Offense is taken, not given - Jimmy Carr

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I wholeheartedly agree with Jimmy Carr on this. Way to often I feel people choose to be offended, even when there isn't really any need to be offended. People can be confrontational, blunt or even (unnecessarily) rude, but do you need to take offense at that? Aslong as it is true and within the limits of common decency I don't really have any problem with it. But then again, I am Dutch. The Dutch are known for being pragmatic, direct, bluntly honest and having a lack of tact.

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This means, I call things as I see them, like it or not. You could take offense, sure. But when what I say is correct, you would be wrong.  If I am mistaken, then still there is no reason to be offended, just let me know I am wrong. For me that's a learning opportunity and you've taken a constructive action, to correct my mistake. It still isn't a reason for being offended. 

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With the statements I make, it is never my intent, to be offensive. I will be merely stating, what I believe to be true. As an selfproclaimed Egalitarian, I believe "eventhough all individuals are different, each should be awarded equal value and should be treated as such". This is the foundation of my worldview. 

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With the statements I make, I try to be factually correct and my opinions are based on what I believe to factually correct. I'm well aware, that people will disagree with the statements I make. Disagreeing is fine, but that doesn't have to lead to taking offense by the statements I make. So when there is no reason to, then just don't. With a normal conversation or discussion a lot more is achieved than with angered responses.