Page 2 | Is it socially acceptable to describe someone as a bit weird?

ThejoyofNC · 2026-03-13T16:48:08+00:00

Having a discussion with a friend. Is it socially acceptable to say something like "he's a bit weird" these days? YANBU- yes YABU- no

MsSmartShoes · 13/03/2026 18:31

Weird, odd, quirky, creepy, eccentric - are all good descriptions but with nuanced differences.

Isittimeformynapyet · 13/03/2026 18:28

SunnyRedSnail · 13/03/2026 17:40

@ThejoyofNC I would argue that weird is not a bad thing at all. It means different and different is good. I'm often described as quirky. If someone said i was weird I wouldn't be offended at all.

The fact someone is calling someone weird almost implies to me that the person themselves is perhaps boring or maybe even a bit jealous!

I was poised over the agree button until you suggested jealousy.

It's such an unproven theory that gets trotted out for all unpleasant social behaviour, especially on MN.

I'm not saying it's never accurate, but in this case the normals really find lots of things weird because they're very narrow minded, not jealous.

faerylights · 13/03/2026 18:28

Okiedokie123 · 13/03/2026 18:17

@faerylights because you somehow managed to be insulted by something that I never meant as an insult. Just kinda the opposite to weird. Zero need for you to make a fuss about every word a person happens to use.

I’m not insulted

I just don’t see how boring can be anything but an insult (veiled or otherwise).

Just because someone doesn’t agree with you, or doesn’t understand you, doesn’t mean they’re insulted.

Forthesteps · 13/03/2026 18:25

Isittimeformynapyet · 13/03/2026 18:13

Weird as in unusual and you want to know more

There's not nearly enough people who fit this description for me. The majority of people, on the surface at least, are dull, dull, dull. I think folk are scared of being seen as weird.

I have no qualms about describing someone as weird or strange if that's how I find them. It doesn't always mean I dislike them.

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What's wrong with "interesting"? That's the opposite of "dull".

Okiedokie123 · 13/03/2026 18:17

@faerylights because you somehow managed to be insulted by something that I never meant as an insult. Just kinda the opposite to weird. Zero need for you to make a fuss about every word a person happens to use.

Isittimeformynapyet · 13/03/2026 18:13

Snorlaxo · 13/03/2026 17:06

I think that there’s 2 kinds of weird.

Weird as in unusual and you want to know more and weird as in you want to get away quickly.

Everybody has an element of the first definition where as the second type you hope to avoid.

Weird as in unusual and you want to know more

There's not nearly enough people who fit this description for me. The majority of people, on the surface at least, are dull, dull, dull. I think folk are scared of being seen as weird.

I have no qualms about describing someone as weird or strange if that's how I find them. It doesn't always mean I dislike them.

Forthesteps · 13/03/2026 18:09

Ethil · 13/03/2026 17:02

Not socially acceptable. Unfortunately. If we were able to trust our instincts and avoid people we found weird, we’d be better off.

Yes, autistic people would mostly be ostracised. Great.

🤨

faerylights · 13/03/2026 18:06

wheredidtheteago · 13/03/2026 17:59

As I stated before context and tone matters :)

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True - I've just never, ever heard it to be complimentary - It always sounds slightly judgemental and unkind.

Owly11 · 13/03/2026 18:04

I think it's an awful stigma if people have repeatedly been described as weird especially if when young/growing up. Weird basically means 'not one of us' and that brings feelings of not fitting in, not being acceptable to society at large. So in a private conversation outside the context of a group situation eg one friend saying to another friend 'my boss is a bit weird' - fine. But one group member (whether work, social, sporting etc) saying to another group member 'so and so is a bit weird' is not nice at all and may be the start of exclusion and even bullying of that person.

wheredidtheteago · 13/03/2026 17:59

faerylights · 13/03/2026 17:59

Is it? To me, "weird" has decidedly negative connotations. It's not a compliment.

