Worried that I’m gonna have a ton of bricks coming my way, but I’ve just been feeling this way lately. Just had to say it. It’s quite a restricting feeling to have to watch every single thing you say and wonder if the way you phrased it is ok or not. Or whether it might offend somebody out there.
Even this post – I’ve been hesitating to write in case someone misinterprets this and think it’s ok to call people names. Some things are obvious no-nos and incredibly mean. I totally against hurting people. I know my values and what I stand for. And often when someone says something, I think about the intention. The intention is what is important as loads of people can pretend to be politically correct, but what they are thinking can be the total opposite.
But yeah, to have to constantly be on guard, is exhausting and sometimes even feels pretentious, which is why I love the down to earth incredibly funny Louis CK and in the 90’s – Seinfeld (my sister never quite got into it – she likes romcoms). Watching his comedy is the best way to de-stress. That and Downton Abbey marathons.
It’s also fun to be with family and all kinds of non-pc things spew out from the older folk horrifying us, but in an odd way refreshing, because of the unbridled honesty. We do alert them about it though and they feel conscious for just a while. And sometimes I wonder if I’m being too anal.
Perhaps it’s my age too, because I have been around during a time when the word ‘politically correct’ or ‘PC’ did not even exist. I think it only came into being around the time when I started working.
Please don’t be mad. Just wanted to share what was on my mind.
Hmmnnn, not sure what you are referring to, you are always kind to people. What I find amazing about the blog-o-sphere is the people who write outrageous things and then act distressed or shocked when someone calls them on it. There’s a gal who always writes about how badly she wants a job, yet is taking a vacation every other week. How can you expect to work and be on vacation all the time? The two do not go together.
I think comedians have the hardest job. It’s so hard to make jokes anymore without offending. In Singapore I find local comedian Kumar so refreshing. But yeah, there is always a line they shouldn’t cross. I just see the world changing quite in a bit in this area from my time in the 70’s-80’s & now. I think Gen Y won’t see this so much. For my parents, baby boomer/silent generation it must be hard though. They are even more politically incorrect than we are 😉 But it was a different era.
Oh wow. You seem to have written what has been on my mind for days. It truly is exhausting watching what you say all the time.
Gosh I am so glad I’m not alone. Never had this feeling of having to tip toe and second guess all the time. Only in this new era. Kinda miss our very un pc younger days. It’s also so weird that a time that was hip (they don’t even use that word anymore I hear) for us (the 80’s) is now revived and known as hipster 😉 And the 70’s is retro now…makes me feel old and at the same time so happy I was around during that time. Wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Yup, same here. Am that old too. 😉
Cool 😉 Like meeting fellow ‘oldies’. And your blog is awesome by the way.
Lol thanks! I decided a long time ago to blog bout stuff that makes me happy. Try not to write bout the things that make me feel down.
It’s such a refreshing space to visit and so nice that there are bloggers my age out there too :-)Had to add you to my blogroll so I don’t lose your blog address.
You inspired me to write a new post on my blog! It has been on my mind for some time as well and now it’s out… hope nobody gets it wrong though! My diplomatic self just wrote that 😉
You can see the post here, hope you like it: http://sofiasfirst.blogspot.co.at/2012/09/lets-be-honest-how-often-do-we-say.html
I’m excited to check it out Sofia 🙂
There are some issues where I’ve stopped trying to placate everyone. There are sometimes not two sides to a story, and one side is just plain wrong. On some issues, I’ve just stopped being polite.
so true. Tiresome the need to placate all the time.