Traveled a good bit back in the day. Sometimes I would be in conversations that were based on where we came from and comparing notes on how we did/said this or that.
Basically, such went well as long as there was some give and take.
Today, you can't speak to someone you don't know because you might offend them by noticing them. But, you might offend them by not noticing them.
Thus, damned if you do, damned if you don't.
Seems the problem is there are too many people looking to be offended first. The "I'm more of offended (a victim) than you" syndrome has afflicted the majority of the population.
"If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter." ~ George Washington ~