**TL;DR -- It depends. If the offender is trying to offend, or just doesn't care, then it's their responsibility to think before they speak. But if the offendee is prone to being over-sensitive, then it's their responsibility to think before they throw a tantrum.** Offenders who are trying to offend, or who don't care about the feelings/well-being of others, are in the wrong when they offend people. They need to learn sensitivity, empathy, and humility. They need to learn the repercussions of the words that they use against others, and understand that these words have power and *can* hurt others. There are instances where offensive words can hurt, both mentally (such as triggering anxiety or PTSD) and physically (such as enciting violence against others). Offendees who always jump to the conclusion that offenders are trying to unravel their entire world need to stop and think: Is the offender *really* trying to offend? Is it just meant to be a genial, sarcastic, or ironic joke, and not be taken seriously? Will it *really* hurt the offendee to be offended? Sometimes words *are* just words. It's up to the offendee to determine the true nature of said words, and evaluate whether or not they're really offensive.

Absolutley not! A person has no control how someone reacts to what they say, a persons reactions are their own. No matter what you say, no matter how innocent a statement you make, someone somewhere would be offended by it. Unless you're a mind reader, you have no control over how someone reacts to what you say. It's the intent that matters. If a person says something in the hopes that the recipient takes offence then that individual is a dick. However, he's a dick regardless of how the recipient reacts. The recipient could, and should, just not take offence. That is the best course of action. His reactions are his responsibility and he's denighed the other party the satisfaction on knowing the recipient was offended.