Steer clear of topics that might offend people
By zandi458
@zandi458 (28102)
Malaysia
September 18, 2009 8:27am CST
Ever been in the position of saying something and then, afterward, realizing that you said the wrong thing? You feel awful. It may have been said in innocence or without thinking, but nonetheless it was said.
It is difficult to make a comeback after you have blurt out something that's inappropriate. It may take only one comment to evoke a person sensitiveness. Sometimes we don't think what we say is going to be inappropriate or put someone in an uncomfortable position, and yet we keep in it. Joking about it can really add to the level of discomfort.
Seldom do I mean to hurt the feelings of others but sometimes words just fly out without realizing that it has caused grief. I should have refrained from responding about something am not sure of. Maybe it is our cultural differences that had landed me in a hot soup. What ever, I need to sharpen my awareness to whom I can level my thoughts with. Have you ever had that bad experience of being grossly misunderstood when you mean good?
10 people like this
19 responses
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
18 Sep 09
hi zandi oh yes I guess I have been there too but what I was talking about was not quite what upset mylotter friend rebuked me for, saying I was harsh. But the reason I had stated in the beginning of my discussions was that the young man who was asking each of we mylotters to put a dollar in his paypal account so he could pay his college tuition. I told him to go to his student financial aid and tell them his problem and they would help himn, and I told him that his disucussion had broken mylot rules. she felt I was being harsh and repremanded me but she didnt bother to read all of my discussion either. I did not mean to be harsh, rules are rules, and I do know that colleges have places to help students with finances. I do try to be sensitive but I felt mylot is no place to beg for money,for one thing we all need money, a lot of us are in dire straits but we do not belittle ourselves with begging. she seemed to think I had never been in want, now she didnt even know me or she never would have said that.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160721)
• United States
18 Sep 09
People look so heavily inward, they do not realize that the whole world around them is full of other people in need. Those of us who know you well understand that you are not harsh, Hatley.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
19 Sep 09
Unfortunately advices are not taken in good faith. I responded to one discussion when the poster was asking why newbies were advised to response first and not to post discussions. I told this guy he should make his presence felt here first by responding to discussion and once he is known here it is easier to get responses especially from people that he has responded before. Many newbies are complaining that they receive pathetic response or their discussions not getting any response. He was not happy with my response and try to create an issue out of my words. In the end I told him it is only my views and suggestion and he need not follow but he was not too happy of what I wrote.
@mrakobesie (1246)
• United States
18 Sep 09
I think you can't avoid every sensitive topic, every one has their own sensitive spot and we can't know about all of them. I know a girl who is very sensitive when it comes to psychiatric illnesses. We were sitting one day talking about nothing and one friend of mine mentioned that i had a tough life, this girl started crying because she thinks her life is terrible because her sister got psychiatric illness. there is no way we could know she would start crying just like that... Surely she had a few drinks before that, so she wasn't thinking streight anyway, but crying? she ended up crying a few times that night because my brother went ahead and said that there is no such thing as love, that all men are terrible people and so on and so forth... she had many bad relationships and cried because my brother's words reminded her about it.
2 people like this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
18 Sep 09
Too bad if we meet people that are hyper sensitive. We don't have the slightest idea of how our words can pierce through someone's heart and make them cry. Should we have known beforehand that a particular person is sensitive emotionally then we try to shift our conversations so as not to cloud their feelings.
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
3 Jan 10
Hi, zandi458. This has happened to me so many of times at myLot. That is why I will say, I don't mean to offend anyone and that I am not trying to be or sound mean. I have to tell someone this because they will get offended if I sound nasty. And then again, I will still be seen as nasty even if I may have posted something that they did not like. It is nothing that I can do about that. Some people will have to stop being so sensitive all of the time.
1 person likes this
@PeacefulWmn9 (10420)
• United States
20 Sep 09
Hello Zandi. Yes, I have had that experience more times than I wish! One has to be respectful of the feelings of others in order not to hurt them, but you also have to be kind and respectful of YOU. Apologize or do what you can to make a blunder right, and then forgive yourself, for you are only human. We all do this.
