Lets kill political correctness and bring back Proper etiquette.

Political correctness (PC) - the avoidance, often considered as taken to extremes, of forms of expression or action that are perceived to exclude, marginalize, or insult groups of people who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against.

Etiquette (/ˈɛtᵻkɛt/ or /ˈɛtᵻkɪt/, French: [e.ti.kɛt]) is a code of behavior that delineates expectations for social behavior according to contemporary conventional norms within a society, social class, or group.

I'm not really quite sure where to start with this and I thought about maybe posting it in political madness but decided here was more appropriate. Political correctness is something we or most have all come to know more and more these days while etiquette seems to be something that so many have forgotten or abandoned. As a member of a fringe minority demographic I often find myself and members of my little group often defended or defending ourselves using political correctness while lambasted by those who disregard any sense of courtesy or etiquette all while claiming PC is ruining this country.

All that being said I would like to say that I am no fan of PC myself and think that there are clear differences between PC and proper etiquette (PE) with one being what should be the standard and the other a kind of fad used by a very liberal, progressive and aggressive type that seek to silence or shame anyone who does not agree with them. While PE has always been around which varies regionally, adapts and changes with society as a whole as time passes.

To me it seems as if the key difference is that PC implies that you have to think a certain way and you are wrong if you don't because "we" say you are whereas PE is really more of an expectation of a decent and civilized behavior as held by the standards of a given society within common shared space. You see with PC people feel attacked and when attacked people lash out in defense of what they believe in, which I think just divides the gap even more with so many people on opposing sides of issues. With PC you feel forced to think or act a certain way but with PE you act in accordance with what is expected of you because you want to because it is the right thing to do as a member of your society or community for that matter.

Basically it boils down to being allowed to feel however you want about any particular issue with your right to express that opinion legally protected. That being said one should understand that it is in all of our best interest to put our best foot forward in the name of civility and basic courtesy PE. For example If I invite you to my home for a get together and you arrive and realize that you do not like a few of my guests and decide to be rude or vocal about it I am going to ask you to leave in the name of PE because anyone under my roof has my guarantee of a warm and welcoming environment free of fear from harassment or ignorance. Another more common example if out shopping and we pass one another and you do not agree with my right to exist and you verbally express that then I too will express that I think you are rude and carry on about my business. I will not sit there and argue with you about right or wrong or try to beat my opinion into you. No, I am more than happy to let you have your opinion and distance myself away from you and your views.

In short if you want to be an A-hole then go right on ahead and be an A-hole just don't cry about it when people call you out on being an A-hole. Don't whine and say "I'm tired of this political correctness ruing this country yada yada yada" instead understand that you may have expressed the wrong opinion in the wrong setting and have offended people. As for people that are so easily offended and seek to reform and convert all people of this green earth into thinking like you then please stop for all of us your just making the jerks want to fight and argue more. Just let them be jerks in peace and quite. I will throw an example of my non PC conformity with this as an example - gay pride parades please police your own and tell the guys that are dressed in thongs gyrating on one another in that one little section of the parade to stop. Its in bad taste for any two people of any gender, orientation or whatever to behave and dress like that publicly whether you have the right to or not. To be fair to all the media does have a tendency to focus on and exploit the more extreme aspects of any given issue or demographic to both make money and do thy masters bidding in swaying public opinion.

a reply to: RainbowPhoenix

I would like to see respect return. Respect for each other, children encouraged to respect their elders, have manners and we, as a world, bring back our collective humanity.

The PC movement is run by illiberal liberals. Says it all really.

Disrepectful parents at disrespectful job, in a disrespectful country, electronically raising disrespectful children.

We are screwed.



I think it's just a product of the diminishing quality of life in general, and the fact that it's no longer affordable for most to keep one parent home full time after inflation and crappy wage growth.
Being raised by the public "school"system isn't helping.

So kill the Liberals? Gotcha!

Exactly, respect for one another's right to exist free from abusive and oppressive behavior and treatment. We do not all have to agree but just remember to disagree with dignity and in a civilized fashion.

a reply to: NewzNose

How about Lets kill political correctness and take the gloves off.

Why be phony?

a reply to: RainbowPhoenix

Well it sounds so damned obvious when you put it like that.

Great thread and I'm pretty sure I agree.

I agree with everything you have said here. I often find that the best parental situations come from households with higher income as well as at least one parent having adequate time for the children and their developmental needs. I'm from probably about the last generation where spanking was still acceptable and man was I bad child I got spanked all the time lol.

a reply to: Mandroid7

If I'm not mistaken advocating murder of a certain group of people is in bad form and not proper etiquette sir. I assume you jest though out of frustration for lacking any real answer or solution to the problem.

a reply to: dashen

The gloves are now off *slaaaap*




What say you sir, a duel perhaps?

In all seriousness though case in point at one point in time it was perfectly acceptable to glove slap someone and challenge them to a duel over differences...now eh not so much. Thats how Thomas jefferson went out for those who may not have known.






a reply to: xuenchen

a reply to: RainbowPhoenix

I think you mean Hamilton whose son had died in the same place with the same pistols if I remember correctly.

When I first heard the term "PC", I was under the impression it meant to have manners and still do. I see others use the "non-pc" argument to inflict their opinions on others. If that isn't the purpose of being "Non-PC", then I'm confused because thats all I see.

If the "Non-PC crowd" ever wants other side to understand their stance. I would suggest stop coming off snarky, rude, and condescending all the time. ATS has a lot of people in the "Non-PC crowd", and not saying all apply to what I just said. But, the majority here come off as I just explained in my opinion.

a reply to: RainbowPhoenix

proper etiquette sounds right that should include good humour, especially posting around here. So often you get more insults than information, I've just come from a thread where one poster was telling me what I was thinking, then proceeded to tell everybody else what I was thinking..WTF..the idiot.
A bit of non PC between friends is completely harmless, and often a sign of friendship, can be hilarious and no harm done.

a reply to: RainbowPhoenix

I think I agree with pretty much everything you said. And I thank you for practicing what you preached so to speak. I appreciate that you expressed yourself with respect and consideration for all parties.

For me -- and I think for many -- the problem is when the force of law is used to force one's will on another. Whether it's one group using law to keep others from getting married, or another group using the law to demand they serve their wedding, or whatever the situation may be. As you said for yourself, we can walk away.

If we are going to use the law in that way, I would rather use it to reward -- and therefore promote and encourage -- good behavior.

a reply to: RainbowPhoenix

No I thought that's what you were trying to say.
You can't kill an idea only the person who thinks it.

a reply to: amicktd

You are confusing civility with political correctness.

One is decorum, the other is tyranny.

originally posted by: Morrad
a reply to: amicktd

You are confusing civility with political correctness.

One is decorum, the other is tyranny.

I think the "Non-PC" crowd are the ones confused. Agree to disagree.

Interesting thread. Id never thought about it this way, at first glance they are the same thing to me, but deeper down they are very separate.

Being polite is about simply going that little bit further about your day to make yourself and others feel more at ease and peaceful to a degree.

Being politically correct is about a standard that people should live by, in the environment they exist in to others.


You can be politically incorrect and get "out of it" by being polite and excusing yourself etc, or you can remain steadfast and stick to your politically incorrect state of mind and see where it leads - baring in mind that some politics based actions are not only simply "the way you should act/be/interact" but are also simply law (in regards to things like sexism, racism).

a reply to: Biigs

The distinction is clear and built directly into the phrase.

Amicability is always desirable and sometimes observed.

Political correctness is a belief that forceful coercion should be applied to suppress language.

Nothing "political" could ever be separated from violence or the threat thereof.