Walk a mile in their shoes and maybe you'll understand why some people get offended at things you don't get offended at. Is there anything that offends, disgusts you? Is there anything that causes you to react with anger, sadness, fear, or any other such emotion? If so can you imagine someone that would not be similarly offended? Can you imagine that person saying, "Why is Mikeb85 such a goddamned wimp?"
In the western world we're incredibly tolerant to other people's religion, lifestyles, etc. If someone is intolerant to the point that they get offended from hearing "Merry Christmas", then it's clearly time to re-examine their own lives.
So while, I'm not offended at being told "Happy Holidays" I don't say to the Christians who don't like it, "Why are you such a wimp"? I understand where they are coming from even though I disagree with the reasons why they are offended. It's OK to recognize that someone is in a tizzy over something that I consider meaningless.
You might need to update that opinion now that the US has elected a man who pledged to roll back LGBT rights and stop Muslims from entering the country.
You mean the man who will likely have a homosexual man (Peter Thiel) lead his transition team.
> stop Muslims from entering the country
I don't agree with this, but I also don't agree with what's going on in countries like France. There has to be a middle ground somewhere. The unfortunate fact is that if you even mention immigration in a less than positive light, you're labeled a racist or a xenophobe. And now the other side has fought back. They've elected someone who gives them at least somewhat of a voice. Had the left not been so aggressive at trying to pin those with a dissenting voice (both on the left and the right really), I suspect we would be in a very different position today.
Trump has flaws, and I take issue with many of his positions, but this anti-gay and racist argument just doesn't hold up. I look forward to the day we can start debating policy again.
Including a gay person on Trump's transition team does not negate campaigning against gay marriage and transgender bathroom use. There being a good explanation for why people are intolerant of Islam does not negate the fact that they're intolerant of that religion.
Do we rebrand Halloween because of its pagan _religious_ historical context? Do we say, no no no more quinceaneras, that just promotes more patriarchal hegemony in a community which is characterized by patriarchy?
I don't think Christians are wimps for not liking "Happy Holidays".
I've walked quite a few miles in various circumstances. I married an immigrant who is dark skinned and Muslim. I'm Christian (albeit nominally). I myself grew up in a culture that's a bit different than WASP culture.
> Is there anything that causes you to react with anger, sadness, fear, or any other such emotion?
Not really, certainly nothing people say. I worked as a waiter for all my university years in fine dining - took plenty of abuse. Mostly from rich white people (keeping in mind I'm also white).
I see people as people, not as categories. Treating people differently than 'normal' is offensive, treating someone with kid gloves is offensive.
As far as words go, the only words that are offensive are those meant to offend. And well wishes aren't meant to offend.
Of course someone can say something to hurt me. But only if I know they want to hurt me. It's that knowledge which hurts, which can be conveyed by words, or other means. If someone says something offensive, but maybe the context is ambiguous or something, I like to give people the benefit of the doubt and assume maybe it was misspoken.
I find life is nicer when you assume the best, not the worst.
I wish more people thought the same way you do.
Words can cause people react viscerally. I recognize that.
