As I've said before, being from Yorkshire and living in the Midlands, I get a lot of the flat cap and whippet stuff. I never got that in Florida - just too many people who didn't understand a word I said!

"Hi, there!"

"Nah then."

*blinks, tries again* "Sure is hot today!"

"Aye, turned out mild again, 'asn't it?"

*blank look, swift retreat*

As for cultural appropriation, much depends upon what is appropriated and how. I was in a jewellery shop, looking for a watch, when I heard a young lass say to the assistant "I want one of the silver cross-shaped pendants. No, not that one, the one with the little man on it!"

Now I had to chuckle. But thinking about it, a crucifix worn as a fashion item, in deep ignorance of its significance, would be deeply upsetting to a devout Catholic. On the other hand, most of the Jewish people I've known over the years would find nothing but mild amusement in Annes' favourite lunch of bagel, cheese spread and salami! Because food is one thing, but a symbol of the central mystery of a religion is quite another!. I myself would never wear any tartan item out of respect to the clan to which it belongs, but back in the glory days of the Bay City Rollers, you couldn't move for teenage girls in tartan!

Offence, as you rightly say, is neither here nor there. But some things can and do cause serious upset and distress. That's hard for me, as someone to whom nothing is sacred, to understand, but I have seen the upset it causes, particularly to older folk.