Karen
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
21 Sep 09
Thanks Karen. I have NEVER ever been a disrespectful person here. I know where I stand and would not try to even belittle the views of others. Question asked and I gave my honest views based on my experiences in mylot. When I stretch the truth, I got snap back. It propelled a chain of distasteful reactions and I was made to look like someone who is unreliable or maybe a fool. But why ask when this poster can't even weight the views of others in broader prospect. I have tried to explain in detail but my explanations was futile as it landed on deaf ears. I am not arrogant but there is no need to apologize to this person as I was all along only trying to help but my words never reached its destiny instead being challenged. I wish the discussion still exist you could have seen my response to it. This discussion that I have started here has close link to that discussion. As you know I have been a long standing member here and this has been the first incident that has really made a deep mark in what is supposed to be a clean record of truthfulness, friendliness and happy go lucky person. In my race for excellence, I believe there is no finish line. I am more concern with character than with reputation. The character is what you really are, while reputation is merely what others think you are.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
25 Sep 09
One have to be good enough, smart enough to be engaged in mylot battlefield as mylot policemen are all over tracking on people who have over shoot the boundary. I have to stop short of further arguing when the barometer reaches boiling point as I would not wish to be banned for one silly mistake that wipes out my long tenancy in mylot as I still love to interact with people here.
@PeacefulWmn9 (10420)
• United States
25 Sep 09
Like you, I believe we learn our entire lives. In one of the discussions where someone merely wished to be contentious, I responded one time and only one and left the rest of the remarks unanswered.
I can see by your number of posts that you've been here awhile and yes, in good standing. Some love to pick a fight just for the so-called fun of it.
Carry on!
Karen
1 person likes this
@mama_bear (1118)
• Canada
20 Sep 09
i recently offended someone of size. well i sent her to go and read again what i had written and that if she was still offended after re-reading then i would be more than happy to apologize. she never got back to me on that. in general i think through what i say, and if it offends someone, i am still entitled to my opinion, simply either boycott my posts or be mature about it. i mean there are some who set out to inflame, but in most cases, someone has misinterpretted something that has been said, when no offence was intended. i think that if something like that happens then someone apologizes if they unintentionally offended you, i think that that apology should be accepted, because these things happen in this little old multicutural diverse planet we live on. and look if someone does not accept your apology, that is all on them. do not let it make you feel bad because that is their intent. you accidentally do an oops it is a mistake, but if that person in turn chooses to be unreasonable with the hope that you will feel bad, do not let them. don't let the evils win. do not feel bad unless your intent was to make someone feel bad.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
20 Sep 09
You said it all and I am grateful to have an open-minded person to give her views and your views at least gives me a ray of hope that I am who I am and my words are my opinion which am entitled to and it doesn't mean to offend others. Misinterpretation is the cause of this misunderstanding.
@mama_bear (1118)
• Canada
28 Sep 09
thanks there rocking dude, just bear in mind that some people have either a chip on their shoulder about something, or they are just confrontational. they have the option to boycott your posts, we all have a choice to participate. i for one do not stand for silliness or putdowns! rock on!
1 person likes this
@Iriene88 (5343)
• Malaysia
18 Sep 09
Dear zandi,
I realised this whole week is not a very good week.
For this 3 months in myLot, this is the first time
I got 'misunderstood' too. I realised I am too naif
and take words by words as the actual meaning which
in actual fact it is 'metaphore'.
I agree with you, English language is very important here!
I beleive in what you said :~
Steer clear of topics that might offend people
I make a mistake again just now by responding to a sensitive
topic. I just want to share my views, but after posted, I realise
other my misunderstood my meaning....
Thanks and have a great weekend!
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
18 Sep 09
Hi Iriene, Yes, we can't avoid not to step on some toes here as we all come from different backgrounds and cultures. What might be good to us might not fare well to others. It is not only talking about sensitive topics but to understand human nature, as have very fragile emotions and some are hot tempered. Language is another problem here where we might not be as conversant as the native speakers or people who have a strong command of this language. They should take that into account and not blindly condemn the weak.
1 person likes this
@Iriene88 (5343)
• Malaysia
18 Sep 09
Dear zandi,
What you said is very true. It really make
me feel better to know that someone do understand
our weakness. You are right, we all from different
cultures and what seems allright to us may not be
the case to others. Like the saying :~
One's man meat can be another man's poison...
Thanks for your wonderful comments, truly appreciate it :)
1 person likes this
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
9 Nov 09
Yep! I am sure you are not alone.
And I too have been caught in situations like that.
I am lucky that the people I blurted out my responses to are willing to forgive me.
But I may not be so lucky all the time.
So now, I try to practice as much restraint as possible. And always try to put some delay in my responses so that I can at least "think" thru my thoughts at least once to ensure it is appropriate before opening my mouth.
It is a tough thing to do and a constant uphill struggle. But I am trying my best to be tactful ALL the time.
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
29 Dec 09
Mylot really teaches us to be tolerant, smart thinkers, and patience with people of different cultures. We should keep guard of what we say to compromise with the level of mentality of the different people here. To be on the safe side, we should be flexible in our approach.
