No Offence.....but hasn't political correctness gone too far?

I've been noticing more and more that it is becoming very difficult in the normal activities of daily communication not to offend this group or that group, or this person or that person. So no matter that you have the sensitivity of Mother Theresa or live a life of social responsibility, respect others and live by the Golden Rule.....there is always someone who will take offence with the "label" that you use to describe them.

Perhaps someone would like to explain how it is possible to discuss any aspect of the human condition without a label ( read that as a 'describing word') of some kind?

You can call someone by their given name and depending on your tone and your manner , a person could take offence to that "label".

Many of these issues revolve around gender, race, ability, disease, social status etc.

Someone someplace "decides" that a paticular label is no longer politically correct. Then that transforms into another more politically correct label and so it goes. As and example ...Indian...aboriginal....native peoples...indiginous people etc. (I only use that as an example.)

Personally, I'm going to continue to speak respectfully to and about all human beings and try to accommodate their sensibilities wherever possible,

HOWEVER, I am tired of the language police telling me when they find my words inappropriate or politically incorrect.

"Take off, eh..."

I have recently learned that the term 'oriental' to describe Chinese, Japanese etc. is bad. I don't know why, but it's bad. Bad, bad, bad. The term Asian however is still okay...yet, Asia covers a lot of ground and people.... In the U.S. the term Indian to describe their native people is still okay...I know a fellow who is a native of the U.S. and he still refers to his people as Indian. As I understand it, we no longer have Eskimos, right? They are now?? Are black people still called black? Is it okay to call a white person a honky? Really, one needs to carry a list of current terms when having a conversation. LOL

Cking of the "language police" says: Just because someone comments doesn't mean they are offended. I commented about "labeling" the disabled. (Hey! That rhymes!) But I am not offended by it really. It's reality.

Perhaps in labeling groups, we are able to give them better services; they become a focus group. Perhaps it IS for the best?? For example, "seniors'" have deals and price cuts on certain days; "special needs" kids get services and assistance; the group labeled "young offenders" get reduced or no sentences!! I guess it's the way of our world.

My least favorite "label" is "those teachers!!"

But here is the ultimate which really turned my crank! I was once speaking to an Educational Assistant with whom I had worked a few years previous. She was telling me about her current placement. "I am working with 'A SPINA BIFIDA' in the mornings and 'AN AUTISTIC' in the afternoons. Doesn't that just make you cringe??

When I am reduced to "AN ALZHEIMERS," I don't wanna be here anymore!

Eskimos are Inuit. Or aboriginals. Or natives.

You can specify by saying East Asian or South Asian....or Chinese or Malaysian or Japanese.

Asian vs. Oriental - here's why Asian is ok, oriental is not ok when referring to a person:
Oriental - refers to items, such as a rug, furniture etc.. - not a person
Asian - refers to a group of countries when describing someone's heritage.

To me, calling someone oriental, reminds me of when black (or African American) people were called coloured...just very outdated.

I do agree that it can be difficult to keep up to ddate on what labels people are going by these days...we can only just do our best.

" Oriental is not an ethnic slur to be avoided in all situations. It is most objectionable in contemporary contexts and when used as a noun, as in "the appointment of an Oriental to head the commission".

In these cases Asian (or a more specific term such as Vietnamese, Korean, or Asian American, is the only acceptable term.

Random House's Guide to Sensitive Language states "Other words (e.g., Oriental, colored) are outdated or inaccurate."

This Guide to Sensitive Language suggests the use of "Asian or more specific designation such as Pacific Islander, Chinese American, [or] Korean." [4]

Merriam-Webster describes the term as "sometimes offensive,"[5]

Encarta states when the term is used as a noun it is considered "a highly offensive term for somebody from East Asia" [6]

Efforts are underway in Canada to have the term viewed as offensive."

The way I see it...you can't please everyone...

Treat people the way you'd want to be treated, and the world would be a better place...but that will never happen, and neither will controlling what people say....so ...good luck to the language police.

Due to the climate of political correctness now pervading in America, Kentuckians, Tennesseans and West Virginians will no longer be referred to as "HILLBILLIES."

You must now refer to them as
APPALACHIAN-AMERICANS
And furthermore



HOW TO SPEAK ABOUT WOMEN AND BE POLITICALLY CORRECT:




1. She is not a "BABE" or a "CHICK" - She is a
"BREASTED AMERICAN."




2. She is not "EASY" - She is
"HORIZONTALLY ACCESSIBLE."




3. She is not a "DUMB BLONDE" - She is a
"LIGHT-HAIRED DETOUR OFF THE INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY."




4. She has not "BEEN AROUND" - She is a
"PREVIOUSLY-ENJOYED COMPANION."




5. She does not "NAG" you - She becomes
" VERBALLY REPETITIVE."




6. She is not a "TWO-BIT HOOKER" - She is a
" LOW COST PROVIDER."




HOW TO SPEAK ABOUT MEN AND BE POLITICALLY CORRECT:



1. He does not have a "BEER GUT" - He has developed a "LIQUID GRAIN STORAGE FACILITY."




2. He is not a "BAD DANCER" - He is
"OVERLY CAUCASIAN."




3. He does not "GET LOST ALL THE TIME" - He

"INVESTIGATES ALTERNATIVE DESTINATIONS."




4. He is not "BALDING" - He is in
"FOLLICLE REGRESSION."




5. He does not act like a "TOTAL ASS" - He develops a case of RECTAL-CRANIAL INVERSION."





6. It's not his "CRACK" you see hanging out of his pants - It's "REAR CLEAVAGE."

--

Geez.....nice avatar, COMAX

IMO the whole "political correctness" is a farce

...That was taken before I put on weight

(lol)