Why are we so concerned with not offending people.?
456516
Becuse we are still in the process of a massive social change in attitudes.  Racist, sexist and homophobic views have been the norm for most of history and it is only in my lifetime that it has become normal to consider that the races are equal, that religions should tolerate and respect each other, that homosexuality is OK, that women should have equal rights, and so on.\n\nA lot of hateful and offensive language has been eradicated from common vocabulary and this is largely a good thing.\n\nHowever, there will inevitably be areas in which the "PC" revolution has gone to far and some people have been unduly fanatical in their determination not to offend.  For example, my wife routinely criticises me for asking for a "black coffee" instead of a "coffee with milk" because she thinks I may give offence.\n\nIn some cases, the determination not to offend has violated the rules of common sense.  In other cases, the right not to be offended has trumped the right of free speech.  Over the next couple of decades, various anomolies will be corrected.  Middle aged white hetrosexual men will assert that they have rights too!
628987
mostly because they can stay anonymous. it is easy to be hurtful when there are no repercussions. their jerk side takes over and they show their ass.
711644
I don't think you have to worry about it.\nIt is easily explained by habit, stress or boredom.\nAllot of people do it and i is harmless.
688298
The question is...\n\nWhy do you worry about others?\nMake yourself worth thinking about.
291646
the best of intentions do not always mask the worst of acts.  even if no hurt was intended, folks say the first thing that occurs to them.  if more thought was put into what we say and if we took into account the emotional effects our words have on others, this wouldn't be the problem it is.  \n\nwe should all choose our words carefully, because (hopefully) someone might be listening.
246305
Racism is an issue because people make it an issue.  If everyone was less sensitive about everything, the world would be better.
387577
I have a better question.....why are you worried by this?
388230
I think first we have to realize that first and foremost these things probably arent going away in our generation. They have stuck it out for quite some time, and some peoples entire belief systems are grounded in ideals that are inclined to make them each of the things you listed. But that certainly doesnt mean we should not be fighting to try and alleviate these things whenever possible. One of the most effective things seem to be getting the most information out there possible. A lot of people are fact based people, they tend to believe whatever they are told because they havent had significant evidence to the contrary (a lot of this is ignorance too). The more people know that that person is a lot like i am, the less likely they are going to act negatively. There might need to be a push to get people to engage in activities with people outside the norm. Although theres probably akwardness that will need to be overcome, if there are enough people who can effectively break the ice so to speak, there might be a greater understanding for all. Encouraging diversity and promoting things from many different value systems might help everyone come closer together if its done in a positive light (not in a we are better than you because we do this). But as long as people keep fighting for alleviating prejudice, discrimination, and violence theres hope that someday we can remove these things for good.
476553
i think there are lots of people who are worried.. I'm one of them..we can stop it with self control and satisfaction..
563431
worry about what other people think
41906
People fear what they do not understand.  Often it is the folks who can't find a reason for their problems presume that things are different for them because other people are 'different'.\nBut this is a simple answer to a complex question.
332197
Its called immersion. If everyone is doing it, then it doesnt seem so out of place. And speak for yourself about it being a sensitive issue, Id have no problem doing it. :)
947022
You're obviously doing something to upset someone somewhere - even if you aren't doing it on purpose. It happens here on Y!Answers too, but life's too short to actually worry about it!\n\nRawlyn.
1021395
I agree that it would be a really great thing if we could do that. But who is considered one of the innocent people? And how do you define hurt? Physical only, or also mental? As long as there is greed, hate, intolerance, and other bad feelings out there people are going to continue hurting innocent people. Not because most of them want to, but merely because they want to get their way, and if the easiest road involves hurting an innocent, then so be it. It's a sad state of affairs, but I agree with you I hope that day comes (where people don't harm the innocent of course).
1039835
The POLICE are doing a job to protect us law abiding citizens from people who have no regard for the law or other people.  Only people who should be worried when talking to them are criminals or people with something to hide.
1130102
coz people think that they sounds coolllllll\nbut it should be stopped!!!\ni m with u, dont u worry!
117673
Everybody gets offended these days. Its pathetic. \n\nPeople's lives are too easy, life in general is too easy, so they need something to complain about. It truly is pathetic. \n\nNotice one thing thats missing from the Bill of Rights? There is nothing in there about 'having the right to not be offended'.