I Am Wondering If There Is An Offense Culture In This Society And What Is Causing It

[gordiescotland1]

Hi I seem to come across situations in the newspapers and tv where people individuals and or groups of people are offended and taking offense. I am wondering if there is a culture of offense, free speech almost seems to be a thing of the past unless you are not offending someone. It seemed different in my day !! Im only 43 but it just seems that people are too touchy and easily offended and I include myself in this. You cant seem to say anything to anyone at all nowadays. The scientist has resigned for his comments about women. A bit OTT it was quite naive of him but still to lose his post? I mean today i was at the bus stop boiling hot weather the timetable said there was a bus every 10 minutes into town 20 minutes later and no bus there was a woman with 2 children screaming their head off and I turned to her and said the person who wrote that timetable must have been dsylexic and she said thats very offensive Im dyslexic it was just tongue in cheek I just ignored her and walked into town instead of getting a bus. But people are so touchy and sensitive

[woofgang]

But words show attitudes......even (or especially) words "said as a joke"
What was your intention that the person should have understood by your use of dyslexic?
My experience of people who say offensive things, is when they are called on it, they say something like "It was a joke...I was just joking....why are people so touchy?"

[Baldric]

OTT Gordie, why was it ok to say it?

[New Judge]

People need to lighten up.

Everybody seems to be either offended themselves or take offenense on behalf of others. Yes, the scientist chap was a bit daft. But even upon reflection he still said he meant what he said. It was just his opinion (to which he's entitled), nobody died, nobody was seriously hurt.

There's much worse that can happen to you than being offended by a few misplaced words. If it happens to you, get over it, move on and don't take life too seriously.

[ummmm]

She had 2 screaming children with her and you expected her to realise it was TIC?

[jno]

make "jokes" about illnesses to people who have them and they may well not think there's anything funny about it. People respond politely to your medical posts on here - how would you feel if they all just made dumb jokes about them?

[Buenchico]

The error that society seems to make is in assuming that causing offence is wrong. It isn't; it's failing to say what you're thinking that's wrong.

[Canary42]

My point exactly jno

[naomi24]

Canary42, he didn't laugh. He walked away.

Yes, there is an offence culture and people are too touchy.

[jno]

yep, you got in while I was still typing, Canary. But that's what I had in mind.

[Mamyalynne]

The trouble with people taking offence is that if you have never met them before as in your example, you have no clue how they will react.

[hc4361]

I imagine the lady with the screaming children was just as fed up with the delayed bus as gordiescotland was. If he said that to me I would assume he was empathising with me and expressing his own frustration, not having a pop at disabled people.

[Peter Pedant]

Yes I think that naughty Nobel prize winner had to go
it is not as tho he is ruined or has to give his knighthood back

and ... I was that dyslexic .... well no quite
I was at Crewe station and there was the usual awful tannoy announcement. The one where you know it is gonna be about a train and all you can hear is white noise so I said to another passenger:

can you please tell me what the announcer just said ?

and he said - what ? are you deaf ?

and I said - yes I am actually - how can you tell ?

and luckily one of my fellow travellers said - Oh Peter - next train - platform 15 in 15 minutes and I thanked him effusively and so on

but I wouldnt expect the fellow to agonise about it - TBH

[bazwillrun]

Haha..brilliant...judging by the answers of the usual culprits on here it looks like theyve proven the point in the original post....oh the irony

The Church of The Brothers and Sisters of The Perpetually Offended....

[woofgang]

not to agonise about it PP, but maybe an apology and a resolve not to make snotty comments to strangers in future?

[bazwillrun]

"but maybe an apology and a resolve not to make snotty comments to strangers in future?!

oh please...get a life ...

[woofgang]

and there you go....snotty comment!
When you can't make cogent argument, descend to abuse.

[bazwillrun]

haha...OP proven yet again...you just dont get it do you ?

[bazwillrun]

"and there you go....snotty comment! "

so by your standards whats that classed as then ?....