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

Nothing to do with nowadays, people often say it, including youngsters, eg "He is seriously weird", even "Stop being so weird!".

I agree it shouldn’t be used unkindly and it has been towards my autistic son who is a bit odd at times to be fair. I wouldn’t use it as an insult either, of course I wouldn’t. However it is a very commonly used word amongst youngsters it seems.

But we are all different
i guess it’s how it’s used - when friend call me wierd because I like camping they are just meaning “you would never catch me doing that “ but there is no “othering” about it at all

you can say “oh nice” and mean it as an insult

it’s not the words we should be judging , limiting , it’s the intent

Yes! I think this sums it up for me too.

You can say anything you want. We still have for the time being freedom of speech.

Should we also ban the word nice?

because I have often had that word used in a bullying way - usually involving sniggering in the background - we can’t go around banning words and expect people to be more kind and tolerant as a result because people find a way

we need to hear the intent not the word

I call most of my friends and family a bit weird! It's a term of endearment.

So not a form of 'othering' for us more a form of belonging

'A bit weird' is an insult so is it socially acceptable to insult someone? Gossip/private conversations can be socially acceptable...but it wouldn't be acceptable to say that about someone in a wider conversation. Same as any other insult really.

The fact that literally everyone does it - including you, without a doubt - suggests that it is, in fact, completely socially acceptable.