There was something on the radio the other night - I was only half-listening as I was doing other things at the same time. On it was a 'character' who was into camping/outdoor/survival skills. You can imagine the cliches. He even came out with sexist comments and I'm sure I heard something along the lines of him refusing to say and think what people 'tell' him to say and think. I ignored it because I thought I knew us 'bushcrafter' types were different - I'll leave them to get on with their simple-minded cliches, I thought, because that's all they are.
Having read this thread I can see where that stereotype comes from, because you're all falling straight into it. You may mutter about not wanting to be pigeon-holed and then you go and let yourselves down by saying some of the things you have on this thread (not to mention the fist-in-the-mouth embarrassingly sexist 'Bushcraft Betty' - but it's only good fun, isn't it? And none of the female members of this forum complain...etc).
No wonder I visit this forum less and less. Apart from enjoying being outside, I think I am having less and less in common with users of this site and do, on occasion, find myself ashamed to be on it. That's easily remedied though.
Political correctness is not about modifying people's thoughts. Think of it as courtesy. Having the courtesy to refer to people and treat people in the manner in which they wish to be treated. And don't confuse political correctness with stupid local government initiatives to rename Christmas 'Winterval' (for example). Right wing journalists, such as Richard Littlejohn, report such things and come out with that giveaway phrase 'it's political correctness gone mad.' And it seems as if there are one or two idiots using this forum who believe such things. All they are doing is trying to hijack and besmirch political correctness because they want the power back, they are uncomfortable to share equality. It's got nothing to do with PC. And neither has opening the door for someone. Someone refusing that is not a PC monster, they are a bell end. Don't confuse the two.
What's more, each and everyone of us has benefitted at some point from political correctness, I am sure.
Oh well. I suppose the thought will be lost on some of you.
Good bye.