# Would you find this offensive? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 12, 2012, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-find-this-offensive/621705 "2012-05-12T16:50:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-find-this-offensive/621705/21 "2012-05-12T22:40:30Z")
Not offensive . . . unless the recipient’s name actually is Gertrude or Nellie. Actually, too bad you can’t actually insert each person’s individual name. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-find-this-offensive/621705/22 "2012-05-12T23:20:22Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > …without a name it is harmless, it is no longer in-your-face personal. I think this gets at the core of the matter. In some way, using a name – any name – moves if from the general “here’s some information that might be helpful to you” mode to the personal level. It’s like we subconsciously identify with the addressee instead of just processing the message. If you can say Nellie or Jethro is behind the times/stupid/whatever is being made fun of, you could make digs at me, too. ☹ Just the facts, please. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-find-this-offensive/621705/23 "2012-05-13T00:33:01Z")
Not nearly as offensive as, say, using “impact” as a verb. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-find-this-offensive/621705/24 "2012-05-13T02:11:47Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Not nearly as offensive as, say, using “impact” as a verb. 😉 So using a name as discussed impacts less than verbing a noun? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-find-this-offensive/621705/25 "2012-05-13T02:57:12Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Not nearly as offensive as, say, using “impact” as a verb. 😉 Hardy Har Har. 🙂 mmm ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-find-this-offensive/621705/26 "2012-05-13T04:03:43Z")
> [@The\_Lovely\_Margo\_Lane](#): > > I clicked “offensive” but was on the fence with “other.” I don’t think it rises to actual offense, but it does feel like a sneer. Good-natured hassle like this among friends is fine, but I don’t like being talked down to at the office. Especially over something as inconsequential as this. Yeah, it’s a sneer. A city worker writes a chatty newsletter every month, which is sent out with the utility bills. Below the title she includes “_News you should, or just might, want to know_”. Besides being clumsy and unnecessary, I think it’s patronizing, but I haven’t been able to figure out how to explain to her why I think it sounds that way. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-find-this-offensive/621705/27 "2012-05-13T04:46:57Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > A city worker writes a chatty newsletter every month, which is sent out with the utility bills. Below the title she includes “_News you should, or just might, want to know_”. Besides being clumsy and unnecessary, I think it’s patronizing, but I haven’t been able to figure out how to explain to her why I think it sounds that way. No matter how nice she thinks she is being here, she is specifically and literally telling people what they should want to know. I don’t need her – or anyone else – to tell me what I should want to know. It’s presumptuous, bossy, and condescending. She can believe all she wants that it’s just fun, friendly, and lighthearted, but it _still_ comes across as presumptuous, bossy, and condescending. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-find-this-offensive/621705/28 "2012-05-13T16:58:00Z")
Not offensive but unnecessarily snarky. Like **QtM** said, I’d probably toss your message and subscription after that, just because it strikes me as unprofessional. Who needs that aggro? ---
**Author:** ![Bozuit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/edb3f5/32.png) [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-find-this-offensive/621705/29 "2012-05-13T17:20:32Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > No matter how nice she thinks she is being here, she is specifically and literally telling people what they should want to know. I don’t need her – or anyone else – to tell me what I should want to know. It’s presumptuous, bossy, and condescending. She can believe all she wants that it’s just fun, friendly, and lighthearted, but it _still_ comes across as presumptuous, bossy, and condescending. I really don’t think I’d take it that way myself. To me it just sounds like she’s bigging up the newsletter a little bit, and advertising is always effectively telling you what you “should” think or do. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-find-this-offensive/621705/30 "2012-05-13T19:22:02Z")
Put another tick in the, “It’s not offensive, but also not a great idea,” column. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-find-this-offensive/621705/31 "2012-05-13T19:52:37Z")
I don’t find it offensive but I can think of several people who would, especially if you insert their name right in the article. Clever, but I would steer away from it. Rather, I suggest: “Hey [name], guess what? This is the first totally electronic issue of our newsletter. Yep. I, the editor, have finally arrived in the twenty-first century!” That way, you are giving them the news but polking fun at yourself, not your audience. ---
**Author:** ![amaguri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-find-this-offensive/621705/32 "2012-05-14T16:31:50Z")
It took me a while to learn that many people have absolutely no sense of humor. And of those people who do have a sense of humor, many of them do not enjoy humor of the sarcastic variety. So, while I think there is nothing offensive about your message at all, I would agree that it’s probably in your best interest to rewrite it. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-find-this-offensive/621705/33 "2012-05-14T19:15:21Z")
