A lot of people seem to be like that. Like, "let's see how many people I can offend just so I can tell them they're too easily offended." I mean, yeah, some people do take things too seriously and you should try not to let what strangers say get to you, but if you go out of your way to be an asshole, you don't get to complain when people react. Basically, just try to be nice. It's not that hard, you know?
Always possible; there are certainly a lot more horses' asses out there than horses. I do not take it that way, though. I'm sure we have all noticed that plenty of people these days find something to be offended about in almost everything that almost everyone else does or says. These people go to great lengths to try and silence the people with whom they disagree instead of trying to argue their position or simply accepting that others are allowed to hold a different opinion. Some people walk on eggshells and censor themselves trying not to offend others, but this is ultimately impossible in our current world. I am an open-minded and tolerant man, to a point, but I absolutely will not spend my days fretting over every syllable I utter and word I type for fear of sending someone looking for a "safe space" in tears. I support your (whoever, in general) right to hold any opinion you may, whether I agree or not, and I expect no less in return. And that is how I take this post.
Right, I agree that you shouldn't have to censor yourself just to cater to others. There are too many people in this world for everybody to agree on everything and if someone does disagree, it shouldn't be the end of the world. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and is entitled to share it.
I guess the thing that bothers me is, like I said, some people seem to go out of their way to be mean/rude about it. I mean, I know you have the freedom to state your opinion any way you want, so it's not so much a "you can't do that" kind of thing as much as it is a "you shouldn't/don't have to do that" kind of thing, if that makes sense. You can say something in a respectful way without having to walk on eggshells.
I know all that kinda contradicts what I said about how you shouldn't let the things others say get to you and I know that in the end you can't stop people from saying things how they want to, but it's possible to be nice/respectful to people and still say what you want to say.
I agree with what you say (I think ;-). There certainly are those who simply do not care about others and there are those who purposely try to offend. Of course there are also those who purposely try to BE offended. I have no idea what op's intent was, or if someone else made the post, what their intent was, but I agree whole-heartedly. As I said, from a position of "I will not try to offend, but I will not shut up and kiss someone's ass to avoid pissing them off either." Respect is a two-way street.
That is very true as well. There definitely are some people out there just looking for things to complain and be offended about. But honestly, when it's really obvious stuff like that, like women who claim offense and scream misogyny when a guy holds the door open for them, I just ignore them. I mean, I'll probably read what they have to say, but then I just go about my day.
I guess the thing that bothers me is, like I said, some people seem to go out of their way to be mean/rude about it. I mean, I know you have the freedom to state your opinion any way you want, so it's not so much a "you can't do that" kind of thing as much as it is a "you shouldn't/don't have to do that" kind of thing, if that makes sense. You can say something in a respectful way without having to walk on eggshells.
I know all that kinda contradicts what I said about how you shouldn't let the things others say get to you and I know that in the end you can't stop people from saying things how they want to, but it's possible to be nice/respectful to people and still say what you want to say.