkie,” raised an international uproar. But that was due more to the international nature of the company. It was subsequently changed to Darlie Toothpaste and a less race-specific man used on the box and tube; you can read all about that [here](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darlie). (That link mentions 1985 for the name change, but it was more like 1989 or 1990 for Thailand.) And over here, we do still have, I kid you not, [Black Man](http://www.flickr.com/photos/mooshimooshisan/2430721363/)-brand mops. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-name-for-a-kids-theme-park/550155/24 "2010-08-18T06:23:43Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > It’s in a different country. Maybe the phrase doesn’t carry a negative stereotype. But, seriously? Jungle Bunny? I hope they don’t feature a spear chucker contest. :dubious: > > [http://www.junglebunny.biz/](http://www.junglebunny.biz/) > > I have wondered where the term jungle bunny came from. Jungle is obvious. But why associate a black person with a rabbit? 😕 After Bonn-Bonn Land opened the Dog Fart Rollercoaster, are we surprised at anything a park does? (ACE, DAFE and CZ member) > [@postcards](#): > > Just to point out, it’s a company that specializes in theme **parties**. > > [List of themes](http://www.junglebunny.biz/jungle_bunny/themes.html). > > It’s not a theme **park** like the post title says. Just an unfortunate name for a South African business. > > (Who seem to do a lot of Disney stuff.) It wouldn’t have surprised me any if it had been a park. Hit enough of them and you see some pretty strange things. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-name-for-a-kids-theme-park/550155/25 "2010-08-18T08:21:52Z")
> [@AndrewF](#): > > BigT I dont know who you are but you may want to focus on something more positive. I am no asshole, actually I am quite the opposite. You don’t know me yet you want to make remarks like that. I must be honest you don’t really sound like a very pleasant person. As far as your “small minded” remark – that was mentioned simply because that is what it was. Why must everything be about racism??? Just accept it for what it is – The cute fluffy bunny rabbit that you see on the website. > > Why don’t you give me a call and we can discuss it further if you would like? > > Andrew Francis > Owner – Jungle Bunny Theme Parties, South Africa > www.junglebunny.biz > +27(0) 82 302 8500 It is bad form to reply twice in a row like this but this has really been bothering me. Andrew, I would like to ask you as well to look at the positive and take the time to get to know us as well. This section of the board is called “Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share”. It is a sort of break room or lunch room for us where we can relax from the actual questions and “great debates” that fill a lot of our time. You have a small business but I assume its more than just you. Imagine that one of the people who works for you web-surfed across one of the Kaffir businesses mentioned earlier in this thread. Would you be surprised if certain assumptions were made about the owner of that business? If they contacted the business in a generally polite manner, would you expect them to be called something like “small minded” for expressing their concern? When you put your business or organization on the internet, things change. Local rules, so to speak, don’t apply all the time. But again, you aren’t the only one still learning that. My boss has chosen to do things like add decorations to our website for various holidays such as Christmas and (American) Independence Day. Usually it becomes my job to respond to those around the world who take offense at that and I try to surpass them in politeness. I may not always succeed but I do make the effort. **BigT** did not call you an asshole. His statement was that “Assuming panache was cordial in the email, an insulting response means he already knew the name was bad, or is just an asshole.” Since you inform us that you did already know the name was bad, you aren’t an asshole as defined here. And since you are taking steps to correct/change the name when possible speaks well for you as a member of this new global society we find ourselves in. I am going to be so bold now as to offer a suggestion. As you do not have a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) button or a section of “about us” on your web site, consider adding a small paragraph to your “contact” page about where your name comes from and what it means to you. Pardon me yet again for a little editing but give me a moment - ““Jungle Bunny” does not have a racist meaning in South Africa. The only use for it is my sons nick name