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So...I'm not sure how this works in other countries, but I notice that people in America are easily offended. Not all of course but I have come across many people in my lifetime who will get offended over the slightest things. It's to the point that some people will even be offended when you are trying to be polite. People even get offended on behalf of someone else that may or may not be offended.

I remember when I was asking a Chinese person about China and a person next to me that my question was really ignorant. I told them that it was ignorant which is why I asked the question in the first place.

people in America *people who are idiots which just so happen to make up a large portion of the American population

FTFY

@Ford

My god, you've gotten fat.

C- joke.
 

F.

Here's the thing about being [insert minority group here] -- depending on how often you have to deal with it, you can get kind of tired of other people's ignorance, however politely that ignorance is expressed. Which is not to say that people don't get offended out of proportion to the issue at hand... but it may be a case of that particular question or comment being the last straw.

Or possibly you're being more offensive than you realize. I'd be curious to know what you consider to be the 'slightest things'...

I hate when a few black people around me point every little thing as "racist".

I had asked the Chinese man, who as I said was born there, how strict people are with education. I'm already aware that value education greatly there, but I wanted more details.

That's when the person next to me claimed I was being rude. >.<

If the dude was actually from China then you didn't really ask anything out of line and the other person who probably didn't even know the whole situation was just being a white knight in an attempt to look like a beacon of tolerance.

That's really weird, since it's hard to see anything at all offensive in your question.

My exact words were, "Is it true that the parents in China are really strict about the education there?"

I'm going to assume that the lady thought I was trying to make a joke at the man's expense. He answered my question though and I didn't notice anything that would hint to being bothered.

She was probably a Tumblr user. Just ignore PC people or make fun of them, anything else is only benefiting them since you are paying attention.

I think that's the one that really bothers people, the "getting offended on someone's else's behalf." 

Do people really not get that that's also offensive-- that you're basically deciding that the other person needs you to step in and protect them from the potentially offensive question?

 

(Of course, you're allowed to be prejudiced and offensive in the name of tolerance.)

Yeah, people getting offended on someone else's behalf is the annoying one.

Anyway Danaos, didn't you say you were an Aspie?

Turn the tables around and when someone is saying you're being offensive, tell them they're being bigots for not understanding your condition of not getting certain appropriate social habits. When they try to defend themselves, just insist that they're being even more hateful.

Seems to work for everyone else.

I don't like to throw out that I have Asperger's just to defend what I said and I think that people who use it as a crutch are annoying. Besides, most people have a huge misunderstanding on what being an Aspie is, thus I don't bother explain it to someone I find intolerable.

^So true.

People (without Asperger's) usually put a stigma on people with Asperger's. They see the differences in behavior, but they rarely consider what makes us behave differently. I've had to live with that for the last 18 years of my life. It sucks and I think it is starting to make me bitter towards "normal" people. Still, I really try to avoid pulling the Asperger's card.

Well pulling the Asperger card, would put you in same group as Mousepaw. You don't want to be like Mousepaw (Not that I think she really had it anyway).

 

Nah, there is actually an IQ requirement to be diagnosed. :P

Umm...I just said I try not to pull it. I'll let everyone know I have it, but I won't ask for people's sympathy on the grounds that I have it. Of course, that has more to do with the what comes around goes around thing than actual pride or dignity. I know that if I start requesting that people treat me differently because of a handicap, then it will just come around to bite me in the ass. Really, I try to act like a normal human being. Does it work? Usually not.

And I really hope this post doesn't contradict everything I just said in it.

Fool! It's not a handicap.

I didn't really say it was. I meant that, if I did what Endmaster was talking about, I would essentially be accusing people of taking advantage of a perceived handicap. Of course, I can't really tell if you are joking or if you are actually calling me a fool. I seriously hope for the former.
 

I was joking. Had I been serious I may have gone into much more intricate name calling.

Okay. I would have never guessed you also had Asperger's, though.

Maybe not a physical handicap, but...

Eh, it has its goods and its bads. I'm not really sure handicap is an appropriate word, either.
 

Its good? Such as?

Increased focus and attention span. A lot of British code breakers during WW II were believed to have Asperger's. Some people with Asperger's are really good at finding loopholes in things and exploiting them.

So all Jews have Asperger's?

No.

But that describes them so perfectly...

Dare you to say that to Tan's face. ;P

Aspies have a greater ability to focus on something for long periods of time, thus are ideal employees to have. Capable of making plans efficiently, bad side is possible panic if said plan does not go accordingly. Aspies generally have an above average IQ, and extended vocabulary. Highly independent. Different ways of perceiving the world leads to innovative ideas harder to achieve by a neurotypical (sp?). There quite a few more benefits of it as well as disadvantages.

