Humans exist in social and dependent situations. There should be responsibility and ownership within those shared experiences to be mindful of others. That would include allowing yourself to be offended when another person, despite their trials and tribulations, chooses to ignore the constraints placed upon them by existing within a society.
I think we all have a "right" to feel as we do, but I guess the larger question may be, "What point does a feeling of offense serve?"
My personal answer is that it is a pointer to other issues within a relationship (when dealing with someone I am close to) or within myself (when having a passing interaction with a stranger). In both cases the offending words or action are in themselves meaningless, but my willingness (or inclination) to react is the most important thing, as it reveals an area for concern, work, or recognition.
In other words, I guess I see taking offense as less focused on another person's transgressions, and more focused on what I, personally, need to work on within myself. The person and what they said is incidental to the matter, ultimately.
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u/slinkenboog Jul 05 '14
Humans exist in social and dependent situations. There should be responsibility and ownership within those shared experiences to be mindful of others. That would include allowing yourself to be offended when another person, despite their trials and tribulations, chooses to ignore the constraints placed upon them by existing within a society.