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

Me when I am always right:

Obviously it’s rude. Would you like it if someone described you as “a bit weird?” What a weird question. Has it ever been acceptable to call someone weird?!

@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 think it depends who is saying it, and their definition of weird.

My grandkids call me and my husband weird, when I have asked why? they say it's because we are not like normal grandparents...as in we are not like grandparents of old... we tend to do more than their parents do with them, activities, eating out and so on.
So I don't mind them using the word weird in that context.
If someone else called me weird...I wouldn't like it.

More context needed I think.

There are some words and phrases that aren’t ok in any way - racist, homophobic, ableist terms, to cite just a few.

There are other words that are fine and acceptable in every setting, including at work.

And then there are other words that are fine with family and friends but probably not anywhere else - like swearing, or certain types of casual language. I think for most people “weird” would fall into this latter group.

All humans judge others. It’s nonsense to suggest that you don’t. It’s part of our innate survival instinct. Sometimes it’s ok to share those thoughts with a trusted audience - sometimes you need to keep them to yourself. We all have different lines on what’s ok.

I’m AuDHD and am definitely weird. And I’m absolutely ok with that. I quite like my weirdness tbh.

Aside from the really unpleasant slurs, I think usually it’s less about the words used and more about the intent. If someone laughingly said about me “aaah she’s a bit weird” I’d have zero issues. But if they were being spiteful and trying to influence others into not being friends with me by calling me weird, I’d be pretty cross.

Absolutely nothing!

A lot of people would hate to be weird and are happily average/normal...... Im happy being weird and being thought of as weird rather than averagely normal.

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

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.

A lot of people are saying they need examples but I'd say what is weird is subjective as everyone's idea of normal is different.

There's definitely different levels of weirdness though.

Yes, there’s creepy weird and a bit quirky weird just for starters.

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

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

@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.

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

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.

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!

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?

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 ;)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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