🕹️ Andrew If you complain about people reacting negatively to a word that you know is provocative, aren't you just playing yourself? Sure, people can say whatever they want, but IMO people aren't going to be that receptive to your points.

🔚 Bort Simpson Who determines what words or gestures are provocative?

👉 Léo I am confident your question is rhetoric, but I will take the bait. My answer is that ultimately what determines which words or gestures are provocative is the culture in which you are inserted. There can be friction when members of different cultures interact. To avoid friction, we could try to be aware of the conventions in other cultures and (as an act of kindness) try to avoid things that may be offensive or hurtful for other people, so all feel welcome.

☕ David Antoine Well put. On top of that there are some basic values that should guide people regardless of their culture (am I idealistic?). Don't kill, don't abuse children, don't rape, respect and protect family, help each other when possible, be kind, etc. When parental and state education fail, problems starts and amplify when corporate interests are involved. Or are those interests also at the source of it? Is it an inevitable "self feeding" loop? Are those basic values offensive now?