3 ms·
Language evolves. I definitely associate "grope" more with sexual assault than trying to find a glass of water in the dark. It's understandable that the documen
by xyzzy_plugh 3y ago
Language evolves. I definitely associate "grope" more with sexual assault than trying to find a glass of water in the dark. It's understandable that the document could evoke discomfort.
The "they're just words" argument/defense is certainly never an acceptable response. It's one thing to go on a witch hunt and extrude connotation where there is none, but that's not what this is. Instead, use this as an opportunity to understand others better and learn to be more empathetic.
- jlawson 3y agoIndulging someone's hypersensitivities is not helping them, it's harming them.
- NateEag 3y agoEhhh... that's pretty black-and-white. It's definitely possible to hurt someone by indulging their hypersensitivity, but it's also possible to hurt someone by completely ignoring them when they tell you "what you said hurt me." Like engineering, communication in hard situations isn't about following rules legalistically - it's about understanding the nuances of the situation and your tools well and making the best judgments you can admit the different tradeoffs you're balancing in a given moment.