Absolutely not. Common everyday language should not get you in trouble. Except for cuss words, slurs, stereotypes, you know. But you're right, in this time and age, people are getting so offended at anything. There's no word that everybody can agree on without being offended. But let me tell you this. Now it has gotten to a so dangerous level that it's leading to a lot of rebellion. The worse it gets, the more people would rebel against it. I would rebel if it gets worse, but I wouldn't get extreme about it.
There is literally no word that is not a curse word or a slur that offends me in any way. There is *context* that words can be used in that can upset me (mostly when used to trivialise/mock the feeling and thoughts of someone as this is just rude), or that I could - loosely - find "offensive", as per the dictionary meaning (ignoring the ones relating to law and sport!) :
offence - noun (UPSET FEELINGS) :
upset and hurt or annoyed feelings, often because someone has been rude or shown no respect:
"I really didn't mean (to cause/give) any offence (= did not intend to upset anyone) - I was just stating my opinion."
"Do you think he took offence (= was upset) at what I said about his hair?"
informal "If you don't mind, I'd rather go on my own - no offence (intended), but I think it would be better."
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/offence
Offence =/= bad in and of itself. It's a reaction. It just is. It may be a "fair" one to have to a reasonable person depending on the situation ("joking" about rape particularly of children is generally considered inappropriate). Or it might be utterly unreasonable. That's the thing about reactions - they *happen*. A feeling of revulsion caused by what someone has said (and how they said it, as tone and context make all the difference) is not something you or anyone can actually PREVENT from happening - within yourself or anyone else. What you do about it, however, is entirely up to you within the limits of your circumstances.
I cannot stand hearing/seeing/reading people mock children. It is deeply offensive to me as I believe such belittling behavior contributes to the way society - generally - treats children - as nuisances to be controlled, placated, and ignored. None of which helps grow children into responsible, caring, resilient, contributing members of society - which is what any rational adult would agree is better than having irresponsible, uncaring, fragile, non-contributing members of society, surely?
I wasn't raised to be fragile or to think my needs and wishes trumped those of others. Equally true is that I was raised to stand my ground, understand other perspectives, listen to people, and try to communicate effectively. Why so many people seem unable to do the same is something that continues to bother me, particularly when I consider the implications of these people being/becoming parents. But I'm only responsible for me (when not at work), and all I can do is keep trying to improve myself and work towards improved outcomes for my community and the world in general.
