Our club of about 45 members have a small circle of guys that get offended. They seem to be looking for anything for which they can take offence - and then attempt to create the greatest issue possible.
Offences range from someone’s proposal - to his omission of mentioning some person - or merely the choice of words used in a typical report. Other members are continuously apologetic, trying to appease and quell antagonistic outbursts of anger from these fellows.
I’ve heard it said that "one who is easily offended thinks more highly of himself than he ought." It might just be the geography - a southern pride attitude. We hear parents here in the south tell their kids, "Boy? You BE PROUD!" (as though that is a desirable attribute?) I would think it more appropriate to tell kids to have some humility. Generally speaking, I’ve not found it necessary to encourage pride.
Is it common for a number of folks within a group of people to assume a proud, stubborn attitude and be so contentious to everything - or is it just the society and upbringing associated with ‘Southern Pride’ in this region of the U.S.?’
I’m getting somewhat weary of folks continually called to be defensive and apologetic of every little non-issue that occurs several times in every meeting. Is this normal or typical human behavior? Perhaps it’s time to resign from this club?
What kind of club is this?
I’ve never experienced this exact thing in any of the groups I’ve associated with - tho all have had at least a couple of folk who were jerks, or uncooperative in one way or another.
Some people do seem to be born obstructionists - who value making every small action as contentious, unpleasant, and drawn out as possible. Following Roberts Rules or some other parliamentary procedure can help with those sort (tho folk can find ways to be obnoxious within the rules as well.)
If these are not the most senior members and/or officers, then I would expect the more senior/officers to tell them to cool it.
Are other members as tired of this as you? Can you just stay out of the decision-making part of meetings. Find some reason to come late or leave early? If not, and if this club isn’t hugely important to you, then yes, resigning sounds like an option.
Small circle of guys, you say?
All helping each other do something that makes themselves feel good? There’s a word for that!
Small cubs can sometimes be democracy at it’s worst. Everyone feels they should have a say. No thought goes unspoken.
People who are easily offended often like to share that fact with everyone else. Perhaps because they like the attention it brings, or because it lets them bond with others who feel the same way. If I find myself in their company I either keep my mouth shut and walk away, or tell them, in a polite way of course, to just get over it.
The world wasn’t created just to make them happy, or to remove everything that offends them from their sight. If they don’t like living where they live they have a real choice. To just complain about things and act offended all the time doesn’t change things for the better… whatever that means.