Ritualistic behavior is also another perceived disadvantage. There was this one story about a little girl with Asperger's who ordered a hamburger at a certain restaurant, and it always had to be made a certain way. If something was wrong with it, she would shut down completely, as she did in one case. When this happened, everybody was talking about how much of a spoilt brat she was because of it; they really pissed me off.

Of course, I don't eat hamburgers, but there are certain things I do that I feel compelled to do in a certain fashion. If something prevents me from doing these things in this certain fashion, I can't think at all. It's like my thought process just stops.

Well, unless those people knew her personally, you can't really blame them for acting that way. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference.

No, the story stated that she had Asperger's. The people commenting on it might have been ignorant as to what Asperger's was, but, still, it irks me to see people like that.They assume that, because they wouldn't do that, nobody else has any legitimate reason. It makes me furious, outraged, sick with anger.

Edit: The last part was just a Skyward Sword joke.

Calm down James, your Assburgers are acting up again.

This is definitely a personal attack. ^

How?

That's OCD

It occurs in people with Asperger's too.

Yeah but that also falls into the Aspie classification.

But its a separate mental illness

It is separate indeed but I wouldn't call it an illness. Anyway, the OCD similarities in Asperger's are only a  part of what classifies them as such. There are many other factors, OCD similarities is just one of them.

OCD is a mental illness. How can you not call it as such? XD 

Just my own view of things that I'd rather not get into with you at the moment.

But.... That's what the definition of mental illness is

Well, mental illness usually refers to any mental state that deviates from the normal standard, so, in a way, you are correct. But, I believe that Danaos  is referring to the stigma that is often associated with the term.

Basically that sums it up. I just didn't feel like debating definitions so soon after I came back.

Doesn't mean it's not a mental illness. XD 

and I can hear the argument for Aspergers, but OCD? In the stronger versions, it makes people hazards to themselves and others. It's not just wanting to keep your pencils in a specific order. (

Oh...my mistake then. I thought you were referring to Asperger's. I had actually recently had this woman talk at me about how I am handicapped, have a disability, and a major learning disorder so I'm probably still stuck on that. I haven't read into the major cases of OCD to know what they do at that level.

Don't worry, my now-ex-stepmother used to tell me that I would be living in a group home or imprisoned, if I didn't behave exactly like she wanted me to. Also, I've had a therapist say that I was a dangerous sociopath and a friend of my Dad used to always tell him that she thought I was severely mentally retarded. Also, a lot of people in school called me a retard when the teacher wasn't looking. They knew I couldn't do anything about it; the school staff treated me like I was retarded too.

I hope I'm offending anyone by asking this, but what is Aspergers? I've never heard of it.

It is a mild mental "disorder" falling on the autism spectrum. If you read the posts my Danaos and myself above, you will get a general idea of it. Basically, people with Asperger's are really focused, usually highly intelligent, take things very literally (usually, but some grow out of it), have ritual behaviors, and a bunch of other stuff.

I did read the posts above. I suppose a better way to put it is 'How do you diagnose aspergers (<--did I spell it correctly?) ? What makes it so that you could tell them apart from other people?'

Off the top of my head if a person: has repetitive movements or gestures that they constantly do our of habit or comfort, avoids eye contact or makes forced eye contact, has narrow interests that they beat to death with research and tell you everything about upon being asked, follows a specific daily routine and becomes frustrated if said routine is interrupted, is clumsy or uncoordinated, has an unusually high vocabulary for his/her age, appears to lack empathy, has much difficulty showing and expressing emotion, instead sees the 'big picture' as a collection of individual strokes, tends to over analyze something, has difficulty following simple instructions (usually due to over analyzing) they have symptoms of Asperger's.

I'm sure I've missed a lot but there you go.

Never heard of clumsiness being a symptom before.

Really I thought Tacocat had it considering she tends to take every literally on here, like James does. In fact James comes off as pretty emotional most of the time.

Danaos doesn't seem to have those symptoms though so it's going to differ from person to person.

If you knew me in real life, I have a few of those, but not all. Also I said Aspies had difficulty showing emotion (though I have read that Aspies are more emotional) and people constantly claim me to be 'robotic and monotone'.

I don't think I have it. I don't know though.

I don't know how to interpret that, but, yes, I am fairly emotional, some times. I try not to be, though.

Well, Taco's 12, so it's expected of her to take everything literally. You should be surprise that she is as coherent as she is, just base on her age. 

I don't really take things personally though. I messed around with coins a bit because usually he is quite hilarious when he tries to insult people. I took it a bit too far though and it got deleted.

I think self awareness is the symptom which makes people think they are clumsy cause they have f'd up emotions which result in self loathing. 

Self-loathing = clumsiness???

 

No, it just makes you think you are clumsier than you are when you are actually as clumsy as the average joe. The difference is that you look at it too much.

