Do we have a right to be offended?

Hi. dawnald. In my own way of dealing with people, if I am offended, I will talk to them about how I feel. I will let them know how their words or statement has offended me. I don't think there is any reason for anyone to get offended by these three statements that you have posted here in your discussion. If someone intentionally tries to offend me personally, then that is when I will say what I have to say then. I don't cut any corners when it comes to this.

Hello Dawnald, Regarding with the situation with Indian Lotter issue with paypal and lamby getting out of hand there, i think it was just a misunderstanding that one lotter took it's toll and asking for indian moral support in mylot regards to that issue. With regards to the Pagpag Issue, i think there was a misunderstanding with that issue also. though i understand some lotters who are not in that country tries to raise that issue. some are Offended because they know that they can't do a damn thing though some have done for their country as well. My point is that most foreigners (e.g. Indians or Filipinos) doesn't talk about Issues US, UK or any other country for that matter. but the ones living on that country starts opening it up, that's got them offended. i am sure US lotters doesn't like others from different country talking about US politics or how much americans should love obama, things like that. i remember one Fil-am lotter who engages a healthy debate regarding unemployment issue in the US, he got neg rated badly. As a Filipino, expect the negative impact if topics about pinoys started by foreigners. any attempt to challenge a filipino to do something for their country sometimes some people might actually consider it as an insult too since a lot are already doing something for the Philippines. most aren't seen by foreign media. except for Mr. Edwin Florida and his mobile (kariton) classroom. we just have to respect the fact that some filipino/others for that matter will indefinitely get offended. that's just to it.

Being offended is a choice, just like all of our other attitudes. Mostly, I choose not to be offended, but then again, if I was offended, I would probably not put it out there for the whole world of the internet to see. People who were aware something bothered me might step it up and do it even more. I might give a private message, but still would not blast someone. I had someone get offended on my behalf one time, when I was not offended at all. I had to find a way to tell this person that 1. the comment was meant in kindness not sarcasm and 2. that was not the first person who called me that and 3. calling me grandma was meant to be respectful by this person from another country, I am old enough to be grandma to quite a few on here.

I have seen that people sort of LOVE to get offended when no offence was meant. So now I don´t comment here much about religion or politics (2 subjects I love to talk about). People get offented if the rest of the world does not think as they do. This is my second account here. The first one was deleted because I encountered a very rude person and told her she was being rude. I got deleted and lost my earnings. I came with new feathers and decided not to pursue the problem. I would NEVER post here anything about anything that is a problem in the US. I am sure a lot of my friends (let alone mylotters who are NOT friends) would get offended. I´d rather talk about it when my friends come to diner at home. Just look at Lamb´s and MsDianait´s star. They should have a 10 and yet... (dot dot dot)

Dawny, i don't ever get offended, BUT love to offend others. Good for my blood pressure. People should juts grow up and take it as it comes. To be offended about such small childlish things really make my nerves tense up. Not good for my health.

Defensive, paranoid, suspicious, i would say all three of these things contribute to why certain people get offended at the slightest things said to or about them. Although i do agree some people are just looking for the opportunity to start an argument no matter what, in 2 of the 3 cases you mentioned, i believe it's more like being defensive and suspicious of anyone who isn't from their own country and so they believe they're being made fun of and become offended.Should they be?, of course not, especially when there was no intention or purpose to ridicule them in any way.but, unfortunately,we live in a world where sometimes there is very little trust between people of a different culture or country and i believe this is the main reason why some people seem to always have their guard up.

I think they All have th right to be offended. Everybody Has that right. But what do you do next? I think a understanding person would tell the other person that they were offended and Why. then if the person just laughs it off or is Still insensitive Then you walk away. But to get offeneded and then become a troll and try to make the other person'e life a livin hell is Way too much. I'm a very sensitive person. many thing offend me, especially when it is geared to a group I don't belong to. For example I would get pi$$ed off when others demean Catholics , even thoufgh I couldn't be Catholic , Ever. But I wouldn't make that person an enemy just because of a prejudged statyement. But I Will dem you an enememy if he Statement is personal amf geared at me or someone I love! To this day I haven't forgiven George Clooney for what he said about Davis Caruso. Both men patched things up Years and years ago but not me.

I would say that we have the right to be offended as we have the right to be pleased. it is not something that we can stop in a way. The way we share it though, is what makes a difference. If we attack, then I think this it not the way to go as then offensiveness gets into a loop, and doesn't get anywhere. To be able to examing our offence when we feel it, is a way to transcend it and learn about the way our minds are conditioned. In Zen, the aim is detachment, so that it is OK for anybody to be any way they are. This experience will diffuse many strained situations. _Derek

I don't know them. The O'Ffended family. Are they Irish? People are too sensitive. I don't blame people for not being English. Somebody has to be Johnny Foreigner after all...

