If I ask an opinion about a topic, some people believe I'm attacking them.  Has the media made it acceptable for people to feel personally attacked whenever someone states an opinion?  And when someone says something, that you feel is offensive to you, do you get upset about it, or do you ignore it?
209920
Why are you easily offended about others being offended?\n\nSee, it all has to do with view point. Another thing I notice is that a lot of people on yahoo Answers do not know how to pose questions. You can say the same thing in two different ways, one way is a questions, if you say it another it's an attack. \n\nRealize too that this isn't face to face contact, perhaps if someone was listening to you they'd realize it wasn't offensive, but we don't have that ability here.\n\nWhy not do your best to be polite, and this way you won't worry so much about anyone who has been offended.
157955
simple, people are defensive. if you challenge their beleifs they might get angry and retaliate. \n\nive gotten alot of emails form people who simply chew me out because i have a conflicting beleif (see screen name for example) \n\nsome people see their beleifs or opinions as sacred, anyone with a conflicing view is either bad, evil or an a*s. therefore they attack.
196604
You answered your own question. All people have different opinions and not everyone is going to agree with you, and it doesn't really matter if they agree with you. You have your right to your opinion as do they. So don't worry about their opinion, just be thankful we live in a country where we have the right to our opinion.  Some people can see the evidence right in their face and it won't sway them, some people just like to argue too.
279544
Do you not see the irony in your own question? You have done exactly what you are protesting against..set conditions. There are times when people may be searching for an answer but they are not quite sure how to phrase the question. By adding some conditions, they may simply be trying to phrase their thoughts into written words. Note I said 'may.' Unfortunately, ekimo is correct in saying there are those who can't help but be obnoxious. That is one of the drawbacks to the web. Anonymity frees the rudeness aspect at times. A sad truth of the current human condition, but one which we must all deal with at times. Best advice I can give you, is try to develop a thicker skin against the idiots and watch for those who truly care about what they say and how they say it. There are millions of truly nice people within reach..thanks to the net. Hmmm..which is worse, the foolishness or the ability to connect with some great people? Never let anyone tell you that you are not a good person. Only you can determine that. Live, Love and Laugh. The joke is on them isn't it?
597243
why do people assume that calling somebody 'gay' is a bad thing?\n\nit's the same as calling somebody 'straight'. i never saw anybody get offended by that...\n\nmore importantly: why would YOU pressure somebody to come out of the closet? In this ignorant world coming out of the closet is a hard thing to do, unfortunately. I have a number of gay friends who had to go through the hard period right before coming out, and had to live with the condemnment of people after they came out.\n\ni'm not easily offended by questions, but this one is just way out of line.
114595
I agree, you can accept the views of others, it doesn't mean you need to practice what they believe.  As long as they are good people, I have no real problem with them.  It is thier choice as much as your's and mine to believe what they, you, I wish.\n\nI mean, why intentionally hurt someone?  Some people need to look up the word "tolerance" and then use it.
489117
people can't handle opinions, it is amazing that I actually get an answer to stay up anymore.  If it isn't yahoo, it is someone asking an opinion based question, and if they don't agree with me, i get abuse reported.  people need to cowboy up here!
672293
Nothing wrong at all.\nWhatever we do is our own business, I never let myself be influenced by what others think and that's what I think it's mentally healthy. Don't take stress from others' opinion, ever. they have the right to think what they think and we have the right not to give a f*ck about it! Oh yeah.
382372
I have trouble trying to tell people on Answers! my beliefs, even after they ask about them.\n\nMost often it is Christians. They ask a question, then I answer it honestly and they either report me to Yahoo, or they send me email, saying that I'm going to Hell and I don't belong in their world.\n\nI never say anything specificlly to offend people, I, along with most others on Answers just answer truthfully.\n\nI don't think my statements are taken out of context, however, I just think that they don't like to hear the Truth!!
285534
Whenever you ask a question, it is for others to give you the answer. There is always a person asking a question and a different person to answer the question. If you are allowed to ask and answer the same question, then it will not be a question. It will be a comment that you are trying to make to others, right?
301709
When you post a question, you have to expect people to be rude and some to  be nice.  Isn't that what this is for?  I's only someone's opinion whether good or bad.  Don't let it get you down.  If you have a question, then you have every right to ask them.  Please don't get offended by the few who are idiots. OK?
132059
Why do you feel the need to call people out in such a way. I don't enjoy talking to ignorant people myself but we're on a public website and I wouldn't call anyone stupid. I'm not trying to be mean but that's rude not mention it makes it seem like you feel as though you're superior. \n\nMaybe people talk the way talk and spell the way spell and think the way think because they weren't given the proper tools as young-lings. Just maybe, you should try to know some of the people that you feel are stupid and you might see them in a  totally different light. I feel you on being annoyed by ignorance, but sometimes people need a break because of their upbringing/schooling or lack of. Feel me?
62124
it doesn't really matter what other people say - it is for their own entertainment and won't have a huge effect on your life if you don't let it. like another commenter said, if someone askes you then tell them the truth, but don't go out of your way to change what everyone thinks or people will just gossip more
178027
I have a pretty bad knee jerk reaction to those sorts of things and it's hard for me to keep from answering their questions. I think the best thing to do is just not answer them at all. These guys (or gals) really do get a kick out of that kind of stuff and are amused at all the stupid white people (or what ever kind of people) that don't think their bigoted opinion is the truth. It seems to just reinforce their beliefs. know what I'm gonna try and ignore them, but I know I won't always be able to help myself. \nThat said, I know I've probably said some pretty sarcastic or inflammatory remarks in some of my answers but to attack a person for their beliefs is not the same as attacking someone for something that they can't change (like skin color or a physical or mental disability) PEOPLE CAN ALWAYS CHANGE THEIR BELIEFS. Let's just hope more of the bigots and racists of the world change theirs.
374907
Why go out of your way to "make Carol mad"?  That type of energy vented is a weakness in the person 'attacking' the other.  Want to make a point or make a statement?  Then do so in the vein of wisdom, strength, compassion but let that statement stand alone.  No need to 'go after' another with the goal of making her mad...especially in this avenue where you can't face that person in reality . . . ill comments made in this venue are cowardly.
276971
In order to be offended by what a person says, you have to respect that person, or at least care what that person thinks.\n\nAnd since I don't give a sh*t about Hillary, nothing that stupid b*tch says offends me.
577902
I remember always thinking people thought i was sensitive and I thought i was moody because of it.  What i have learned and i don't know if this goes for you but it's a shot, is that it wasn't that i was sensitive it was that i wasn't effective with telling people how i really felt.  I wasn't assertive enough. My feelings would get hurt easily and then i would get moody. I use to think having sensitivity was a weakness but i realized it is more of a blessing in a world where there are people who can be very insensitive.  Communicating effectively with the people around you will give you the confidence to not misunderstand what they are saying to you. For example, say someone says something to you that you interpret as hurtful, it is o.k. to calmly ask this person, what did you mean by that?  If they say Oh, I'm only kidding, calmly say, with confidence, i didn't fine that funny. Every situation, of course, will be different. If you practice being more assertive you will find that it is o.k. to keep your sensitivity and the moods will fade away.  Being sensitive is not a bad thing sadness and stress is.