Ah. Vivid vocabulary, social awkwardness, focus on one particular subject, item, etc. Those are some things most commonly associated with Aspies.

Did you say what I just said but shorter?

He also left out a few things that you had. Thank you both though.

No, I posted first. Sorry if I offended you, thoughl.

He posted first, but your's came about a second after his.

Your's beneath his. ;P

What is that face anyway? It looks like it's winking and sticking out its tongue. Is that what it's supposed to look like?

Your question made me laugh. XD 

Yes, it's what you said it is. 

Okay. It just looks a bit weird. XD

Such as?

I'm not sure I want to tell you. :)

Oh come on, you already told me, and everyone almost everything. 

I'm not sure how to interpret that. Surely, I haven't told y'all everything. Either way, I guess I can tell you via PM. Would you like me to mark all my major arteries with a sharpie while I'm at it?

With a sharpie? xD

Being blind can increase your other senses, but it's still a handicap.

Um, no. It doesn't increase your other senses; it just makes you more attune to them. 

Close enough, ha ha. 

Did someone say 'physical handicap'?! IM OFFENDED! 

 

wait...no im not...carry on. 

nate

Hey there, Wheelchair! Jkjkjkjkjk

Lock.

Coins, my friends call me Wheels, speedy, speed racer etc...I use my wheelchair as conversattion when i am on stage for comedy. I love breaking down the PC crowd.

nate

I was worried you would take it the wrong way...

Oh, I didn't know you were...wheelchair-ed. Not that it's any of my business.

Born and raised James. Its no big deal. I dont like being 'teased' about it, but playful jabs from people I know dont bother me at all. its all good. 

nate

So, I assume it's a congenital condition or something you developed when you were really young.

Hopefully cybernetics and synthetic limbs reach a level of development to where you become a super man capable of Chuck Norris kicking anyone into another dimension.

I'm always like that.

@Danaos

Always like what?

"Chuck Norris kicking people into another dimension" is what I believe he is saying.

You're a demon on wheels, Fleshy ^_^

When I was a kid I had potential to develop aspergers. Does that allow me to make fun of you guys?

No. I'm not even sure you can "have potential to develop Asperger's". I'm pretty sure it's a hit-or-miss thing. Also, no, just no. I'm sure there are enough people unlike you for you to make fun of elsewhere.

I had signs!

Anyway, can I at least call you spergs or is that offensive?

Lol, I honestly don't care but I'm sure James might throw a fit.

EDIT: That sounds like an alien race. o_O

For future reference, don't assume you know how I am going to react. Since he asked, I honestly have no problem with him using the term "Spergs".

In general or cause of the question? What if I called you a sperg now, sperg?

I will honestly try not to take offense, unless you use it in a derogatory manner.

Meh, I don't like using it anyway. Aspie is shorter.

 No, it isn't. Sperg = 1 syllable. Aspie = 2.

Meh, it sounds better. And more syllables doesn't mean it is less letters. And yes, I know the letters have an equal numbers, that's not what I said.

You said it's shorter. Neither its letter nor its pronunciation is shorter...

Holy shit you can read! Well, you can partly read. Otherwise you'd see that I admitted it has the same letters.

Yep, and apparently better than you can count. :)

And how is that a big thing? I would hope that everyone on this site could read.

It doesn't matter what you admitted to. You claimed that it's shorter in the original post, and now you're attempting but failing to come up with a good explanation for your mistake. 

When did I attempt to cover up that sinful mistake of mine? I admit I was wrong. 

Seriously, people on the net try to make a debate out of everything.

I don't see where the argument is if he already admitted to his mistake. It's not like he's trying to cover it up or take it back.

"And yes, I know the letters have an equal numbers, that's not what I said."

He's right. That's not what he said. What he said was: "Aspie is shorter.", which is incorrect, and which he haven't admit to. 

"When did I attempt to cover up that sinful mistake of mine? I admit I was wrong."

He literally just said this.

It was after I called him out on it. 

Yeah and people can make mistakes. It was relatively minor and you are bloating it up without reason.

Welcome to the interwubz. Everyone's retarded.

I was going to ignore it, after he admitted to his mistakes, until you came in...You're the one who's continuing to drive this conversation. 

Hmm...sure, okay.

Well, the conversation is about Drako. I don't see why Danaos's interference should result in you continuing to harrass Drako, in my humble opinion.

James is right you know.

You should stop harassing me!

I was merely explaining to Danaos why I said what I said, since he wanted an explanation. I don't see how that is in any way "harassing Drako".  

Stop touching me there!

I was referring to the same post what you quoted was in.

Spergs is better than james... I like it :D

Shut up, you fat bovine asshole.

It's not the worst thing I've ever been called.

Hey now. No labeling, or name calling. 

