Are we too PC??

[Kaleigh]

Some times I think we are. Other''s I think we aren''t.

Discuss.....

 

[Indylady]

Not really. I appreciate sensitivity.

 

[iheartscience]

I guess that depends on your definition of PC. What exactly do you mean?

Should people take care to avoid using offensive language? Yes, definitely! Should people become so worried about being PC that they don''t discuss touchy issues? No way-that hurts us more than helps us, I think.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 3/21/2010 11:36:50 PM
Author: thing2of2
I guess that depends on your definition of PC. What exactly do you mean?

Should people take care to avoid using offensive language? Yes, definitely! Should people become so worried about being PC that they don't discuss touchy issues? No way-that hurts us more than helps us, I think.

I think when it comes to not saying what we really feel, that hurts us, and those asking for our opinions...


Like be real people....

I was surprised by the thread of what you don't like in jewelry.. Some people didn't like it.


I was thinking, wow, this is a lot different than when I joined PS. If I had complained back then, I would be told to grow a thicker skin.

I now have a few layers so am good!!!

 

[kenny]

Oh boy.
I think you cannot be too politically correct but you can be too uptight.

I believe it is what's in your heart that counts.
I do not really believe blonds are dumb.
When I interview job candidates I give NO weight to all those you-know-what categories, only to legit qualifications.
But I WILL tell blond jokes, gay jokes, everything jokes - in the company of those who know me well enough to know I'm not holding superiority in my heart.
The jokes are funny, stereotypes can be funny and I know in my heart I do not feel superior to any group.

There is an actor named Josh Perry whom I believe has Down Syndrome.
He's an actor/comedian and when I watch his work I am confronted with all kinds of stuff.
He's funny but I felt like I was laughing for the wrong reasons, like laughing AT him. (but his humor plays on his condition)

But then I realized, Hey, Why can't a man with DS be a comedian?
Isn't it bigoted of me to NOT laugh at his humor?
At first I was ashamed to watch his youtube videos.
Now I'm quite accepting of his work and I laugh my guts out.

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 3/21/2010 11:45:12 PM
Author: Kaleigh
Like be real people....

Juicy! Soooo curious what inspired this line of thought ... But lemmie answer the question. Yes. We are too PC (as a group). Yet some would say I'm not nearly PC enough.

 

[yssie]

There are offensive and inoffensive ways to say anything. I think it''s fine to say whatever you want as long as you can phrase it in such a way that it''s not a personal insult to anyone..



So yeah, about that thread... thicker skin

 

[kenny]

Here's Josh Perry talking about taking back the R word.
He's the one wearing the brown shirt.

Click

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 3/21/2010 11:51:54 PM
Author: decodelighted

Date: 3/21/2010 11:45:12 PM
Author: Kaleigh
Like be real people....

Juicy! Soooo curious what inspired this line of thought ... But lemmie answer the question. Yes. We are too PC (as a group). Yet some would say I''m not nearly PC enough.

No you stay just the way you are.

 

[ladypirate]

Not me--I''m a mac!

 

[megumic]

Do you mean as a society or on PS???

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 3/21/2010 11:57:23 PM
Author: yssie
There are offensive and inoffensive ways to say anything. I think it''s fine to say whatever you want as long as you can phrase it in such a way that it''s not a personal insult to anyone..



So yeah, about that thread... thicker skin

would that be possible?

 

[Imdanny]

I don''t really get the "PC" thing. I mean don''t make racial insults type of thing should just be obvious.

Are we on PS too "PC"? If so I''m not aware of it.

Huh. I guess I should read the ''what I don''t like in jewelry'' thread.

 

[Catmom]

I think there are ways of getting your point across without having to be rude about it and I''ve seen downright rude answers here that people get away with under the guise of "keeping it real."

 

[CasaBlanca]

Date: 3/22/2010 12:51:14 AM
Author: ladypirate
Not me--I'm a mac!

Thanks for the belly laugh! I spit stash labeled herbal chocolate hazelnut tea at my monitor. I will be thinking of you long after the stain sets! A laugh with lasting impression...all for free! Messy, but free!

