It has been known for people to unintentionally offend others by wearing a t-shirt with an offensive slogan. Perhaps not offensive to the person wearing the t-shirt and a misconception on their part it could however spark a lot of controversy from others.

An example would be someone who is an atheist wearing a t-shirt that disrespects God. As they do not believe in God this would be completely innocent in their eyes but blasphemous to others who have either very strong religious beliefs or believe in God in any way.

When choosing a t-shirt or a design to get printed on a t-shirt please be aware of other people’s feelings and beliefs so as not to cause offense. Even what seems like a fun t-shirt to wear such as ‘no fat chicks’ can be upsetting to others or giving a t-shirt that bears this to a friend as a present. Imagine their horror as they open it on their birthday and after reading what it says becomes extremely upset as little known to you they are very conscientious about their weight and will also feel humiliated rolling out a t-shirt that says something of this nature.

T-shirts are meant to be fun and should not be used to belittle or humiliate people. Some people wear branded t-shirts for fun such as ‘last chance’ for a hen or stag night for example but these are to be taken in fun. Arranging a fantastic night out for someone’s hen or stag night only to present them with a completely offensive t-shirt to brandish for the night could ruin the atmosphere and the party spirit and also accumulate a lot of jeers from others in the process.

People believe in many different things from basic things such as which football team they support to more important issues such as which religion they follow or political view that they take. We are lucky that we live in a society where our beliefs and views are no longer suppressed as they once were where everyone was expected to follow the same religion or face the penalty of death. In olden times even speaking your mind could get you beheaded or thought of as a witch and be condemned to burn at the stake.

The main point to take from all this is that while we are lucky that we live in an age where expressing our opinions and individuality is more encouraged we should still think of others in this circumstance and before we act just take a moment to think if how we are expressing ourselves will upset or offend others. We would no longer face the harsh punishments of death or even torture for getting things wrong when it comes to expressing ourselves but it is still wise to think our actions through before we put them into fruition.

What is offensive to some is non-offensive to others so if unsure use your initiative and ask others for advice as to whether they would see that particular t-shirt as offensive or in distaste.