But

If someone walked up to me and the missus and slapped her face with their cock - I'd be offended. I'd probably be so offended that I'd take a cheese grater to their cock and bollocks. By offending me they've caused a response that, at the very least, amounts to assault and, possibly, GBH or even murder.

There are limits to what behaviour people will put up with before responding with violence. For some people, like me, the limits are fairly high. For others, the limits are extremely low. Offensive behaviour that isn't addressed can lead to much more serious offences. That's why we have laws governing certain types of behaviour. You can't go down a street in Brixton shouting "All n***ers are monkeys and should be sent back to Africa". Well, you can, but you had better hope that the police get to you before the locals do.

Cheers
( Legless Mister Stabby - shanks for the memory, Tue 27 Sep 2011, 10:11, 3 replies)

You'd be offended
But the issue here is common assault, not causing offence. Same for racist taunts; they're offensive but that's not why they're wrong.
(lolwhites, Tue 27 Sep 2011, 11:46, closed)

"Wait there!"
or do you carry a cheesegrater around just in case?
(username failed moderation, Tue 27 Sep 2011, 14:10, closed)

You've taken that a little out of context
You're talking about someone being physically assaulted, which has caused offence, I'm talking about someone saying "you're a dick" and then the receiver of said insult getting up in arms about it.
(Maccy Divided by 0 on, Tue 27 Sep 2011, 23:38, closed)