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
19 Sep 09
Yes, many times. I am very plain spoken. I tell the truth no matter what & sometimes people don't want to hear the truth altho they ask for your opinion. They better not ask me if they don't want to hear it, sorry.
@rosdimy (3926)
• Malaysia
19 Sep 09
Sort of. Sometimes I approach a topic from a different angle, and/or based on personal experiences. I remember two cases of being reprimanded.
The first for something which I did not explicitly state in my response to this person's discussion. The person even mentioned about it in a response to another discussion. I had a feeling that further responses from me would not be accepted, so I no longer posted any response to this member's post. Not my loss.
The second was in the Relationship section. I responded to someone based on my experience, and the person who started the discussion share the same culture and religion as I do. Another person of a different culture and religion scolded me for giving my opinion, which was not in line with her ideas on what to do. Personal experience does not matter? She did not comment back on my reply.
It is hard to decide which topic would offend people, but I have identified a few. At the same time not all people will be offended, so sometimes I stil take the risk when I am in the mood to.
Who knows, the offended person may later on become a close friend.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
19 Sep 09
Hi rosdimy, May I wish you SELAMAT HARI RAYA ADIL FITRI' and to all our muslim brothers and sisters who are celebrating this joyous occasion. Well we just can't please everyone here. Unfortunately, some people don't have the courtesy to respect others views and that makes it more difficult for us to establish good rapports with each other. In the realm of human behavior, you can't win them all. In fact, you don't need to win them all. We should utilize our endurance to protect ourselves from such insults and press on with our life in mylot.
@hotsummer (13837)
• Philippines
19 Sep 09
yes we must be very careful on what we say or write. better to edit first before sending it . cause once it is submitted we can't any more edit it. anyways, i don't make a very sensitive topic as i avoid to post something that might hurt other or be misunderstood. we can still make good topics that are not offending.
1 person likes this
@angelajoy (1825)
• Philippines
19 Sep 09
I always try to be nice to people here, but there are those who are totally rude. That's why now I refrain from participating in discussions like politics because many people who participate there think they know everything. I try to avoid those people. It's just a waste of time and energy.
1 person likes this
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
19 Sep 09
I agree with you there, it's not bad when you talked about serious topics but once it has taken on it's toll and start becoming personal, i don't consider that as a debate any longer.we have every single right to respond to every-one. no-one has the right to tell us where to and where not to respond, except the admin, but even the admin never told that either.
@busybren (258)
• United States
19 Sep 09
Actually I try saying it in the simplest words possible, but that's what makes some of the stuff I say, possibly "offensive or cruel" in some way. However if I noticed that I've made the person react with an unpleasant expression I start rephrasing my statement in lighter terms. I continue to do this till the person gets what I'm saying LoL
@martinatintin (85)
• Philippines
19 Sep 09
Always think before you say something, and if even if you say something that bad better to clarify it immediately before you start flaming each other, it's always good to say the things right.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160721)
• United States
18 Sep 09
I certainly have. It is inevitable. We do not mean to offend. We actually may mean to offer support to someone, but in the long run it hurts someone else. Hopefully the offended person can take into consideration your entire personality and not be permanently offended, and the next time you may remember that that is a touchy subject for that particular person.
1 person likes this
@savypat (20216)
• United States
18 Sep 09
I live and work among people who do not hold my beliefs at all so I am always conscious of what I say. My problem is what I don't say rather than what I do. Most people think I am either stupid or shy and that is a safe way for me to maintain peace. This is why I love mylot, I can say what I want as long as I use the right words and people can either take me or leave me as they wish. What a blessing that is for me.
1 person likes this
@ProudMommy22 (705)
• United States
18 Sep 09
I myself am a blunt person and if its a difference in opinions then so be it. However everyone has an opinion about things. There are times when ive said things that offended people however as the old saying gos " The Truth hurts" comes into play. Alot of people wants others opinions but if its not the opinion they want to hear they do get offend fairly easy. But it happens to people everyday. So Sometimes its good to say how you feel on a subject and sometimes its not just depending on the subject but its just your opinion and no one has to agree or disagree with it.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
18 Sep 09
A blunt person is not necessarily a wicked person. The outspoken people have extra wire in their brains that spur them to say things that might not go down well with others. But again, my principle is take it or leave it as I am only sharing my personal views.
@kawalnarang (1095)
• Trinidad And Tobago
18 Sep 09
Similar case here,, cultural differences,, no mater what we try,, certain words mean so much different to people ,, and then It 's so hard to clarify the thoughts,, also when some people think they are wiser than the other
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
19 Sep 09
You are right. But we should be able to interact with people of all creed and races and accept their views in good faith and not try show that they are more superior than the other. There is no place for arrogant people in mylot. Everyone has their own strength.