are you politically correct?

SunAndRain · October 2014

I like to think that I am. But I am honest to a fault and I think it puts people off.

For example, talking with a few other parents I mentioned that I had looked at a school in the our area. One parent asked for my opinion and I told him I liked it and felt like we had two great options, excluding the private school that I wasn't considering. I was about to pat myself on the back for a super P.C. response when he asked me directly WHY I wasn't considering the private school. I bluntly told him and the other parents that I didn't believe that private school did a better job at preparing children to be successful in life than our public school system.

Now, I wasn't trying to knock private school and truly I haven't done extensive research so I'm merely going off my perception, which I stated as well. Then I back pedaled and said that maybe you get more connections in private school and another parent quickly agreed.

So now I can't stop thinking that I may have offended a parent. Maybe they went to a private school and I just insinuated that all that money spent was a waste. I want to build friendships with these people...not be a b!tch.

But I'm so bad about filtering!

Clearly being PC doesn't come naturally to me. Was what I said that bad? I feel like I should call the parent and apologize but I don't want to make a bigger issue of it than I already did.

shannm · October 2014

I don't think this falls under pc vs. non pc. And as a parent of a private school kid, I am not offended. In certain areas of the country, I would agree with you.

minirella · October 2014

I don't see why giving your opinion when another parent asked for it is a problem. I'm pretty matter of fact and informal when I talk. I like plain dumb language, not fancy complicated words that I have to look up in the dictionary. People at my work love to throw around big words but I have gotten feedback from clients that say they feel like those people are talking down to them and they'd rather deal with someone else within our agency than those people.

jtmomma13 · October 2014

I am most likely not always pc and that's because I don't always think before I speak.

But in regards to your story, I don't see how what you said would be offensive. You stated your opinion when asked and it sounds like your opinion is a generalization not specific to the school in question when compared to the other schools.

I don't know I think people need to stop being so damn sensitive!

jasminelorraine20 · October 2014

I don't think what you said was bad or PC. I would just leave it alone. You gave your opinion on the topic at hand and everybody is entitled to one.

owlet3 · October 2014

If it was an unsolicited opinion--that is one thing. Since you were being asked for your opinion--if you care to give it then give it. Although I probably would have phrased it on the positive... Why I am choosing public, because x school rocks, and let the negative about the private school go unsaid. That way I don't have to deal with someone's panties in a wad over a personal decision.

2chatter · October 2014

I don't think I am PC enough for our socially and politically conservative area. I was telling a story about being ostracized in elementary school and said "black kids" and one mom gasped a little bit. Like, don't talk about those things gasped. (I am by the way not in any minority group, hence my lack of claim to speak of these things). In less conservative areas I think I am pretty PC.

And that is where school choice, depending where you are, could be very PC as a topic. But I agree, yours was blanket and pretty PC for that topic.

VegasGal1978 · October 2014

I think people can be overly sensitive. I think you should consider they you weren't being disrespectful and just chalk it up to someone not liking what you had to say. Don't dwell on it, you have a right to your opinion and shared it respectfully when asked.

bumpuser10331514 · October 2014

I don't think you said anything wrong. He asked your opinion, you gave your opinion. If he was charged up about the issue, he shouldn't have asked you and put you on the spot. I'd just mark it down mentally and either (a) ask him his opinion knowing he probably feels strongly about it (but still avoid a debate), or (b) avoid discussing this matter with him at all.

I'm an introvert, so I typically never have this issue unless it's something I know I can discuss with who I'm with and I already know their thoughts on the matter. My DH, on the other hand, he nose dives into difficult conversations. He usually has a conversation going long before I jump in. And the poor guy sometimes gets nailed after he offends someone, but most of the time - people are endeared by his forthright approach and willingness to discuss. It helps that he knows his sh!t. But I think that you're always taking a risk putting yourself out there as you get to know people.

Bottomline: I wouldn't give it another thought if I was you.

edit: sometime things don't make sense the first time you write them...

SunAndRain · October 2014

Thanks everyone. I feel a little better that what I said wasn't so horrible so I can stop beating myself up. I'm def. more outspoken than average around here. I'll continue to try to tone it down, or at least be careful about my phrasing.

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