Yes Kaleigh, I saw it too!

 

[risingsun]

Date: 3/22/2010 9:07:48 AM
Author: Catmom
I think there are ways of getting your point across without having to be rude about it and I've seen downright rude answers here that people get away with under the guise of 'keeping it real.'

ITA with Catmom! I am the infamous person who suggested that feelings might get hurt on the other thread. I wasn't trying to be PC. I expressed an opinion and even called myself out on my own opinion. Much ado about nothing was made about this comment, IMO. I was really surprised

 

[janinegirly]

When I was in college, "PC" was at its height. We had to be sensitive to everything and anything. We had 3 hr debates over having a Christmas tree in our lobby. If you had an opinion which was not in line with what was deemed socially acceptable, be prepared to only share it behind closed doors. The irony was pretty unbelievable. I was in a all women's dorm (womnyn) and there were lengthy requirements over having men wandering the hallways--my friend's father was helping carry boxes so she could move in and he was accosted "WHO let this man come in unsupervised??". We were advised what words to describe others were acceptable, were not. Honestly it was a bubble and not realistic and very stifling. But it did make me realize what was important to me.

I'm all about free speech, expression and debate. This can all be done without offending or being cruel. So yes I would say often we are a bit too cautious here--there are topics that are off limits here as we all know. But then sometimes I remember my experiences with other "wedding oriented" forums and think maybe it's not such a bad thing!

 

[galeteia]

Date: 3/22/2010 9:07:48 AM
Author: Catmom
I think there are ways of getting your point across without having to be rude about it and I''ve seen downright rude answers here that people get away with under the guise of ''keeping it real.''

+1

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Depends upon the post. Years back one member said we're too PC and she would use that mentality to attack people saying she had the right since this is the internet to relax when it comes to being PC. Really, a classy person would hold back what they say if there is ANY chance of offending someone. Just because we're behind a screen, doesn't mean someone should just blurt out cruel comments.

 

[HollyS]

Are we too PC? As Pricescopers?

Yes and no.

There is, and always has been, a prevailing and underlying vibe here. (This has nothing to do with the moderators, and everything to do with us, BTW.) You either ascribe to it or you don''t. You are recognized by whether you ''fit the mold'' or not. Now, this is true of nearly any group, any forum, anywhere. Birds of a feather, and all. There is nothing PC about cliques. Cliques have rules. So in that respect, no, we are not PC.

In an individual handling of a particular post, we often use kid gloves. At first. So we start out being PC, at any rate.

Now, if you''re talking about ''fully loaded'' issues with great emotion, sentiment, or passion involved in how we feel . . . far too many times we take the too PC route, lest we offend. As if we aren''t allowed our own opinion, based on our own experience, even if it is not someone else''s choice. Personally, I find that just ''numbs down'' real conviction, and makes us . . . less. Less passionate, less involved, less concerned, less informed, less motivated. Just less.

And it works that way IRL as well.

 

[Maisie]

I don''t think there is anything wrong with being PC. I prefer politeness and courtesy and respect. There are a handful of PS''ers who come over as very snarky and unkind. There are ways of saying things and giving your opinion. You don''t have to be out and out nasty to get your point across. It actually baffles me that people think this kind of posting is amusing or funny.

 

[Haven]

I think we often wear kid gloves when dealing with some issues, but then I see other threads where I think people are being a bit aggressive and not at all PC.

I responded in the thread about which jewelry people dislike in a way that might be perceived as being too PC. I quoted a poster who wrote that a certain size diamond is "gaudy" and said something along the lines of "Come on, can''t you express your opinion without calling names?" (That poster, by the way, did return and apologize for expressing her opinion in a way that might have been offensive.)

If that''s expecting people to be PC, so be it.

I think people should express their honest opinions. I also think there is a big difference between clearly expressing an opinion and expressing an opinion in a way that is inherently offensive to people who do not share your opinion. It''s the difference between saying "I don''t like large stones" and "large stones are gaudy."