Not offensive but a little insulting. ---
**Author:** ![Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/278dde/32.png) [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runs_With_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-find-this-offensive/621705/34 "2012-05-15T05:49:09Z")
It’s not offensive at all. Unprofessional? Yes. Disrespectful? Completely. Would I send something like that? Never. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-find-this-offensive/621705/35 "2012-05-15T16:50:22Z")
I think the problem is that the subset of people who will actually be wondering “Where is my paper copy?” are very likely the same people who would find that offensive. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-find-this-offensive/621705/36 "2012-05-15T18:47:05Z")
I voted not offensive but, upon further consideration, I’m going to change my vote. At first, I thought the was a company newsletter for internal purposes. As such, sure. Go ahead and be funny and fuck 'em if they can’t take a joke. But this is going to your customers, right? I, personally, wouldn’t find what you said offensive to me. But I’d find it grating that you’re trying to purposely offend your customer base. Like was said above, it’s not me that’s entering the 21st century. It’s you. ---
**Author:** ![dngnb8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@dngnb8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dngnb8)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2012, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-find-this-offensive/621705/37 "2012-05-15T18:50:56Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > In another [post](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651544), I asked for help coming up with a fictional name to address (in a comical way, I thought) a potential group of people who may question a change I am making at work. This is copied from the linked thread: > > To my great surprise, a Doper found it offensive. > > It had not even occurred to me that this might offend. My intent was to be (arguably) humorous, not to offend (and honestly, nobody will really care much about the change). Anyway, if many feel similarly to Oak, I will reconsider my wording. I’m willing to be wrong about this, but I am interested in getting more opinions. > > mmm Youre representing a business I believe and your remark may be interpreted via a sarchasm, rather then a sarcasm. I would ask what the history of the paper is in context of humor directed at the general populace. I understand what youre saying, but that doesnt mean they will appreciate what you say ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-find-this-offensive/621705/38 "2012-05-16T18:18:23Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Yep–“sneer” is a good way to describe it. Humor like this works best when it’s self-deprecating; if some nameless schmuck at a newsletter is mocking me for what he imagines me saying, I’d want to tell him to kiss my ass, and I’d not read any further in the newsletter. > > It’s not horribly offensive, but it is kind of obnoxious. This - “offensive” isn’t exactly the word I’d use, since I would not take personal offense at it being the paperless sort in every way possible, but LHoD captures my sense of the tone perfectly: you’re mocking me, the reader, for an imagined viewpoint. It’s clear from the context that it’s intended to be a fictional third person being addressed in the second person, so it gets ratcheted down from “insulting” to “obnoxious”. If you wanted to be obnoxious without being as insulting, you could turn it around into a more self-deprecating parody than one directed at the reader. \*NOTE: I was all set to send this newsletter both electronically and via its usual paper distribution, when something that looked like a giant green recycling bin with wheels and tentacles rolled in and hauled off all the paper. It threatened me with a bamboo stapler and threw an Earth Day t-shirt at me, which was sized too small. I don’t want it to come back again, so this and all subsequent newsletters will be distributed electronically only. \* ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-find-this-offensive/621705/39 "2012-05-16T18:35:06Z")
Offensive - in that it is confrontational and patronizing and unprofessional. In a business setting it would be better to extol the virtues of modernizing and “green” advancement by publishing an online newsletter, and do it in a positive way. There is no need to assume that anyone would reject the change. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2012, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-find-this-offensive/621705/40 "2012-05-16T18:59:56Z")
Is this a free newsletter to company employees? How about something like this instead? Q: What happened to the paper newsletter? A: As many businesses are discovering, paper publications are both hard on the environment and expensive. In the spirit of being “green” and saving the company money, we are changing the newsletter to electronic format only. You will receive the newsletter in your e-mail automatically, or you can visit (site) for complete archives of this and future issues. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-find-this-offensive/621705.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-find-this-offensive/621705.md?page=3)