Would a Postage Stamp Offend you?

[Poohbear123]

I am curious what the insult was

Lets see, I am a Caucasion, and she was African American......MY RACE was Insulted, as far as I am concerned, by the customer saying "These are TOO WHITE."

 

[auntpolly]

I think someone assigning strong negative emotion to someone else's choice of a stamp is very interesting. (There's that word again.) Some people just pick any stamp, doesn't really matter to them what's on it. Some people would avoid certain stamps, thinking that they don't find it visually attractive or because the stamp does not relate to the purchaser in any way. (I wouldn't choose to buy a boring, single color stamp, nor a stamp about football, nor a stamp with a holy cross on it.) And of course sometimes there is an emotional connection, thinking they would never use a particular stamp because of the negative emotion associated with it. (I would never choose a stamp with certain politicians, living religious figures, or Madeline Murray O'Hair on it. Neither would I choose one with serial killers on it!) I think anyone assuming that because I refuse to buy a football stamp that I 'hate' football or football players or football fans is a bit over the top.

I choose my stamps with care. I want it to be something fun and colorful, or something beautiful. Occasionally I buy 'message' stamps that I don't find appealing, strictly because of the message (like a breast cancer awareness stamp, for instance.) Though not a Christian, I have bought and used Madonna and Child and angel stamps for Christmas cards, though I would not buy a holy cross stamp. To me, the first two were beautiful art, the third is more a religious symbol that does not relate to me.

If I received mail with a holy cross stamp or an Eid stamp, I would not make negative assumptions about the sender. I would, though, probably assume that the sender is a religious person.

Well you learn something new on the DIS every day! I had no idea people assigned such importance to the choice of a postage stamp! Really, I'm not kidding! I'm going to have to start looking at the ones I receive in the mail from now on, if people are actually putting thought into the choice.
I never look at them!

When I buy stamps I just ask for "stamps". I couldn't tell you what are on the ones that I have in my desk right now.

Not the first time I've been clueless about something, won't be the last.

 

[annegal]

I think 10 years ago I would have sympathized with non-Christians about this - I still am a huge believer in separation of church and state and don't think there should be religious symbols or displays in public buildings, prayer in school, etc.


So I'm assuming that a nonChristian feels this same extreme hatred for Christianity to be disgusted by a postage stamp! This hatred of me and my religion doesn't inspire my sympathy, and so it goes on. Cultures divide!

This is what you wrote. I don't consider myself Christian or Non Christian, but I don't want the Madonna Stamp on my non religious Christmas cards. Doesn't mean I hate any religion.

 

[LoraJ]

Lets see, I am a Caucasion, and she was African American......MY RACE was Insulted, as far as I am concerned, by the customer saying "These are TOO WHITE."

I used to be a cashier. If someone said that to me, I would laugh. Then I would find the flag stamps and say "Are these okay?" That's it. Your response was pretty snarky. I wouldn't be insulted by what she said at all. I don't find what she said to be insulting at all.

 

[auntpolly]

This is what you wrote. I don't consider myself Christian or Non Christian, but I don't want the Madonna Stamp on my non religious Christmas cards. Doesn't mean I hate any religion.

Please read all of my posts and if you still don't understand what I am trying to say, I'm not sure what else I can add to help.

 

[Poohbear123]

I used to be a cashier. If someone said that to me, I would laugh. Then I would find the flag stamps and say "Are these okay?" That's it. Your response was pretty snarky. I wouldn't be insulted by what she said at all. I don't find what she said to be insulting at all.

OK, whatever She was "snarky" I was "snarky" and YOU are "snarky" is "snarky" even a word? Or, are you trying to say Smart A**! I cannot believe I have posted other things on this board, and got ignored, and now I post about a Stamp and my "experience" with a Un-happy customer, I get Bookos responses, and also "attacked" and I am just in amazement I am still on this Board!

 

[Disney Doll]

I used to be a cashier. If someone said that to me, I would laugh. Then I would find the flag stamps and say "Are these okay?" That's it. Your response was pretty snarky. I wouldn't be insulted by what she said at all. I don't find what she said to be insulting at all.

How about if a white person had said something was "too black"?

Would you think that any more insulting?

 

[LoraJ]

How about if a white person had said something was "too black"?

Would you think that any more insulting?

Nope.

 

[auntpolly]

How about if a white person had said something was "too black"?

Would you think that any more insulting?

I would find that to be extremely insulting -- but what a lesson this has been this week on the DIS, learning what is offensive and what is not to people.

How about "too Jewish" - "too gay" -- "too hillbilly"....

 

[buckylarue]

Just an FYI for those of you who are concerned about what is on your stamps:

zazzle.com is having a one-day sale on their custom postage stamps today (Thanksgiving day) only! Normally, they charge $14.99 for a sheet of 20 39-cent stamps (or about 75 cents a stamp), which always seemed like way too high a premium to me. But, today only, they are selling them for $9.99, or about 50 cents a stamp. That I'd be willing to pay to get stamps with my cats on them, or a local tourist photo, or whatever else I want!!

 

[LoraJ]

Just an FYI for those of you who are concerned about what is on your stamps:

zazzle.com is having a one-day sale on their custom postage stamps today (Thanksgiving day) only! Normally, they charge $14.99 for a sheet of 20 39-cent stamps (or about 75 cents a stamp), which always seemed like way too high a premium to me. But, today only, they are selling them for $9.99, or about 50 cents a stamp. That I'd be willing to pay to get stamps with my cats on them, or a local tourist photo, or whatever else I want!!