Besides, it''s much more productive to express your opinions/beliefs/ideas in a clear, non-offensive manner because that way you don''t alienate your audience. You still get the point across, and people are much more likely to actually *hear* what you have to say because they aren''t distracted by getting all huffy and puffy about the *way* you said it.

 

[elrohwen]

I think there's a time and a place for being PC. I'm not particuarly PC with close friends, but I know them well enough to know they won't be offended. With people I don't know well, like most PSers, I try to err on the side of politeness. I don't see anything wrong with being polite - I don't think we have the right to say whatever we're thinking at the moment if saying it will hurt someone else. I save my un-PC comments for close friends.

 

[LilyKat]

I think it''s perfectly possible to say exactly what you mean in a considerate and sensitive way. Being honest and being respectful are not mutually exclusive.

 

[doodle]

I think far too many people misinterpret what it means to be PC. The idea of political correctness means that you seek to minimize offense pertaining to age, race, religion, sex, handicap, etc. It doesn''t mean that you must temper everything you say about everything lest someone be offended by it. Personally, I fear the slippery slope that has been created by such a strong emphasis on being politically correct. First, you can''t voice opinions that may offend for political reasons, then you can''t voice opinions that may offend for ANY reason, then you can''t voice an opinion, then you can''t have your own opinion. There''s nothing wrong with political correctness in itself, but the ways in which people misuse it can be scary. Far too many people cry "YOU''RE NOT BEING PC!" just because someone disagreed with them about something that doesn''t even remotely fall into the arena that PC references. It''s too often equated with politeness in general--someone can be rude without being politically incorrect, but a lot of people think they''re the same thing. Hrm, I think I''m starting to talk in circles--generally my cue to shut up!

 

[redfaerythinker]

I can''t be PC... it changes too often. I can''t describe a person''s looks because I can''t comment on their race because the name changes almost daily. I can''t comment on politics or religion. So I mostly keep my mouth shut.

As far as the idea of PC goes. I think it''s nice to try and be polite. But I think people spend far too much time and energy looking for reasons to be offended.

 

[PumpkinPie]

Date: 3/22/2010 1:08:13 PM
Author: Haven

I think people should express their honest opinions. I also think there is a big difference between clearly expressing an opinion and expressing an opinion in a way that is inherently offensive to people who do not share your opinion. It''s the difference between saying ''I don''t like large stones'' and ''large stones are gaudy.''


Besides, it''s much more productive to express your opinions/beliefs/ideas in a clear, non-offensive manner because that way you don''t alienate your audience. You still get the point across, and people are much more likely to actually *hear* what you have to say because they aren''t distracted by getting all huffy and puffy about the *way* you said it.

This - exactly!

 

[charbie]

I think at times people can be really PC. it is hard sometimes to really express yourself and have a great conversation over the internet. Often, so much gets lost in translation, and so you have to edit yourself a little bit to make sure your questioning isn''t trying to offend. And then what one person thinks is "PC" others don''t.

 

[jewelz617]

I think it's funny when people say they are PC but then try to call people out in a sneaky way.

Like doing that makes them any better.

IMO, if you want to be PC about anything, you really have to just say nothing. If you don't care, be up front and say what you have to say to the person in question. Being passive aggressive and cryptic isn't classy, it's just sneakier. And no, this is not directed to anyone at all, just a general observation.

On this topic, I had a coffee mug from TheOnion that said "Stereotypes are SUCH a time saver!" You wouldn't believe how many people got offended and took it seriously

 

[jewelz617]

Date: 3/22/2010 4:16:51 PM
Author: redfaerythinker
I can''t be PC... it changes too often. I can''t describe a person''s looks because I can''t comment on their race because the name changes almost daily. I can''t comment on politics or religion. So I mostly keep my mouth shut.


As far as the idea of PC goes. I think it''s nice to try and be polite. But I think people spend far too much time and energy looking for reasons to be offended.

I think people spend far too much time and energy looking for reasons to be offended.

This exactly.