Why do people get so upset when you ask a question with generalities and stereotypes?

Question

We all know that stereotypes don't apply to everyone. And we also all know that generalities don't apply to everything. What's the big deal?

How can you ask a question about the general public without making a general statement? That makes no sense to me.

Answer 1

I believe it's because there ARE people out there who believe in generalizing and stereotyping.

I know it's seems a lot of work for people to watch over everything they say, and it seems that we are walking on eggshells, but up until we are certain that bigoted people don't exist (that'll be about 395 years from next tuesday), we need to address our thoughts in a socially and politically correct manner, so as not to ourselves be generalized as prejudiced from the simple matter of mis-speaking (or just plain old being too lazy to think before we speak).

Answer 2

Well. I think by now most educated people would realize that stereotypes and generalizations aren't accurate as there are always exceptions. So from an objective point of view, they're just simply inaccurate statements whenever anyone tries to use them. It gets tiresome to have to point that out time and again, so some of the frustrations show up when dealing with these. Besides, if you know that stereotypes and generalizations aren't accurate, why continue to use them?

For a more intimate level, some stereotypes and generalizations reflect the level of ignorance (at best) and insensitivity and bigotry (at worst) of the speaker, especially when it's not clear (and even when it is) that the speaker is saying these things only jokingly. There is a lot of hurt and resentment built up by those who feel they've been mistreated which already put them in defensive postures to begin with, so to have some jerk coming along and start to throw insensitive or hurtful blurbs around just triggers the animosity underneath.

Answer 3

People become upset because they react without thinking. They react the way they think they should around others. If people really took a second to STOP and THINK, they would realize that words themselves are not offensive, the reaction people feel like they should have creates a feeling among others, a group reaction. In short, people are stupid.

Answer 4

Sometimes they just want you to be direct, assuming that it could be about them. Some people are not good with generalities and they don't understand what you might be talking about.

Answer 5

you got immature people out there....forget about it!!