Why are some so easily offended?
“Those who are easily offended should be offended more often.”
-Mae West
We’ve all been on both sides. We have offended and been offended. This week’s Daily Tip will discuss what we can do when we or others take offense.
People who are quick to take offense often get angry over little things, make a big deal out of small issues, take things the wrong way. They’re considered “high maintenance” by others who believe they have to walk on eggshells around them. In the extreme, hypersensitivity can rob people of their happiness.
It’s common these days to blame people for being over-sensitive. But the truth is, you never know about a person’s past. Dr. Leon F. Seltzer notes that, “You may have been humiliated by constantly being mocked when you were growing up. So if a friend or acquaintance playfully comments about your race, religion, height, weight, dress (frankly, it could be anything), then, as long as their remark reawakens an old defense against being ridiculed, you'll feel compelled to react negatively.”
In truth, most people don’t intend to be offensive. They’re either insensitive (not considering the impact of their words) or “they simply don't know enough about the other person's history to predict what words or actions might disturb them.”
All this week, the Daily Tip will provide strategies for communicating when people are offended (even if that person is yourself), but for now, just keep in mind that:
People who push others' buttons are not always doing so intentionally or consciously.
People might not know they've offended someone without realizing it until later or when the person brings it to their attention.
People are often particularly sensitive to what they presume to be criticism, abuse, or neglect.
Tomorrow’s Daily Tip will discuss three things not to do when dealing with someone who has taken offense to something we said.