I am thinking about doing that for my wedding invites. A picture of the two of us. Too bad I am not prepared to do this today.

 

[pjpoohbear]

I can see why a Jewish person might not want Mary and Jesus on a postage stamp, can't you?

The "too white" comment confuses me at best.

Weren't Mary and Joseph jewish, is it there fault their kid had radical ideas and went off and started teaching them?

Pj

 

[yeartolate]

Weren't Mary and Joseph jewish, is it there fault their kid had radical ideas and went off and started teaching them?

Pj

This is true. Even they thought he was a hippie.

 

[RachelEllen]

So I'm assuming that a nonChristian feels this same extreme hatred for Christianity to be disgusted by a postage stamp! This hatred of me and my religion doesn't inspire my sympathy, and so it goes on. Cultures divide!

I think this is part of what drives us apart, however. Where is hatred, digust, etc. coming into this? Reading the original post, a customer asked if there were other stamps. And said she was Jewish. That's it.

Personally, I feel the same way. I'm Jewish. I'm not particularly religious. I'm not offended, disgusted, nor do I spend a great deal of time thinking about stamps. However, I just wouldn't buy the ones with Jesus. But it carries about the same emotional weight as choosing to buy Coke over Pepsi.

I guess I'm more upset that we can't accept differences without ascribing such strong emotions to the choices of others.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I think this is part of what drives us apart, however. Where is hatred, digust, etc. coming into this? Reading the original post, a customer asked if there were other stamps. And said she was Jewish. That's it.

Personally, I feel the same way. I'm Jewish. I'm not particularly religious. I'm not offended, disgusted, nor do I spend a great deal of time thinking about stamps. However, I just wouldn't buy the ones with Jesus. But it carries about the same emotional weight as choosing to buy Coke over Pepsi.

I guess I'm more upset that we can't accept differences without ascribing such strong emotions to the choices of others.

I totally agree! Some people must get a lot of exercise with all the jumping to conclusions that they do...

 

[auntpolly]

You know what I find interesting, that after I've already conceded that there might be something I didn't understand, people still have to swoop in and criticize -- "some people" --. Obviously you are looking for a fight today for some reason.

I apologize - I throw myself at your feet and beg for mercy. Now that I know postage stamps are so important to so many of you, I'll try to respect your opinion of them in the future.

 

[Shugardrawers]

I asked for a book of stamps at the post office the other day. I got a book of lavender "our wedding" stamps They are 5 years late for that I'm an athiest but I wouldn't turn down the religous stamps no matter who they depicted. I'm not offended by any religon, I just don't subscribe to one. It's just a stamp in my book. I don't notice the ones that come on my mail.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

You know what I find interesting, that after I've already conceded that there might be something I didn't understand, people still have to swoop in and criticize -- "some people" --. Obviously you are looking for a fight today for some reason.

I apologize - I throw myself at your feet and beg for mercy. Now that I know postage stamps are so important to so many of you, I'll try to respect your opinion of them in the future.

auntpolly, are you speaking to me???

If so, I believe you have misinterpreted my post. I think anyone who gets up in arms over a stamp, looking for some hidden meaning or insult in its selection or its rejection, is probably finding lots of unintentional things to be offended about.

A stamp might be just a stamp to the sender (as you said), or mean nothing more than that the sender liked it him/herself for whatever reason.

I've never heard of anyone being converted (or proselytized) to a particular religion because a religious stamp was used in the mail, but I suppose anything is possible. Somebody declining to choose a particular stamp because it is 'too white' to me means she chooses stamps that have some significance to her, whether artistically, culturally, or whatever. I doubt it was meant to insult the white race. Again, it's possible she DID mean it as an insult, I just think it unlikely and am not going to assign a negative intention to a perfect stranger's offhand comment.

And just because someone chooses stamps for some personal reason doesn't mean s/he is looking for every mail recipient to recognize and acknowledge this. Heck, most of my outgoing mail is bills and probably goes through a computerized envelope-opening system, never to be seen by a human. I'm buying the stamp for me and my taste, not for any ulterior motive.

 

[LoraJ]

auntpolly, are you speaking to me???

If so, I believe you have misinterpreted my post. I think anyone who gets up in arms over a stamp, looking for some hidden meaning or insult in its selection or its rejection, is probably finding lots of unintentional things to be offended about.

A stamp might be just a stamp to the sender (as you said), or mean nothing more than that the sender liked it him/herself for whatever reason.

I've never heard of anyone being converted (or proselytized) to a particular religion because a religious stamp was used in the mail, but I suppose anything is possible. Somebody declining to choose a particular stamp because it is 'too white' to me means she chooses stamps that have some significance to her, whether artistically, culturally, or whatever. I doubt it was meant to insult the white race. Again, it's possible she DID mean it as an insult, I just think it unlikely and am not going to assign a negative intention to a perfect stranger's offhand comment.

And just because someone chooses stamps for some personal reason doesn't mean s/he is looking for every mail recipient to recognize and acknowledge this. Heck, most of my outgoing mail is bills and probably goes through a computerized envelope-opening system, never to be seen by a human. I'm buying the stamp for me and my taste, not for any ulterior motive.

 

[tink1978]

I would not be offended either, but I also would not buy the religious Christmas stamps. We do not celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday, but rather, as a time to give to others. Stamps with Santa, elves, etc I would buy.