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What wrong with it? When i see that term used by a person of the general population, its usually done by a person of the majority who is searching for an excuse to usurp the rights or generally accepted courtesies of people in a perceived minority group.

Politics is politics and has certain rules to abide by, thats what I define as political correctness.

When we sit at dinner at a friends house we attempt to respect their values. Should it be an insult to have visitor correctness?

Of course the term has been used as sarcasm or insulting for recognizing certain rights afforded all but seemingly not deserving of some.

Ahso!;1279741 wrote: What wrong with it? When i see that term used by a person of the general population, its usually done by a person of the majority who is searching for an excuse to usurp the rights or generally accepted courtesies of people in a perceived minority group.

Politics is politics and has certain rules to abide by, thats what I define as political correctness.

When we sit at dinner at a friends house we attempt to respect their values. Should it be an insult to have visitor correctness?

Of course the term has been used as sarcasm or insulting for recognizing certain rights afforded all but seemingly not deserving of some.


The term "Political Correctness" is used extensively in the media, television, magazines, newspapers and even in cyber world.

Political correctness guides us plebs so we can speak and act without giving offence to anyone or anything, and without the need of actually doing any thinking or soulsearching about issues ourselves.

I shall always be non PC. Sometimes my views correspond with the "correct" mainstream, cleaned and polished view, sometimes they don't. But I'll do my own thinking, thank you.

At work I have to be PC.

On my time that is a different story.

I like to think for myself & decide how I will deal with things:-6

Fair enough, mrsK.

:-6

But haven't we always had PC? The 'norm' so to speak?

It was (until Twiggy) PC to wear hats and gloves, it was PC to give up your seat on a tram. People didn't swear in public. It was PC to talk with a Plum in your mouth. It was PC not to make insulting racial comments 'in the company of others'.

None of these things required free thought. It was just the done thing to do.

Political correctness is often viewed as some kind of political movement, but really most of the time it's private businesses that are behind it.

I think they realized that if you insult or alienate 1% of 300 million potential customers, you can lose a lot of money. In part it's good marketing to throw in a token female or non-white person in an ad now, or use demographic terms that are least offensive. Or if co-workers are insulting each other, the productivity goes down. The bottom line is money.

Also politicians realized the same thing in terms of getting/losing votes. Although more often, they tend to inflame differences to get votes. Some use the most inflammatory rhetoric possible, exploiting tribal divisions, to agitate people enough to vote. Then they attack critics of their choice of language as PC thought police. Somehow they end up the victims.

I've always been PC, "pretty cute."



Im with you, MrsK. :-6

I balk at the adjective "politically". I don't like associating politics with my social interactions.

Can't the term be called just "politely correct"?

along-for-the-ride;1279814 wrote: I balk at the adjective "politically". I don't like associating politics with my social interactions.

Can't the term be called just "politely correct"?I like that!

along-for-the-ride;1279814 wrote: I balk at the adjective "politically". I don't like associating politics with my social interactions.

Can't the term be called just "politely correct"?


Many of the current terms have been enacted politically, thus POLITICALLY CORRECT.

AussiePam;1279749 wrote: Political correctness guides us plebs so we can speak and act without giving offence to anyone or anything, and without the need of actually doing any thinking or soulsearching about issues ourselves.

I shall always be non PC. Sometimes my views correspond with the "correct" mainstream, cleaned and polished view, sometimes they don't. But I'll do my own thinking, thank you.


I'm with you on this one Pam...PC to me is a bunch of BS!

fuzzywuzzy;1279775 wrote: But haven't we always had PC? The 'norm' so to speak?

It was (until Twiggy) PC to wear hats and gloves, it was PC to give up your seat on a tram. People didn't swear in public. It was PC to talk with a Plum in your mouth. It was PC not to make insulting racial comments 'in the company of others'.

None of these things required free thought. It was just the done thing to do.


All of your examples except the last were purely a matter of cultural conformity, nothing to do with PC. The last is simply untrue, "others" were insulted left right and centre (especially within earshot) and nobody batted an eyelid.

Also politicians realized the same thing in terms of getting/losing votes. Although more often, they tend to inflame differences to get votes. Some use the most inflammatory rhetoric possible, exploiting tribal divisions, to agitate people enough to vote. Then they attack critics of their choice of language as PC thought police. Somehow they end up the victims.


One of the tricks the BNP are using to try and grab power. :-1

AussiePam;1279749 wrote: Political correctness guides us plebs so we can speak and act without giving offence to anyone or anything, and without the need of actually doing any thinking or soulsearching about issues ourselves.



I shall always be non PC. Sometimes my views correspond with the "correct" mainstream, cleaned and polished view, sometimes they don't. But I'll do my own thinking, thank you.
Aw I dont see much evil in the PC crowd. They mean well. All they are trying to do is put everybody on a level pegging. Sometimes they go too far, but there it is.

Raven;1279959 wrote: Aw I dont see much evil in the PC crowd. They mean well. All they are trying to do is put everybody on a level pegging. Sometimes they go too far, but there it is.


What a bunch of spastics, eh?

Basically I see the PC Brigade as referees' of modern society. Someone needs to call check when others feel their right to hurt and humiliate over-rides the other persons right to NOT be hurt and humiliated.

Reality checking...HELLOOOO! We live in a multi cultural society where we need to learn to get on with those who have differing viewpoints than ours. You cant say you live in a tolerant society if the people in it are not tolerant of others. And for those who think being PC is rubbish, then go try and live somewhere that isnt, say Yemen or N. Korea. Even China. Iran is trying to work it out, so cant include them anymore. Then see how quick they beat it back to good 'ol PC land! :rolleyes:

PC is generally not a bad thing, it means that a society we need to take into consideration the feelings and views of others. This is primarily relevant to business, TV or any media.

When PC becomes a bad thing that annoys people is when PC goes to the level where people cannot speak their minds freely without every word being scrutinized or twisted.

For example, I heard this but am not sure if it is true, In Canada in the government offices you are not allowed to give ‘Christmas’ cards, you can give cards that say ‘Seasons Greetings’ or ‘ Happy Holidays’, but you can’t say ‘Merry Christmas’ as in fear of offending those who do not celebrate Christmas.

That is PC gone mad.

mikeinie;1280259 wrote: For example, I heard this but am not sure if it is true, In Canada in the government offices you are not allowed to give ‘Christmas’ cards, you can give cards that say ‘Seasons Greetings’ or ‘ Happy Holidays’, but you can’t say ‘Merry Christmas’ as in fear of offending those who do not celebrate Christmas.

That is PC gone mad.


No, it's quite reasonable. You can't have representatives of a government department in a multicultural society wishing goodwill to all on the occasion of the Birth of the Redeemer of Mankind any more than it can bless them in the name of Vishnu the All-Powerful or warn them of the consequences of failing to pray five times a day.

spot;1280272 wrote: No, it's quite reasonable. You can't have representatives of a government department in a multicultural society wishing goodwill to all on the occasion of the Birth of the Redeemer of Mankind any more than it can bless them in the name of Vishnu the All-Powerful or warn them of the consequences of failing to pray five times a day.


I agree. Even Christmas is two (or more) holidays rolled into one. One is the gift exchange with Santa and the Christmas tree. The other is Jesus' historically inaccurate birthday. I suspect between the two, most people are really celebrating Santa-mas. But Christians might not like a card with Santa on it.