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AIBU?

to think that people are using being offended to try and negate others

138 replies

Ohbehave1 · 04/12/2015 16:52

What is it about people being offended these days. Another thread on here says that someone was offended because someone else called their parents idiots. Someone is offended because of a jumper that says OCD -Obsessive Christmas Disorder and wants it banned. Christians are offended at this and Muslims at that so they should be banned.

Whatever happened to being allowed an opinion. Or being funny. It seems that the "I'm offended" brigade only exist because there are idiots out there that will listen to them and pander to their needs.

I am not saying that people should be allowed to be abusive or incite harts but there needs to be some common sense applied.

AIBU to think whatever happened to the phrase "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me?"

OP posts:

Report

Egosumquisum · 04/12/2015 19:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Fairenuff · 04/12/2015 19:08

If 'sticks and stone will break my bones but words will never hurt me' were true, social media would play no part in bullying children to the point of self harm.

That statement is nonsense and I'm surprised anyone uses it these days.

Owllady · 04/12/2015 19:11

Well it's sexual harassment to walk up to a person in the street and make a comment like that

Owllady · 04/12/2015 19:12

People who use groups who are different to them as targets to make people laugh are not funny
Quite.

Egosumquisum · 04/12/2015 19:13

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Cloppysow · 04/12/2015 19:14

I know it is. But i've had plenty of comments like that over the years and general shock that i haven't beem flattered because their intent was, as far as they were concerned, complimentary.

JeffreySadsacIsUnwell · 04/12/2015 19:15

For the first time ever in many years on MN (under different names thanks to hackers!) I posted on a thread earlier that I was offended by the OP. I'm not easily offended, but the OP's suggestion by implication that my DC might not be DH's and should therefore be DNA tested really did piss me off. TBH I don't think I was the only one offended by her argument that women can't be trusted to a) be faithful and b) confess if unfaithful.

PurpleDaisies · 04/12/2015 19:16

having a go at people who have reacted to something that has upset them by telling them to grow a thicker skin and stop being so offended is a great way of silencing people.

I totally agree with this.

Fairenuff · 04/12/2015 19:16

Remember this from 2007:

Emily Parr has been removed from the Big Brother house for using a racially offensive word to another housemate.

Emily said: "Are you pushing it out, you nigger?" to Charley Uchea, while they were dancing in the living room on Wednesday evening.

Indian-born Nicky Maxwell, who was also present, said to Emily: "Erm, I can't believe you just said that."

Charley said "You are in trouble", adding she was "in shock".

Emily replied: "Don't make a big thing out of it... I was joking."

In consultation with broadcast executives, the decision was taken to remove Emily from the house because she had breached rules governing contestant behaviour.

This includes causing serious offence based on the grounds of race.

Angela Jain, head of the Big Brother commissioning team, said: "The word nigger is clearly racially offensive and there was no justification for its use."

"I think people watching the show tonight will agree that Emily spoke carelessly rather than maliciously - certainly Charley and Nicky, the two housemates most directly involved in the conversation with her, seemed to accept that she did."

Ms Jain said that the decision had been taken in the wake of the alleged racist bullying of Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty on Celebrity Big Brother earlier this year.

A spokesman for the Commission For Racial Equality said: "Whichever way you look at it, the 'n' word is clearly offensive.

What do you think about it OP?

HermioneWeasley · 04/12/2015 19:20

I try not to offend people needlessly, but I think people are quick to try and shut down discussion by saying "I'm offended"

Witness the recent harassment of Maryam Namazie - Islamic students have tried to silence her legitimate criticisms of Islam by shouting about offence and safe space. And that's dangerous.

Ohbehave1 · 04/12/2015 19:27

Cloppy. You know that is not what I meant. If I say you look nice today that is a compliment. But some would complain saying I was objectifying them. Which clearly I wasn't.

OP posts:

Senpai · 04/12/2015 19:28

The "offended" brigade has crossed so far over Poe's Law, it's hard to take seriously anymore. People are offended to get the upper hand in an argument because they have nothing intelligent to contribute and to garner attention. It's the new grammar nazi.

There was a freak out over a Starbucks cup here in the US because... they took the damn snowflakes off it and made it plain red instead. That was an "attack on Christianity", which I found amusing considering their entire logo is a pagan goddess.

So when people tell me I've "offended" them, I don't take it too seriously. If they're truly upset, they'll get off the computer and go outside to breath some fresh air for a bit. No one is forcing anyone to remain upset at a computer. Unlike a real conversation you have the ability to control when it ends and walk away.

Egosumquisum · 04/12/2015 19:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ohbehave1 · 04/12/2015 19:32

Ego. In that context it is inappropriate. But if someone in the office you have worked with for years says you look nice should that be deemed as offensive? It shouldn't be ( unless they have history of unwanted attention).

OP posts:

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 04/12/2015 19:34

It's my opinion...that people who find the professionally offended/pc gone mad world we live in have less experience of being at the sharp end of the jokes, or bantz as I suppose it is nowadays.

This.

Plus the fact that pretty much anyone I have ever met who uses phrases like "PC brigade" and "PC gorn mad" is a bigoted twat who gets angry rather than look in the mirror.

Fairenuff · 04/12/2015 19:34

if someone in the office you have worked with for years says you look nice should that be deemed as offensive?

Who says it is? OP I think you are really confused as to what might be an offensive comment and what might not.

Egosumquisum · 04/12/2015 19:36

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ilovesooty · 04/12/2015 19:38

Exactly Fanjo

As soon as I see someone using phrases like that I tend to assume they simply want the freedom to be unpleasant without being challenged on it.

ForTheLongestTime · 04/12/2015 19:47

My OCD has had me on the brink of suicidal for the last month because it has me terrified I'm about to lose everything that makes my life worth living.
But let's totally LoL at straightening up pens! Serious, debilitating anxiety disorders are hilarious!

But seriously, I think it's one of those things you only earn the right to laugh at if you've gone through it.
Other people laughing at it are just making fun of the stereotypes, which, as elaborated by PPs makes light of a truly awful condition.

BertrandRussell · 04/12/2015 19:54

"If I say you look nice today that is a compliment. But some would complain saying I was objectifying them."

Have you ever heard of anyone actually saying that in response to "you look nice today"?

Ohbehave1 · 04/12/2015 20:06

Fairnuff. I am white so I wouldn't use the term Nigger ( or Nigga to americanise it). But I do think that equally a black person shouldn't use it - if a term is offensive it is offensive.

OP posts:

Egosumquisum · 04/12/2015 20:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Fairenuff · 04/12/2015 20:10

In that case OP, I think that it's not them, it's you.

It's probably good that you've raised this as you obviously don't 'get' what can cause offence and why.

Ohbehave1 · 04/12/2015 20:15

Ego. It's quite simple. If some people are "allowed" to use the word and some aren't, and it is known the word had 2 uses then why do you view it as negative straight away? Unless body language or the context is threatening or used in a negative way why would you take it any other way ?

OP posts:

redbinneo · 04/12/2015 20:19

Just don't use the word "niggardly". The professionally offended will be over you like a rash.

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