Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | NXg | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest |

For political correctness

Photo: Mohammed Yousuf

Not for us Nothing should come in between friends

In election season the political brouhaha generated by netas, big and small, spares none. Once the battle lines are drawn, it is time to feed the news-hungry soul on poll banter that becomes hallmark of every nook and cranny.

Wild speculation and gossip takes flight invading corporate corridors, office rooms, bustling coffee shops, eat outs, the chaiwala’s shop at the street corner and just about every possible place.

Politicians firing salvos at opponents suddenly become wary of their limits to avoid the baton of the Election Commission. Netas become watchful of their speeches to sound ‘politically correct.’

Interestingly, far from political hoo-hah there emerges a fresh breed that is utterly obsessed with extending the state of this ‘political correctness’ to 24x7 on all 365 days.

The genre influenced by this ‘plague’ is increasing in size, as more and more people want to avoid use of language or ideas that may cause offence to others.

The subject can actually cause a divide in views and generate a hot debate among youngsters who represent a mix of a diverse mindset. To determine the exact size of the support base for the American acting legend Clint Eastwood in this regard will be an interesting activity. Eastwood accuses younger generations of spending too much time trying to avoid being offensive. In his apparent belief that political correctness has rendered modern society humourless, the Dirty Harry star insists that he should be able to tell harmless jokes about nationality without fearing that people may brand him “a racist”.

To avoid such tags, the least one could do is to update the basic lingo and try and recognise the neighbourhood barber in his new avatar of ‘hairdresser’, the tailor as ‘fashion designer’, grocer as ‘food retailer’, a terrorist as ‘a misguided youth’ and a pickpocket as an ‘economic offender’!

“I find it ridiculous. I don’t see any harm in sharing jokes based on nationality or ethnicity, as long as they are done for pure fun. I don’t want to be politically correct at least when I am with my close friends. It would really take the sheen off our friendship. You cannot think of exercising diplomacy all the time. If you do so, where is the real you?” wonders a bubbly Snehalatha Bhardwaj.

Pavan Ankam fears losing his sense of humour by trying to be what he is actually not. “It is not always possible to measure your words before you actually utter them. That’s too much of diplomacy and I am not for it,” he shrugs.

Most youngsters feel they might never be able to share jokes without fear of offending someone if ‘political correctness’ is taken into account. “Because of wide prevalence of political correctness humour is becoming less acceptable,” rues Bhavana, a happy-go-lucky collegiate.

The shrewder ones have however, found a way out of this predicament. Taking the middle path, they follow a set of simple guidelines that may hold good for others of their ilk.

Assess the group of people you are telling jokes to and try to gauge who might be offended by what. Choose jokes that seem appropriate for the group at hand, avoiding racial, ethnic, sexual or other types of humour. One must exercise extra caution when telling jokes around strangers or acquaintances. Old friends will forgive minor offences, but an inappropriate comment may prevent others from becoming your friend. When in company of potential clients or business partners, it is best to remain professional and keep the humour at a minimum.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail