I'll take option two. mmmmmm, man panties. :Þ

high absorbancy man panties are even better. <3

er, I think those are called diapers. xÞ

NO, THEY ARE CALLED DEPENDS. GAWD.

Personally, the way I speak tends to be very blunt, and occasionally I forget a bit of tact. Being aware of this, I've gotten into the habit of forwarning people that I'm not trying to bash, put down, or offend, but that I want to communicate what's on my mind in the clearest way I know. People nowadays largely don't seem to like being told things bluntly, and I'm not one to sugar-coat or beat around the bush, so I'm aware that what I say may come off as offensive to even reasonable people. There are times when "no offence" is appropriate, in my opinion.

I've been told I am very straightforward or single-minded sometimes, and have gotten er...yeah. *sigh*

see, I, personally don't see anything wrong with this. it's mostly in regards to sitations where the comment comes entirely out of the blue and both parties, have otherwise, been perfectly civil to one another. I know I'm not the most politically correct person, and have warned people that my abrasiveness has nothing to do with them, but I also think that's a little different than warning someone of your opinion itself and telling them not to freak out over it. After you have been sharing said opinion and have had absolutely no one react negatively over it.

I find it more like a polite safeguard since frankly, some people take things the wrong way at first glance, so if you make it clear your post have good intentions they might be more rationale.

not saying you shouldn´t wear ya manpants when dealing with opnions, but you should still be a polite manpants wearer

no offense but.....this line of thought is way out of line.

The phrase has become a social safety valve these days, and even a bit of a hedge to allow one to collect one's thoughts (along with the requisite ahs, uhms, uhs etc)

i guess it comes down to what sort of person you are dealing with, and what sort of person you are WILLING to deal with.
you may say that "those folks who get pissed off at me just stating my point of view are dimwits", and you'd be right. but some of those dimwits are great people in every other aspect of their personality, so i find it worth stating one's opinion with diligent care in those given situations.

I don't really see someone getting upset at my point of view being dimwitted; there are some truly sensitive people out there, and sensitivity has very little do with one's intellectual prowess[unless you're using that as an example, in which case, please excuse my sunfried brain]. that being said, being diligent with your opinions and how you present them doesn't always, if ever, require the application of "no offense". in many ways, it's almost become an excuse for people to be insensitive towards others or to state their thoughts in an abrasive manner; you can't be offended because they stated at the beginning that they meant no offense, despite wording themselves callously. it's almost like saying "no offense, but I think you're an idiot"[and we all know I really don't think this of you xD] and feeling comfortable in the fact that you can say whatever you want just because you've excused your opinion with "no offense, but..." or "don't get offended."

I can understand wanting to state one's opinion as inoffensively as possible, however you can easily do that without resorting to the phrase "no offense, but..."

oh sorry, i think only now do i (hopefully) get what this is about. i had understood your original post as a critique of soft statements, lack of verbal balls. as though you meant that we should always be blunt, even insensitive.
but now i see that what you criticize the over-use of that specific phrase, and the abuse of using it as a ticket to insult folks.

so now i can agree with you again - what a relief, i'm happy, the day is saved and i see double rainbows outside

seriously though, i even partially agree with my misconception of your first post, at least in a way that i secretly admire people who are blunt in an honest way, and perceive truly sensitive people as tedious. maybe because they make me be a little dishonest, or something.
being blunt ftw! (btw you looked like shit on that "Lux eat cake" pic) >8-D

Not to be racist but...

not to be sexist but...

telling someone to not to be or act offended when no offense has occured is a lot more offensive than continuing on with your argument and debating opinions with this person.

Fff I had to read that three times to comprehend it x.x Confound this useless brain, it drives me to derp.

Also I usually go with option a) on the basis that its a lot easier to retract something if you never said it in the first place =P

I've never had this problem. XD People generally know I am a pretty hard-to-insult individual and I never got insulted by anyone saying "no offense," because, hell, I figure they're figuring it's better to be safe than sorry. I actually wish more people would say it and genuinely mean it, considering how many people I deal with who act like total dicks and then are totally surprised when people get pissed off at them.

Agreed.

Yes, or option 4: the message is really really hurtful or awkward
I'm thinking more in the sense of "may I say something ah, I'm gonna say it anyways" thing, here's an example:

"Maaan, what is this, is everyone avoiding me?"
"May I say something Gato?" / "No offense Gato but... "
"Yeah what?"
"....You were really awkward that night as you told every partyguest that story about how you got genital herpes from your dog"
"..."
"..."
"I did whaaat? I told that story?"
"Sorreh, you wanted to hear the truth" / "I didn't mean to offend you but I wanted you to know that everyone will ignore you for the next five years"

It gets annoying when the phrase is misused:
"No offensive Gato, but you are a complete idiot and you smell like butt and also your oppinion is wrong, everyone of them"

---

I just came to this page to say that your new icon is supercool, instead I post on your week old journal. sigh.

hahahaha, I should really, really go back and edit to add that bit. as I've realized that that is very much a legitimate use of it.
but. effort. I'm tired, I've been inspecting bridges all day/week. xD

and thank-you! my icon was actually made by my buddy and I just. couldn't resist cropping her drawing for me into an icon. <3