It all depends on the tone of voice that the words are said.

I have worked all over the world and never had a problem ( except during the FIS time in Algeria) working with locals and racial epithets were just part of the normal daily banter AMONGST FRIENDS !!

I have been called Whitey , Maggot ( translation from an African dialect) Gringo Honkey etc and have freely called my co workers coons , niggers, jungle bunnies etc etc and in the right situation it makes things go with a laugh and the job got done.
Had a foreman who introduced himself as Nick the Spik one time !!

Just my thoughts on it !