Nicknames are fine though :D

Some don't consider it a slur.

What's a slur? 

It's words which mean the same thing as other words but are considered inapropriate for some reason. Like calling a Japanese man a Jap, a black guy a nigger, a Greek/Italian a wag.

Seriously though, they are derogatory terms.

Now, we don't 'preciate no racism 'round these parts.

or calling james a sperg :s but that's none of my business :3

An American a A-Can?

I just thought they called us a bunch of fat, racist dumbshits.
 

Or maybe, ya know, unlike 'Murika we don't have slurs.

I have a hard time believing that, given how quickly you were to use one on me and Danaos. That, and you seem very well acquainted with a lot of racial slurs.

Yes, in Greece we use American slurs :/

Because Drako...We! Are! Rome! America!

And we're the ones who get accused of stealing everyone else's accomplishments?

So :/ isn't enough? Or was that a joke? I really don't know what's the deal with you.

"I really don't know what's the deal with you."

Good. I'd be concerned if you did. Anyway, it was a joke.

I could tell it was a joke. Why would you be concerned if he could tell it was a joke?

That's not what I meant, TC.

Well, what did you mean then?

I meant that, sometimes, I like to be unpredictable.

Google Is mah answer.

 

People have to show off how tolerant they are. A lot of the time they could care less about whether the person is actually offended or not. I've seen people do things like scream at someone who referred a black boy as black because "calling him black was racist." People who do this care about how they appear more than the person they are defending. They use minorities to raise their self image. They are selfish creatures that would probably insult the very people they defended, if it was seen as right to do by society.

People also get primed to see things as offensive and discriminative. There was a study I learned about in a social psychology class where women were given a disfiguring scar made of special effects make up. They were all shown their appearance in a mirror. The experimenters then said that they wanted to do a few last minutes touches. Half the women had the makeup removed without their knowledge. The women were  sent out in public and videotaped for awhile. Both the women with the scar makeup on and the women without the scar makeup reported feeling discriminated against for the scar and that people stared at the scar.

Damn, that experiment sounds dope

I would say that this proves that people think anything you say is automatically offensive for themselves and others.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfNRO5-hUuc

WELL!

The moral of the story:

Only ask those questions if they ARE from said country, and only if they're not a stranger.

Personally, I don't get why most americans are so racist. Probably because their ancestors owned slaves, but that's besides the point.

And if they aren't racist, they're overly protective of other races.

WHAT'S UP WITH THAAAAT?

Why don't we just IGNORE their race altogether? Just treat them as another sentient being. Seriously.

Racist jokes are still ok with me, though.

The only people that I've met that are racist are all from Colorado, and that's one of three states that I've lived in. It's a stereotype that most Americans are racist. Supposedly, most of the slave owners were Christen (I mean no offense to Christens, or anyone else if they somehow take offense at this), but that doesn't mean that they're all racist.

I see no reason to be offended unless you intend to use it against Christianity. ^_^

I wouldn't ever do it on purpose, I put that in in case someone somehow got offended by that. Some people get offended by the smallest things, like in the first post up there.

I thought you were Christian, TC. Regardless, what does their religion have to do with the fact that they were slave owners? Or did I completely misinterpret that paragraph?

There are quite a few verses in the bible that mention slavery, ownership of slaves that is.

So far, about 30% of the Christians I've met are assholes....

The ones I have met in real life, are totally fine. They avoid debates but they are fine with everything else. 

They are occasionally irreverent, hypocritical, and falsely pious (like "oh, this tornado was really the best thing that could happen to us"). Still, occasionally, you'll meet a nice one. Of course, those people are probably nice by nature, not on account of their religious beliefs. Of course, I could be wrong.

I'm not sure about the slavery part. It's hard to think of any country in existence that hasn't had slavery at some point in its existence. Plus, this guy was from China, otherwise I would not have asked him.

Well, im just emphasizing that they may think their race is better, or something.

Actually, I have no clue what I just said.

I was probably hallucinating.

Can you reiterate the last paragraph?

I asked the guy who was from China how strict the parents are over there, as far as education goes. The woman next to me told me that I was being disrespectful and ignorant by asking that. I then told her that ignorance is simply not knowing something, which was the purpose of asking the question in the first place.

Contradictory statements are the best statements.

I dunno, it seems kinda odd to ask, "Hey, Asian guy, are parents strict in your homeland?" haha.

What did the Chinese guy answer?

He told me that strict education is just part of the culture there but it isn't as extreme as people make it out to be. He then said that if American parents were half as strict as a general Chinese parent, the kids would get in less trouble.

Because China isn't corrupt at all >_>

I love it. XD

Well hey, if the little girl next to you got repeatedly run over by a truck, you might wanna make your life worth just in case you're next...