I think everyone has a right to be offended. But certainly everyone needs to control their reactions to what offends them. Ok, one gets offended - speak up in a civil way, or eh, keep it to yourself. No need to fly off the handle or "go postal". Some people are more sensitive than others . . . what's offensive to some people may not be offensive to me. Yes, talking it out could help . . . it probably won't change anyones mind, but at least one could learn about the other point of view. Cultural difference is always a possibility . . . I see the use of the word "offended" when they probably mean something more like "annoyed". I have a friend who gets seriously offended when she get complimented just because she wears a dress to work (the feminist thing). Well, that's her right to feel that way - even though it's silly to me.

People today are simply way too sensitive dawnald, based on my own observations. I will share with you that in my 10 months here, this this be my 11th, but my first 3 months I was not at all active. However, I came on each and every day and read, read, read.. for several reasons firstly I honestly signed up to myLot thinking it was an article writing site. Immediately realized it was a discussion forum, which I was not interested in. So I read a lot, and studied the pattern and flow from my early membership dating back to the beginning of time. I did not participate but I read, based on my observations I was able to see who did what, although not really sure why, but I immediately figured out that it was absolutely no different from what I have seen in my entire offline line life. There are many factors to the why; personalities, language barriers, misunderstandings and just plain mean. I am by no means perfect nor do I try to perceive myself to be, but what I noticed is that yes perhaps some topics are sensitive and or taken sensitively but on the other hand too, what I mostly notice is that no one offers explanation, more like stronger attacks which of course leads to retaliation. Usually the initial sensitive person, for the lack of there of ends up leaving and still not understanding but more on the defense. I have been one to always give the benefit of the doubt especially when the language barrier is a factor, I can't begin to tell you how it gets taken out of content, but normally I come back and explain and usually all ends well. What I notice on many discussions that I do not participate but observe is that the OP at times does try to give the benefit of the doubt but does so a bit too strong and the person without the understanding gets stronger back. So it sort of is a two way street. Something I have learned from a member here, simply by her writing is that if we read and re-read there may be some truth and or understanding to end the misunderstanding. Something most do not do. *sad* Lastly some after carrying the chip/hassle continue to patronize so some members opt to leave and not deal with the pettiness, who can blame them. There are far greater issues offline that I am sure deserves more exertion.

I'm a filipino. I don't usually get offended unless the discussion is about the problem and not about the people in the Philippines. Example was the time when Philippines sufferred from 2 consecutive typhoon that lead to a very horrifying flood in 2009. A twitter user twitted about this issue and said that the monkeys are drowning. How can you not be offended by that. BTW this is the only event in the internet that I got offended.

I came from Philippines, and i read a lot of post about Philippines but i never get offended because that is one reality Filipinos have to accept it. Well Filipinos have different attitudes and view and feelings about our country. I only feel offended when i feel discriminated. ;)

these words; misconception, misleading,misunderstanding are not meant to offend.

I really like this question, and I have learned a lot of things about cultural diversity in the class I just finished. When you don't understand how people from other cultures think, you tend to try to make them just like yourself. This is not good because each culture has its own values and beliefs. If people were to take the time to learn about some of these value and belief structures of different cultures, the world could probably be a more peaceful place. So many times, little misunderstandings occur and people become offended and things really blow up! Although my class was aimed at teachers who are teaching culturally and linguistically diverse learners in the American education system, I think the information I learned could be equally applied to other situations. Perhaps a similar class should be REQUIRED of ALL politicians and business people throughout the world before people are allowed to run for office or work in another country. Even common people should have to have some knowledge of this information to prevent possible misunderstanding! Thanks for bringing this up!!!

I think they do go in with a chip. They have had a bad experience or something so therefor they don't want the subject brought up. The mom that doesn't want to be called that-that could be because of vanity too. The common thread? We're all human with human frailties and traits that lead us and not much way to get around it.

since we are all human, i guess we are. it is the sign that we have feelings and it is normal. if someone told me here that i am b1tch and big fat liar and i don't get offended, now that is strange for me.

I hardly ever get offended by something somebody says on the internet. There are some things, heavy issues, that we can't talk about without offending somebody. But we should make an attempt to treat others with respect and dignity. The last time I remember being seriously offended was in a face-to-face conversation with someone who's really good at saying blunt and offensive things. I disagreed with him about the way he interpreted a scene in a film and I was going to explain why I disagreed with him when he interrupted by shouting, "Well, you read Twilight!" ... ... and therefore I'm stupid and that's why I can't see things your way?

Hmmm. Well, people certainly do have a right to be offended, but if they want to get nasty they can go somewhere else. MyLot has a right to delete their comments or account.

hi, i think offend is depend upon the person on how can he/she absorb that,if he/she will allow it to affect his/her day.