After work I used to drink wine out of a brown paper bag, Bukoski-style, on the corner with a black friend of mine. He used to use the word 'nigger' casually with me - a white guy - in conversation, especially when I was trying to shine him on about something.

"Nigger please," he'd say good naturedly, "don't shit me like that."

I'm guessing he meant it in a friendly way, but I was never sure. At least he smiled when he said it. Though I never returned the ummm... term of endearment.