I am really not very good at explaining what I mean, am I?
What I wanted to say was that we all have things we are 'sensitive' about, and past experiences that colour how we react to we interpret the things people say and do. The same thing forms the basis of our attitudes. As a totally non-diabetes example, years ago a work colleague asked everyone in our office whether they thought I should get my hair cut. Out of the blue too! She'd been brought up to have very short hair, and it was obviously an issue that been brought up with. My fringe is long, and covers my face a bit. Her hair is cut very short. Her attitude appear to me that women with long fringes that get in their eyes should get it cut, and that it was acceptable to make comments about it. Bizzare! I just took it as a hint at what her Dad went on at her about when she was growing up. My family went on about holding your knife and fork 'correctly'. Basically, who cares! But I still notice and make the comments my Mum and Grandma used to make in my head. It's so easy to do. And usually about stuff that you don't actually care about at the end of the day! But I've obviously got the attitude that you HAVE to hold your knife fork in one particular way, and in that case it's basic snobbery.
I am sensitive about my weight, so any comment that - to me - implies I should feel negative about myself because of it makes me very defensive.
It doesn't matter at that point what the person MEANT to do. I just react, and am offended or intimidated or whatever. It's the same kind of thing as bullying (which I am no way saying I have experienced on this forum!). Bullying is in the eye of the bullied. What may be a joke to you, may not be to the person you are making the joke to.
oo - I've got a bit to serious here, I think!
btw
Silver and Ebony were a couple of cats of mine. It just came to mind when I was choosing a username. I'm not really a male cat and a female cat at the same time :lol:
I'm trying to limit any personal details I give on the net. It can cause big problems, which I have known people have. But thankfully not experienced myself - touch wood!