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> "Correct" is silly to even discuss relative to this topic. How about "polite"? It's exactly as rude to use the wrong pronoun about a person, as it is to use
by henrikschroder 10y ago
> "Correct" is silly to even discuss relative to this topic.
How about "polite"?
It's exactly as rude to use the wrong pronoun about a person, as it is to use the wrong name. It's common decency to call people what they want to be called, and it's not exactly hard to do either.
- lliamander 10y agoPoliteness is culturally contingent. For example, I have lived in places where making a special effort to hold open doors for women is a social obligation, as well as places where it is deeply offensive. Is it appropriate sometimes to violate those norms? Certainly, when those norms involve a violation of higher moral principles. Principles such as not saying things you believe to be false. > How about "polite"? So, you're saying that people should not openly disagree merely because it is impolite?
- henrikschroder 10y ago- Hello, my name is Henrik. - I disagree, I'm going to call you Steve. - ???
- lliamander 10y agoI agree that your interlocutor is being ridiculous. But the analogy doesn't hold because your interlocutor doesn't have any reason to disagree with your statement; they're just being a troll. In any case, someone might rationally object to any such analogies because they disagree that there is an equivalence between names and pronouns.
- frogpelt 10y agoOk, that makes sense. However, hypothetically speaking if someone wanted to be called a name that I considered to be vulgar or offensive, I would not call them that.
- henrikschroder 10y agoYes, but we're not talking about a vulgar name, we're talking about a person that presents as female, has a female name, looks female, but was born a male, who simply wishes people would adress her as a "she". This is not burdensome. This is not onerous. This does no harm. Just honour her wish. Why wouldn't you?