As I told you, I heard that word often when I was growing up...

Gosh, so many things bubble up. Ultimately, we aren't responsible for anyone else's behavior. However, like you, I share a social responsibility to stand up when things are not OK. We risk starting a fight, or creating a bigger scene at the expense of more tension. Sounds like keeping the peace in that moment, in that venue might have been the better choice, tho. Hopefully, there won't be another opportunity.

This is powerful Ben. Sometimes it’s generational - older generations didn’t have the sensitivity that exists now (and is increasing). My grandparents used to use Yiddish words that for them, weren’t even charged. They were simply descriptive based on the way they grew up and the culture of their time. Now they are offensive. Norms change. I agree with Carly that the time and place is relevant - if there is no real malice. Maybe a conversation privately afterwards, but I probably wouldn’t humiliate someone who was basically well-meaning, in public. I remember years ago a Gotham member said something about Jews, assuming that I wasn’t Jewish. We were at a social dinner. I know that this person is not anti-Semitic and is a really good person. We waited until a later point in the conversation, and I brought up a story that clarified the situation. It was a bit awkward, but we all then moved on. It happens. I am constantly confronted with strident political opinions at work. It seems that all gloves are off these days. I often feel I can’t say anything because my job would be in jeopardy. This isn’t right, no matter what you believe. And sometimes in social media I feel really badly when I read some thing written by someone I like and respect that sounds like “everyone who believes this is a blank.“ many times people assume that everyone believes what they do and there’s a lot of self righteous cruelty out there. I don’t often engage if I am one of “those people“. I feel like it’s fruitless sometimes. I used to. Respect is always appropriate- I think I will say something privately in the future. Lots to think about here. Thanks for the insight.

It is generational. I heard that term a lot growing up too. Times change and so do words.

I'm thinking about how to respond. This is a topic that is both simple and complicated at the same time. There's no mulligan to be had for missed opportunities to speak up - if there were, I would take a few. We can, however, move forward and take advantage of opportunities to educate people who either don't recognize their words as being offensive or who assume their ignorance is a shared condition.

I agree and that's why I'm disappointed that I didn't say anything....