Okay Shambles. I repeat-if you don't want that compliment, leave it be.

I am labouring the point that often what may be intended as a compliment can be thought to be something else. That what are genuine compliments are often thrown back as being patronising or worse and what the effect of that is on someone who is honestly considers that their intentions were honourable.

I am suggesting that before there is any question of someone's post being labelled as racist or sexist etc, that they are given the full benefit of any doubt. And that such labels are only used (if at all) when there is absolutely no doubt about the intention and before we make total war upon racists in our 'responses to racism' etc - that we recognise that most of the battles will first and always be with ourselves....