Was Greece the birthplace of humanity?

[kruddler]

There's a relatively simple way to keep things above board.

If there is little truth in the comment then odds are this comment stems from a place that is just taking the pi55 and is hurtful.

Examples. 

water being a Jewish cocktail (yep derogatory,  not true potentially mean spirited stems from historical class division).

Someone being fat, thin, red haired et Al.  Statement of fact.  Context might make comments about them mean spirited,  but the comments are descriptive.

Call someone a fat bastard who eats all the pies, mean spirited even if true. 

It really isn't hard.  before saying anything ask if there is anything mean spirited about the joke.  If there is, then odds are it shouldn't be said.

Calling someone fat IS descriptive.....but it can also offend them. Is it acceptable?

Lets say you work in a big office. You are trying to describe one of your co-workers to another co-worker.
You: "Do you know Julie? You know, the nice girl who is always here late. She has brown hair. She barracks for Carlton. Has 2 kids. Hangs around with Steve..."
Co-worker: Nah not sure.
You: "She got drunk at the xmas party. Always wears green. blah blah blah"
Co-worker: Still doesn't ring a bell.
You: "You know, the fat one"
Co-worker: Oh yeah, now i know who you are talking about.

What if 'fat Julie' happens to overhear that comment? What is she doing? Going straight to HR and complaining about people calling her fat at work.

Anyone who says its 'simple' to draw a line, is not seeing the whole picture.