You say your friend is "touchy" but I don't think standing against bigotry, wilful or otherwise, is something to condemn someone for.

I agree, but trust me he is very touchy as well. Loses his temper over all sorts of stuff so it is hard to tell if this is just another rage or something it is worthwhile raging about. Which is why I'm asking here.

What counts as privacy? Would you do it in the future? In front of a partner? Children? Extended family? What example would you set for them?

Well that is kind of my whole question, is this kind of stuff always racist and demeaning? Is there ever a time when using another accent can be just a neutral action and not a vicious one?