What are people's views on this?

[Hobbit]

Stephen Fry made some good comments on his debate regarding political correctness.

In a nutshell, his message (quoting what others had said in the past) was "call me what you like, it is how you treat us is what matters".

Just because Stephen Fry is comfortable with that doesn’t mean the next person is. He is a very confident person, or that’s how he portrays himself, but what he’s happy with today might see him a manic depressive tomorrow. He’s bipolar. He could be happy with a nuclear war today but suicidal over standing on a ladybird tomorrow.

I don’t think using Stephen Fry, as an example, to bolster your argument is a good choice.

 

[Swango1980]

Just because Stephen Fry is comfortable with that doesn’t mean the next person is. He is a very confident person, or that’s how he portrays himself, but what he’s happy with today might see him a manic depressive tomorrow. He’s bipolar. He could be happy with a nuclear war today but suicidal over standing on a ladybird tomorrow.

I don’t think using Stephen Fry, as an example, to bolster your argument is a good choice.

It was more what he said, rather than who said it, to be honest.

But if you want to be offensive towards Stephen Fry, and offensive to those with bipolar, to discredit what he says, that is your choice.

 

[Burnsey]

It took longer than I thought it but I guess you were on holiday ?
Napoleon was not short.
Your posting of a crappy stereotype as some kind of fact just goes to show how deeply rooted peoples prejudices are.

There you go, attacking the man.

I wasn't away, I tend to ignore you.

You calling me a stereotype is hilarious, but expected.

I did not name the syndrome and did not know Napoleon. I simply added context to a thread about (sorry, dare not type a word in case it's considered offensive) something.

 

[Hobbit]

It was more what he said, rather than who said it, to be honest.

But if you want to be offensive towards Stephen Fry, and offensive to those with bipolar, to discredit what he says, that is your choice.

I have no intention to be offensive towards anyone with bipolar disorder, and there’s no where in my post do I decry his stance - quite disappointed you’ve taken that line to further defend your argument.

Let’s take the bipolar out of it and make it simple for you. What you might find offensive I might disagree with and vice versa. My point, which you seem to have missed, is the default should be don’t say something that someone else might find offensive - you seem to want to defend an offensive, to some, comment.

 

[Deleted member 35927]

There you go, attacking the man.

I wasn't away, I tend to ignore you.

You calling me a stereotype is hilarious, but expected.

I did not name the syndrome and did not know Napoleon. I simply added context to a thread about (sorry, dare not type a word in case it's considered offensive) something.

I think you need to slow down..... You posted a crappy stereotype..... Napoleon syndrome is a made up crock of . In doing so you continue to disseminate said

No one's attacking you, but your motive was clear , regardless of what ever you try and disguise, deflect or whatever your m.o is today

 

[3 jabber]

I have no intention to be offensive towards anyone with bipolar disorder, and there’s no where in my post do I decry his stance - quite disappointed you’ve taken that line to further defend your argument.

Let’s take the bipolar out of it and make it simple for you. What you might find offensive I might disagree with and vice versa. My point, which you seem to have missed, is the default should be don’t say something that someone else might find offensive - you seem to want to defend an offensive, to some, comment.

The problem today is that virtually whatever you say someone somewhere will take offence. So basically just stay silent.

What a fun world we live in...............

 

[Burnsey]

I think you need to slow down..... You posted a crappy stereotype..... Napoleon syndrome is a made up crock of . In doing so you continue to disseminate said

No one's attacking you, but your motive was clear , regardless of what ever you try and disguise, deflect or whatever your m.o is today

Well, if it is a made up crock of whatever, please explain that to us, rather than making it personal. My motivation is only clear to someone who takes it in a certain way, which demonstrates my point to absolute perfection.

You seem angry, so perhaps the syndrome is a thing?

 

[Swango1980]

I have no intention to be offensive towards anyone with bipolar disorder, and there’s no where in my post do I decry his stance - quite disappointed you’ve taken that line to further defend your argument.

Let’s take the bipolar out of it and make it simple for you. What you might find offensive I might disagree with and vice versa. My point, which you seem to have missed, is the default should be don’t say something that someone else might find offensive - you seem to want to defend an offensive, to some, comment.

Apologies. But all I did was simply mention a loose quote from Stephen Fry in an earlier post. It appeared that your were using his personality and his medical condition to explain why his point of view could be discredited. So, I was disappointed in your comment in doing that, to try and defend your stance, and it seemed very ironic. There seems to be quite a bit of spin to say that I'm doing that to you!?

But, I'm not sure you think I've been saying something that I haven't. At no point have I said anybody should be offensive. I agree that everybody has different sensitivities, so someone could genuinely say something that they feel there is no offense, yet the person they say it to may be offended. I've also said it is about context. Somebody could say "dwarf" or "little person" in a way that is clearly offensive, mocking in nature. Another could use those words in a completely non-offensive manner.

 

[Orikoru]

You really believe its ok if you see me in the street and say hello little person ?

He's not talking about you is he? He said 'little person' is the accepted correct term for people with dwarfism. You don't have dwarfism, you've said you are 5'2 or 5'3.

