I have a reputation amongst close friends for being "the rudest man in the world". Amongst people I don't know well I appear a model of politeness and decorum.

My humour depends to a large extent on rudeness, but I never intentionally offend anyone. I am only rude to people I know well, who will not take offence.

On the rare occasions I have really offended someone it is usually when drunk, and it happens because in my cups I think someone is a bosom friend,(as you do when drunk) when really I met them 5 minutes ago.

On the Mudcat (in the Mudcat, whatever), you can assume (as Kendall seems to have done) That everyone knows and loves you, when really some people don't know you from Adam. George Bernard Shaw once claimed "There can be no guilt, without intent." While this is contrary to the legal rule that "ignorance is no defence", I think unless you meant to offend, no offence should be taken.