I remember I was having a conversation with a buddy of mine about a movie and I said "That movie is retarded". A couple of minutes later some lady who overheard me comes over and tells me "That's very disrespectful of you to say Retarded, my son is Retarded", and I told her "Oh, well you just called your son Retarded so what's the problem". She walked away mad, but was I really at the wrong here?
2007-04-12 06:56:23 · 14 answers · asked by Enterrador 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Some people really are mentaly ill and for their family and friends to hear you use the word to show how bad you think the movie was, is, I imagine offensive.
2007-04-12 13:46:24 · answer #1 · answered by krrazzie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I still use that word to describe something I think is lame sometimes but I guess that's why it's offensive. It's like when people say that something is 'totally gay' when they mean "totally lame'. In a way, it's saying that being gay is lame. I know I grew up in the 80s when we called stupid stuff 'retarded' and never even though about actual 'retarded' people. I still think of the word as having more than one usage. The definition is slow, delayed, simple, dull- basically 'stupid'. Look it up, the definition isn't always referring to people since a program can be 'retarded' since it means 'delayed'.
Being 'retarded' honestly isn't a great thing and most people don't associate it with something positive. When you've got a kid that's 'retarded', suddenly the word takes on a new meaning to you and you only think of the child that you love. You forget that the word is part of the English language and can be used to describe something 'stupid'. That's why everyone wants to start calling 'retarded' people someone who is 'developmentally disabled'. It eliminates the negative part.
You were wrong to snap back at her, but she was overreacting a bit by telling you she had a 'retarded' child. She's got to understand that just because she has a child who is 'developmentally disabled', she can't just harass other people for using simple vocabulary words to describe something.
2007-04-12 14:11:04 · answer #2 · answered by Pico 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Retarded is just a word that means the opposite of advanced. It is used in scientific and mechanical contexts. It is as offensive to call someone retarded as it is complimentary to call someone advanced.
It should not offend anyone if you call an inanimate entity totally unrelated to them retarded.
But that's the thing about offence, it is determined by the offended. But I say, in this case, forget her. The movie sounds retarded.
2007-04-12 19:31:40 · answer #3 · answered by RED 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's the context. The movie cannot be retarded in the real sense of the word. So, yes, using it in that context is offensive.
If your name is Mike and everyone called everything found to be disgusting "Mike," eventually the word "Mike" used in that context would be offensive. The short form of Richard can be offensive or just someone's name.
2007-04-12 14:07:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You made a very insensitive comment. Instead of saying the word "retarded," you could have said "stupid" or "a waste of time." Instead, you chose to insult a group of people, who, through no fault of their own, are mentally challenged. Then, you insulted the mother of the mentally challenged son. This must be a red letter day for you.
You, my friend, need some sensitivity training.
2007-04-12 15:03:48 · answer #5 · answered by Lizzie 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
She was right to call you on that and I do the EXACT same thing when I hear someone saying that, and "that's gay", "I'm having a Alzheimer's moment". You are showing no respect for others with your language. There is a million words to chose from, why would you take a word that is hurtful to others and use it wrongly? Shame on you!
2007-04-12 14:40:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you are wrong. Just because I don't want to have other new words come in to play for materials in clothes,, tents, etc..... that we now refer to as flame retardent. Wouldn't that be confusing? The world is just to sensative.
2007-04-12 14:26:48 · answer #7 · answered by kaiserray02 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is rude, because you are associating retarded people with things you don't like.
2007-04-12 15:23:46 · answer #8 · answered by ☭ 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes , you should be fired and sent to jail , Oh My GOD , I cant believe you would say something like that .
2007-04-12 14:55:19 · answer #9 · answered by 1diputs 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. You called her on her mistake. It's not like you were making fun of her son.
2007-04-12 16:14:33 · answer #10 · answered by v 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