Simple rules:

1) If you are not trying to offend me, there is nothing for me to be offended at.

2) If you *are* trying to offend me... I ain't going to give you the satisfaction! In fact, I'll probably laugh at you instead, because you're an asshole.

So either way, I don't get offended. Simple, innit? *g*

It's an interesting question, Jeri, but it should be pointed out that a lot of people here are speaking of anger and offense as practically the same. In my book, they're not. No way.

It takes a fair amount to get me angry. It usually boils down to someone's blind stupidity. I've fired off a few stiff posts at people who just won't/don't/can't read what is put in front of them. But that's anger borne of frustration, not because I'm offended by their stupidity, let alone p-o-v. Offence can lead to anger, but it can also lead to sadness, pity, & a variety of other emotions. Just the same as anger doesn't have to be caused by offence. I get narked sometimes - I can't remember the last time I got offended.

Perhaps I'm being pedantic here, & making an over subtle distinction, but words are important. Number of times I've seen an argument because one word means two different things to two different people, & neither realises... {rollseyes} Words are important!

So what exactly were you getting at, when you said "culture of offendedness", Jeri? To me, a lot of what's been said is very much tangential to what I understand from the phrase (not that I'm knocking the discussion! *g*). If it's what I understood, then the simple application of rules 1 & 2 above would save a hell of a lot of unpleasantness in the world.

Now {snarls} how the hell do we drum that into all the blockheads of the world???!!! ;-) *ggg*