and the nick name of a specialized unit in the South African Police and of course the cute little bunny rabbit that it is. Someone mentioned its a strange name but look at our competition - strange names are the norm for “kids theme party companies” like mine. It has come to our attention earlier this year that “Jungle Bunny” is used as a racist term in the US so I am aware of this. As far as changing the name, we have looked into it. It is a rather costly process, when we have the funds available we will consider it again.” That could solve many questions and cut down on the number of e-mails you have to respond to. Or message boards you need to track down. Just my two cents and expensive at that, but there it is. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-name-for-a-kids-theme-park/550155/26 "2010-08-18T08:26:18Z")
> [@GHO57](#): > > > [@Driver8](#): > > > > Yeah, I have to wonder what you and Siam Sam are on about. Maybe I am especially sheltered (I doubt it given some of the terms I have actually heard), but as a South African who spent 24 years there I can’t recall hearing this term once in a derogatory context. If I had heard it out of context I wouldn’t know what they are on about - in this context it seems a weird but likely innocent name for a company. Given your knee jerk reaction and assumption that everyone in the world shares your exact slang I’m not sure their response is entirely off base. Siam Sam’s knee jerk accusation is particularly galling. > > Funny thing… A few of the posters are Americans, I’m a non-English speaking European… and I believe **Sam** is Asian (right?). And we all know the term, I would say your guess of being exceptionally sheltered is correct… you know… culturally sheltered. But don’t worry, [other]([F200M 💰 Zona Bermain Games Online Penghasil Uang di Dunia Nyata, Dengan Reward Log-In Harian Terbesar](http://www.pubutopia.com/pubs/L/Leicester/Whetstone/The) Kaffir Inn/) [people](http://www.manta.com/c/mmfbxyf/kaffer-enterprises-l-l-c)do it too; pick whichever spelling you like and complain away 😃 Okay Jungle Bunny I’d heard, but Kaffer? That one I don’t get. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-name-for-a-kids-theme-park/550155/27 "2010-08-18T09:32:33Z")
> [@CanvasShoes](#): > > Okay Jungle Bunny I’d heard, but Kaffer? That one I don’t get. Kaffir is an offensive South African term for black people. I find it amusing that, in talking about a term that’s not considered racist in South Africa, kopek used a term that very much is (and it also makes absolutely no sense in context). Kopek’s got a good suggestion about adding that explanation to the website, though (to AndrewF). It’s the kind of thing that could become linked even further and get you lots of hatemail and spam. Kopek, do people really complain about website decorations for Christmas and other celebrations? Really? I mean, even Google has them. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-name-for-a-kids-theme-park/550155/28 "2010-08-18T16:17:24Z")
> [@scifisam2009](#): > > Kaffir is an offensive South African term for black people. I find it amusing that, in talking about a term that’s not considered racist in South Africa, kopek used a term that very much is (and it also makes absolutely no sense in context). > > Kopek’s got a good suggestion about adding that explanation to the website, though (to AndrewF). It’s the kind of thing that could become linked even further and get you lots of hatemail and spam. > > Kopek, do people really complain about website decorations for Christmas and other celebrations? Really? I mean, even Google has them. “(and it also makes absolutely no sense in context).” It makes a little more sense if you followed the thread. My point was that as some of us could jump to conclusions about a business named “Jungle Bunny”, the people who work for him could jump to the same conclusions about the examples another poster provided > **[F200M 💰 Zona Bermain Games Online Penghasil Uang di Dunia Nyata, Dengan...](https://activolcans.info/)** > > F200M adalah zona bermain game online penghasil uang terbaru dengan reward login harian terbesar, yang memungkinkan eksplorasi tanpa batas serta peluang emas untuk meraih maxwin jackpot sensational melalui genre permainan terpopuler. [http://www.manta.com/c/mmfbxyf/kaffer-enterprises-l-l-c](http://www.manta.com/c/mmfbxyf/kaffer-enterprises-l-l-c) That the owner is somehow racially insensitive. Kaffir (or is it kaffer?) is probably the worst word of Afrikaaner I know (it was a 100% fistfight starter among the couple South Africans I met in college) so I figured it was appropriate to this instance as an example. And as for the rest; some is hate mail (IE - you stupid fucks think the entire world is Christian and you should choke and die) but most is more like what I believe Mr Francis got here as a result of our discussion. In other words, “do you realize how this makes you look to citizens of our country and how it shapes our opinion of you?” Things like the 4th of July and the patriotic (to a US citizen) historic quotes we run sometimes generate more e-mails than Christmas and more than enough to keep our attention. And our international orders have dropped greatly from 10 years ago when we didn’t do things like that. Because of that? I don’t have a study to prove it but I do have my suspicions. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2010, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-name-for-a-kids-theme-park/550155/29 "2010-08-18T16:43:47Z")
This reminds me of the ridiculous and utterly absurd accusations of racism re. an Australian commercial showing Jamaican people eating fried chicken. Fair play to you, **AndrewF** , and good on you for the charity and township work. Ignore the ethnocentric people here who can’t think out of context. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2010, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-name-for-a-kids-theme-park/550155/30 "2010-08-19T17:03:39Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > > [@scifisam2009](#): > > > > Kaffir is an offensive South African term for black people. I find it amusing that, in talking about a term that’s not considered racist in South Africa, kopek used a term that very much is (and it also makes absolutely no sense in context). > > > > Kopek’s got a good suggestion about adding that explanation to the website, though (to AndrewF). It’s the kind of thing that could become linked even further and get you lots of hatemail and spam. > > > > Kopek, do people really complain about website decorations for Christmas and other celebrations? Really? I mean, even Google has them. > > “(and it also makes absolutely no sense in context).” > It makes a little more sense if you followed the thread. My point was that as some of us could jump to conclusions about a business named “Jungle Bunny”, the people who work for him could jump to the same conclusions about the examples another poster provided > [F200M 💰 Zona Bermain Games Online Penghasil Uang di Dunia Nyata, Dengan Reward Log-In Harian Terbesar](http://www.pubutopia.com/pubs/L/Leicester/Whetstone/The%20Kaffir%20Inn/) > [http://www.manta.com/c/mmfbxyf/kaffer-enterprises-l-l-c](http://www.manta.com/c/mmfbxyf/kaffer-enterprises-l-l-c) > That the owner is somehow racially insensitive. Kaffir (or is it kaffer?) is probably the worst word of Afrikaaner I know (it was a 100% fistfight starter among the couple South Africans I met in college) so I figured it was appropriate to this instance as an example. Ah, right. I don’t tend to click on links that aren’t clearly labelled, so I had no idea the word kaffir had been linked to despite not actually being said. > [@](#): > > And as for the rest; some is hate mail (IE - you stupid fucks think the entire world is Christian and you should choke and die) but most is more like what I believe Mr Francis got here as a result of our discussion. In other words, “do you realize how this makes you look to citizens of our country and how it shapes our opinion of you?” Things like the 4th of July and the patriotic (to a US citizen) historic quotes we run sometimes generate more e-mails than Christmas and more than enough to keep our attention. And our international orders have dropped greatly from 10 years ago when we didn’t do things like that. Because of that? I don’t have a study to prove it but I do have my suspicions. Woah, that’s crazy. Maybe it depends what the patriotic quotes are, but man, there are some people out there just desperate to take offence. ---
**Author:** ![tesseract](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bb73d2/32.png) [@tesseract](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tesseract)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2010, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-name-for-a-kids-theme-park/550155/31 "2010-08-21T04:54:48Z")
**AndrewF,** thanks very much for the explanation. I appreciate your professionalism and your willingness to come in and explain the name of your company to some folks on a message board you don’t know. I think that speaks volumes about you and your company. What a nice business you’re in, bringing joy to little kids. Thank you for doing the charity work you do. Good on you, and I wish your company much success. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/odd-name-for-a-kids-theme-park/550155.md?page=1)