An earlier post got me thinking
Why is it, when someone says "I'm not racist, but..." the words that come out of their mouth, regardless of what they are, actually sound racist? Even the most innocent of phrases is automatically a bit questionable when preceeded by that immortal phrase?

"I'm not racist, but Vanish actually managed to remove the stains from that shirt quite nicely."
"I'm not racist, but I've decided to buy a new coat."
"I'm not racist, but I would like a return ticket to Birmingham please."

It instantly makes people search for a racist reason behind what's being said. I might throw in a few later whilst going about my normal business, just to gauge the reaction.
( Muns, Fri 22 Feb 2013, 12:54, 10 replies)

Hahahahahahahahaha
I'm going to start doing this.

"I'm not a racist, but I've just emailed those files."

"I'm not a racist, but this pint is delicious!"
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Fri 22 Feb 2013, 12:58, closed)

"I'm not a racist, but do you want another one?"

(Professor Kenny Martin Hmm? What?, Fri 22 Feb 2013, 13:06, closed)

It's been done
There's a video on YouTube of it and it was in a B3ta newsletter a few years ago of someone going up to people and saying stuff like
"I'm not being racist but, can you tell me where the nearest post office is?"
and seeing their reaction. Damned if I can find it now though.
( sandettie light vessel automatic New Twitter - @bollocksreally, Fri 22 Feb 2013, 13:09, closed)

Et voila
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrgygfwnCJ0
(grandmasterfluffles Come to my Armageddon party on, Fri 22 Feb 2013, 22:52, closed)

The actual answer is
that nobody ever says 'I'm not racist, but . . '.

It is a constructed myth, that enables to the commentator to build irony around the obviously conflicting statement he adds after it.
(username failed moderation, Fri 22 Feb 2013, 13:06, closed)

You could take this as far as you like, really.
For added social unease, turn the whole thing on its head: "I don't have a problem admitting that I'm racist, so do you know what time it is, please?"
( .Yeti. El amor en los tiempos del cólera, Fri 22 Feb 2013, 13:19, closed)

Why not even go with the other classic?
'Now don't get me wrong, I mean, some of my best friends are black, but can I have half-a-pound of strawberry bon-bons please?'
( Muns, Fri 22 Feb 2013, 13:31, closed)

Some of my best black friends are gay.

( .Yeti. El amor en los tiempos del cólera, Fri 22 Feb 2013, 13:32, closed)

I think the word is "batty"

(ubergeekian, Sat 23 Feb 2013, 11:09, closed)

Everytime I have heard a sentence start with it, it's been racist....
The last time was my (fucking stupid) sister-in-law, who determinedly carried on after "I'm not racist, but..." even after everyone begged her not to.
...and it was hideously racist. The stupid, dull bitch.
( Tab Hunter Make this useless process end and so, begin again, Mon 25 Feb 2013, 13:56, closed)