What is with this obsession with being offended on someone else's behalf?

[HalfPastWine]

I like this question. It's taken from another thread currently running.

Are we obsessed? Do we take offence too easily about comments/events when they're not actually aimed at us/involving us?

I happen to agree with it and think many MNers do too. Quite often you see comments like 'it's such a non-issue/don't get your knickers in a twist/ what's your point exactly and the favourite .....

I know some issues are worth a rant over but do you think that some people take a few things far too seriously?

I agree.

I find the act of assuming that someone will be offended, offensive in itself!

When I used to work for a well-known telecommunications company, years ago, we were banned one Christmas from finishing our calls with Merry Christmas" for fear of offended non-Christians.

We had two Muslims and one Sikh in the office - all of which were more offended by the presumption that they'd be offended! Same with the customers we'd speak to on the phone. Ludicrous.

The rule didn't last long after that

Tallulah I couldn't have put it better myself!

Yes, I think fear of offending can be taken way out of proportion.

I can't stand unfair discrimination though.

I think it depends though - in some cases I think it's right to be offended by something which doesn't touch you personally, because you are not in a vulnerable position, so are able to say "That's wrong" when the person affected might not feel in a position to make a fuss.

Like standing up to a bully who is victimising someone else - it's the right thing to do, because the victim isn't in a position to do it for themself.

But a lot of the time, its just people being officious and thinking they are the only ones who know what's acceptabel and what's not

I suppose it called empathy...or feeling for others or unselfishness. you tell me

I take a lot of what I read on here with a huge pinch of salt.

I honestly don't believe a lot of people are as 'offended' in Real Life as they claim to be on here. I think they just like posting what they think should be the right response/judgement rather than have the bollocks to tell it as they really see it.

I think it's more 'patronising' than 'empathetic' Often prefaced with 'It doesn't bother me but.... X, Y and Z type of people would be very offended'. Quite acceptable to say 'I am offended' of course... presumptious to assume what would offend others and then speak on their behalf.

Chil, Yes I think that's the difference - if it doesn't bother you then why assume it bothers another group of people? Whereas some things like bullying or racism are offensive in general, even to people not directly affected. So its fine to object to things because they are offensive, but not because you think other people may find them offensive.

Oh yeah, can be really patronising at times.