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As I stated before context and tone matters :)

faerylights · 13/03/2026 17:59

wheredidtheteago · 13/03/2026 17:57

Usually because being called ‘weird’ is used when someone is ‘outside the norm’, likes different things, doesn’t follow the crowd… usually more interesting and fun people to be around than your average mike ;)

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Is it? To me, "weird" has decidedly negative connotations. It's not a compliment.

faerylights · 13/03/2026 17:58

Tigerbalmshark · 13/03/2026 17:57

You can find something boring without there being anything wrong with it. Athletics bores me to tears, there’s nothing wrong with other people doing it, or watching the Olympics on TV. I just don’t want to myself.

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Yes, that's fair - I just think when it comes to describing an actual person it's not exactly a very nice thing to say.

SomedayIllBeSaturdayNight · 13/03/2026 17:58

Describing someone else is weird is offensive.
Describing yourself as weird is just odd, and in my experience mostly done by the most straight-laced people I know.

NovemberMorn · 13/03/2026 17:57

Average.... can be both boring or normal.
Weird... can be both strange or unusual.

Surely it depends on how the person calling the name means it.

Tigerbalmshark · 13/03/2026 17:57

faerylights · 13/03/2026 17:45

Well, you clearly think something is wrong with it if you refer to it as boring.

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You can find something boring without there being anything wrong with it. Athletics bores me to tears, there’s nothing wrong with other people doing it, or watching the Olympics on TV. I just don’t want to myself.

RaininSummer · 13/03/2026 17:57

Weird van mean various things. I don't mind being described as weird by people who don't share my interests and values etc. I just think they are lame to think that. Weird can mean creepy vibes though. I definitely don't think it means a Nd person though but maybe that us because I am used to working with people with ASD, ADHD etc.

wheredidtheteago · 13/03/2026 17:57

faerylights · 13/03/2026 17:54

Why does it have to be one or the other?

I've seen a few comments like that - "I'd rather be weird than average" - I mean, most humans are decidedly average - why is it a bad thing?

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Usually because being called ‘weird’ is used when someone is ‘outside the norm’, likes different things, doesn’t follow the crowd… usually more interesting and fun people to be around than your average mike ;)

faerylights · 13/03/2026 17:54

wheredidtheteago · 13/03/2026 17:53

Depends if he was being a weirdo or not I suppose 🤣 it’s different from being called ‘creepy’ imo. I was a weirdo in school, better than being bang average in my opinion!

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Why does it have to be one or the other?

I've seen a few comments like that - "I'd rather be weird than average" - I mean, most humans are decidedly average - why is it a bad thing?

wheredidtheteago · 13/03/2026 17:53

faerylights · 13/03/2026 17:50

Would you be happy if your kid was being called a weirdo at school?

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Depends if he was being a weirdo or not I suppose 🤣 it’s different from being called ‘creepy’ imo. I was a weirdo in school, better than being bang average in my opinion!

SpidersAreShitheads · 13/03/2026 17:52

ThejoyofNC · 13/03/2026 17:48

A PP said Describing people as weird is downright offensive so some people seem to react more strongly than others

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Isn’t that the same with almost everything though?

There’s almost always someone going to be offended by words you use or views that you hold.

I think the best you can do is be guided by your own moral values and just avoid anything that is universally accepted as controversial or a slur.

If you constantly try to keep absolutely everyone happy you’ll tie yourself in knots.

youalright · 13/03/2026 17:52

I think where all a bit weird. Humans are, they don't just fit in to neat little boxes which is why i question the increase in diagnosis around ND

faerylights · 13/03/2026 17:52

Okiedokie123 · 13/03/2026 17:50

@faerylights sigh.

Well, calling someone "boring" is hardly complimentary, is it?

I'm not sure why you're "sighing". Telling someone they're boring is no better than telling someone they're weird - both have negative connotations.

Okiedokie123 · 13/03/2026 17:50

@faerylights sigh.

faerylights · 13/03/2026 17:50

wheredidtheteago · 13/03/2026 17:47

All depends on tone and context surely. My partner and I are weirdos (lovingly) but some people are… weirdos.. ya know what I mean. I don’t think there’s a problem pointing it out.

Edited

Would you be happy if your kid was being called a weirdo at school?

Original poster

ThejoyofNC · 13/03/2026 17:48

faerylights · 13/03/2026 17:35

It's not that I find it offensive as such - just unnecessary and a bit unkind.

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A PP said Describing people as weird is downright offensive so some people seem to react more strongly than others

OP posts: