Political Correctness going mad.....again?

Question

Wisecracks about being "over the hill" and "past it" are no laughing matter for workers at South Gloucestershire council, who have been told age-related jokes could constitute discrimination or even harassment.

In a memo sent to the council's 10,000 staff, personnel chief Paul Scrivener warned: "Even sending a colleague a birthday card that says they are 'over the hill and past it' could be taken as ageist behaviour. This is not just a phase the council are going through, it's the law which means you will be liable for any comments or action you make or do that someone may find ageist and discriminatory."

Why do we keep saying that you couldn't make it up?

Answer 1

When did we loose our sense of humor, our ability to laugh at ourselves once in a while, enjoy a joke with friends, and not take life so seriously?

There are those that take somethings way over the line of decency and the words are cruel. But as a society we are just going way too far the other direction. Sorry but I just don't get that offended by certain things. I'm going to stop now before I get on my soap box...this is a major pet peeve of mine.

Answer 2

I'd imagine that Paul Scrivener is going to be getting a lot of (probably anonymous) birthday cards suggesting that he is suffering from 'marble deficiency syndrome'.

The serious point in this is the phrase 'that someone may find ageist and discriminatory'. Instead of having to prove INTENT on the part of the sender of the card (ie a deliberate action of the person to cause harm), this relies entirely on the paranoid speculation of the receiver of the card. Does this sound familiar? It was the basis of many witch accusations.

Perhaps in the interests of fairness and to ensure there is no discriminatory bias the council could introduce yearly competency tests for all their staff so that there is objective evidence of who is 'over the hill'. Otherwise they could be accused of being discriminatory by maintaining posts simply on the length of service rather than demonstrable competence.

Presumably cards which acknowledge the gender of the receiver have long since been banned.

There is an opening in the market here for local government birthday cards produced in tones of grey which state that according to the register of Births, Deaths and Marriages today is the anniversary of the recipient's birth. Or maybe these would be mistaken for grave stones.

Answer 3

This culture of banning things or setting guidelines to ensure nobody is offended (not to mention the health and safety brigade) are all driven by the compensation culture, which is driven by people (hupersons or humans). You don't find this political correctness gone mad in other countries, where the compensation culture is in its infancy or even non-existent. These rules have to be set and enforced so that there is no future claim. As you know, humans are all money grabbing animals who will jump on the chance of getting a few quid by claiming something unfair happened to them. We only have ourselves to blame for todays political correctness thing. If we all agreed that nobody can claim for minor silliness left, right and centre then I'm sure this banning culture and related political correctness would also stop within months.

Answer 4

Unfortunately British society is removing risk and replacing it with litigation. Children - playgrounds and conkers; older people - any ageist remark, action or inference; Fire Brigade - not allowed to use a ladder to unravel a flag, etc., etc. The elf 'n safety brigade have taken over.
I have just been collecting for Poppy Day. We now have specific instructions that we are not allowed to pin the poppy on someone's coat. So an older person with bad eyesight or arthritic hands must struggle on their own (and have more risk of pricking themselves).
Nanny State?? No - Big Brother.

Answer 5

People need to get a freaking life! Everyone wants to sue for retarded a s s reasons. I think I'm going to sue the next person who gives me a thumbs down on Yahoo! Answers for harassment.... lol.

We are truely living in a time where people just cannot take jokes. Our money-hungry, politically correct, Christian, high power society cannot take a joke! It's insane!

A joke is a joke. Now, saying one is "over the hill" is just a rite of passage to me, it's not discriminitory at all, it's just someone poking fun and joking around. Now, if you were to say that n!gger or honkey is over the hill.... that's discrimination.

Answer 6

Yes this political correctness is getting a bit much,why just the other day i was reading Agatha Christies "Ten Little Niggers",chuckling to myself,having a good read when a gay office colleague complained about the title.Bugger me! i exclaimed it's only a book(some people just can't see the "funny" side of discrimination).

Answer 7

Political Correctness is a Desease of the Mind, Like many forms of "Mental Illness" it causes mayhem for the sufferers and those that are infected by it , this particular form of Mental Illness is of great appeal to those that are obsessed with "Controlling" all and those that they come into contact with , they continually "Think Up" new ways to extend their control over all and sundry . We have a Government which is obsessed with Controlling and suppressing the Population , Banning Freedom of Expression , Thought and Activity. Town Hall Bullies and Local Authorities are Infested with "Political Correctness" using it in all it,s Madness to gradually "Destroy" Society. this Tradedgy will contnue to manifest itself unless we take a very firm stand against it - I t will change the face of society and turn Great Britain into a Living Nightmare .

Answer 8

It's all so mind-numbing isn't it? You can't say things that nobody ever finds offensive just incase somebody comes up with the brain wave that it's a joke that somebody might find offensive??!!! It makes no sense at all. The world's disappearing up it's own bottom. Ooops, shouldn't say that incase somebody takes offense at the word bottom.

Answer 9

I'm fed up with all the political correctness. yes, I'm a wrinkly,over the hill old bag, and any other name you can think of that I can't, because I'm old.There is only one thing you can't call me, and thats late for tea.There was a time when we could laugh over here. I'TS GONE AND I DON'T LIKE IT. SO HEY YOU BLOODY ONES WHO ARE GIVING US ALL THIS HASSLE STOP.

Answer 10

To people just starting to get into the older years of their lives, these jokes AREN'T funny. It's fine if you want to make this joke with a close friend, but offensive jokes have no place in the workplace.