 

[Deleted member 35927]

He's not talking about you is he? He said 'little person' is the accepted correct term for people with dwarfism. You don't have dwarfism, you've said you are 5'2 or 5'3.

He used the (made up) quote

"call me what you like, it is how you treat us is what matters".

Not sure how that reads to you ....

Correct I don't have dwarfism, I'm just considerably below average height, does that matter? . Should I just toddle on when someone calls me Bilbo baggins or asks where snow-white and the rest of my crew are ?

 

[Orikoru]

He used the (made up) quote

"call me what you like, it is how you treat us is what matters".

Not sure how that reads to you ....

Correct I don't have dwarfism, I'm just considerably below average height, does that matter? . Should I just toddle on when someone calls me Bilbo baggins or asks where snow-white is?

This thread isn't about you, at all, but you've tried to engineer it so that it is, for some reason.

 

[Deleted member 35927]

This thread isn't about you, at all, but you've tried to engineer it so that it is, for some reason.

Far from it but if you have some worthwhile input or views then I'd love to hear them.

 

[BrianM]

Not sure how we got here from the start of this thread, but people need to take a step back and think before typing.
I'm sure if you know said person you'd just use their birth name

 

[irip]

People have always used differences to identify people, only those who make the comment know if they are trying to be offensive and only those who receive the comment know if they are offended.
I have a very good friend who is fairly short and he always gets comments from me about his height, he doesn’t take offence and I don’t aim to be offensive and he gives back plenty as well.

I wouldn’t dream of saying these things to someone I was not good friends with.

Does that make me shortiest? Or whatever the word is

 

[Orikoru]

People have always used differences to identify people, only those who make the comment know if they are trying to be offensive and only those who receive the comment know if they are offended.
I have a very good friend who is fairly short and he always gets comments from me about his height, he doesn’t take offence and I don’t aim to be offensive and he gives back plenty as well.

I wouldn’t dream of saying these things to someone I was not good friends with.

Does that make me shortiest? Or whatever the word is

No, I think hambugerpete is the shortest

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I am uncomfortable when entertainment, enjoyment and laughter is derived from those having a minority physical condition…and that is irrespective of the stated or asserted comfort of those providing the entertainment.

I am full of admiration for those such as Ellie Simmonds who have overcome the limitations of their physical stature to achieve great things - great personal achievements. I am somewhat ambivalent about those who exploit their physical condition to provide pleasure to others. As far as those who take the pleasure I’ll keep my thoughts on them to myself.

 

[Burnsey]

I am uncomfortable when entertainment, enjoyment and laughter is derived from those having a minority physical condition…and that is irrespective of the stated or asserted comfort of those providing the entertainment.

I am full of admiration for those such as Ellie Simmonds who have overcome the limitations of their physical stature to achieve great things - great personal achievements. I am somewhat ambivalent about those who exploit their physical condition to provide pleasure to others. As far as those who take the pleasure I’ll keep my thoughts on them to myself.

Completely agree, but the thread has become a platform for a smaller than average bloke to have a pop at everyone.

My drill sergeant was called Titch Almond. No idea what his first name was, but it wasn't Titch on his birth certificate. He was a small fella, but the best drill instructor on the planet at that time. Would he be known as that now - I expect not. He had no issue with the reference.

I'm ginger, so more afflicted than anyone but it's all about context and those who generalise just make it seem like a universal problem, which it isn't.

 

[Tashyboy]

Just one other thing.
Just coz you are offended don’t mean your right.

Completely agree, but the thread has become a platform for a smaller than average bloke to have a pop at everyone.

My drill sergeant was called Titch Almond. No idea what his first name was, but it wasn't Titch on his birth certificate. He was a small fella, but the best drill instructor on the planet at that time. Would he be known as that now - I expect not. He had no issue with the reference.

I'm ginger, so more afflicted than anyone but it's all about context and those who generalise just make it seem like a universal problem, which it isn't.

take a bow son and close the thread.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Completely agree, but the thread has become a platform for a smaller than average bloke to have a pop at everyone.

My drill sergeant was called Titch Almond. No idea what his first name was, but it wasn't Titch on his birth certificate. He was a small fella, but the best drill instructor on the planet at that time. Would he be known as that now - I expect not. He had no issue with the reference.

I'm ginger, so more afflicted than anyone but it's all about context and those who generalise just make it seem like a universal problem, which it isn't.

I have looked to answer the question posed in the opening post...and though I have read much of what has subsequently been posted, I choose to not comment on anything not specifically addressing the question - and that is much.

 

[Pin-seeker]

Completely agree, but the thread has become a platform for a smaller than average bloke to have a pop at everyone.

My drill sergeant was called Titch Almond. No idea what his first name was, but it wasn't Titch on his birth certificate. He was a small fella, but the best drill instructor on the planet at that time. Would he be known as that now - I expect not. He had no issue with the reference.

I'm ginger, so more afflicted than anyone but it's all about context and those who generalise just make it seem like a universal problem, which it isn't.

Short man syndrome?