@shotiechan:

"I do not understand why our culture does this. Stop it, right now."

The reason our culture does this is because what is deemed offensive goes well beyond personal attacks.

For example, did you know that, in many places, discussing religion openly is offensive? It's true. It unnecessarily antagonizes athiests, agnostics, or anyone who may not subscribe to the particular beliefs of the religion being discussed.

Or perhaps you may be aware that discussing LGBT issues and legal rights is offensive, because many people have come to the spiritual conclusion that members of that community are at best, mentally ill, and at worst, a pox on humanity.

As someone who is both religious and LGBT, I acknowledge that people may not wish to hear what I may have to discuss in earnest, and I am not offended if they choose not to listen. But I am greatly bothered by those who seek to control what I can say, period, claiming that I am disseminating offensive speech.

So yes, I do think that in some cases, "being offended" is used as a cover for "controlling others." And that these are people who are indeed choosing to be offended, rather than allow an opposing viewpoint to have its say. We cannot merely make blanket statements about "offensive" speech like it was the most obvious thing in the world.