The last line of the previous post is a perfect example of which we speak here. "I think that anything not intended to cause offence should be taken in the spirit it was intended..." It is difficult to know how something I say in jest, not meaning any offense at all, will be interpreted by those hearing my words. Indeed if I say something to two people, one may be offended and the other may see it as a joke.

I do remember one incident in my younger years I will admit to. I was in the Army, stationed in Seoul, Korea in 1969. We had a group of Korean soldiers(KATUSA) that were assigned to our unit. A fun loving group of guys whose command of the English language had vastly improved since their assignment to us. The Seargent in charge of the KATUSA and several of us GI's decided it would be fun to teach some of the new incoming KATUSA some new English which they could use. Several days later when our 1st Sgt and CW2 arrived for the start of the day they were "honored" to be met by the new Koreans troops greeting them with such phrases as "Kiss my a**", "Go to hell", and "Your mother wears combat boots", which they had been taught in our late night lanquage course as meaning Good Morning, How are you, and Is there anything you want me to do for you. The powers that be suspected who was behind it, but were never able to pin the act on anyone so no punishment was meted out. I'm sure the statute of limitation has run out so it is safe to tell this now. ;)