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

[ThejoyofNC]

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

I think it's fine in a casual conversation with friends. I wouldn't write it down.

These days I find people are more likely to say 'almost certainly autistic' or (worse) 'on the spectrum' or (worst) 'neuro-spicy'. Personally, I think randomly diagnosing people is more offensive than saying someone is a bit weird, but it seems more normal to do that now.

Is it a criticism? Some see it as a compliment

And of course it’s socially acceptable to judge people ! We make judgements every moment we are with people - strange MN thing about judgement

Exactly this. Describing someone as "weird" is hardly a compliment.

Not every opinion or feeling needs to be expressed.

Judging someone in your head is one thing, expressing that judgement is very different.

Some people are just weird. Where do you lot live who think we shouldn't say it? You must all live in Utopia - I'd be bereft of descriptors for my bus journeys if I couldn't use that work.

Define weird 😉
I wish we could move past this obsession with what’s “socially acceptable.” People and situations should be described as they actually are, without everyone tiptoeing around language in fear of accidentally offending someone.

I expect adults to have the maturity to recognise that there are a lot of different types of people in the world, we’re not in secondary school and, even if you believe about yourself that you’re the cool popular girl (embarrassing in an adult tbh) there’s probably someone else who thinks you’re weird. So yeah, I do judge people who don’t seem to have reached that level of maturity, and I would judge someone for using ‘weird’ in the sense of ‘not as socially acceptable and mainstream as I think I am’.

If you’re using ‘weird’ to warn another woman about a man’s creepy behaviour or something that made you feel unsafe, that’s a bit different.

This is a perfect example of how we moderate our language now because of fear of reprisals - we behave as if everything is recorded for posterity

Maybe they are weird, but what's the point in saying it? It's not to be kind, is it?

There are plenty of other ways to describe someone.

I think I’d be more offended to be described as totally normal.

"Being weird" in neutral in whether it's a good thing or a bad thing.

Some times it's a compliment. Sometimes it's not.

Personally I don't mind it and would probably treat it as a compliment even if it was said in a negative manner because I don't like conforming to bullshit.

My cousin just described our whole family as a family of weirdos. I couldn't but agree.!

Random armchair diagnoses of autism are peak MN bingo.

Every single thread will contain one at some point. Doesn't matter what the thread is about.

"A bit of an oddity" was my DM's way of describing the unusual among us.
And we're all a bit odd in our own way.

Nah tbh. People think Im weird. I take it as a compliment. Im happier being weird than averagely beige aka boring.

It's not really socially acceptable, but then many people are more relaxed when talking amongst friends and family....they may say things they wouldn't say to a persons face.

In any case, one woman's 'weird' may be someone else's 'normal'.

I work in a public facing role and if my colleagues describe someone as weird or i do the same to them then we know to be wary of this person.
We are a sensible bunch of people who look out for each other so in this example i don't care that it may be socially unacceptable.

I mean, yes. If you write it down, it is recorded for posterity...

I don't write anything down that I wouldn't want screenshot and sent around WhatsApp. And i don't think that's a bad rule to live by

Depends on who you’re speaking to. To your partner, kids, mates totally fine to a work colleague no.

It's pretty rude, and not a compliment for sure.

I describe people as a bit weird all the time, usually when I'm introducing my brother to someone and saying 'don't mind him, he's a bit weird' because well, he is. And so am I tbh (genetic innit) and I don't mind people describing me as weird.

What's wrong with being average? The vast majority of people in existence are average.

Hmm quite split responses. The responses don't seem to match the poll which is weird (😉). Some people seem to be weird and proud and others think it's offensive.

I don't think anybody is ever really normal but I don't think I could get my knickers in a twist over being called weird.

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