To a Briton pointing out that something is nonsense, rubbish, tosh or logically impossible in its own terms is not an attack on the person saying it – it’s often no more than a salvo in what one hopes might become an enjoyable intellectual tussle.

I think in the U.S. there's a more emphasis on the idea that one should avoid causing offense by even stating one's own beliefs, much less criticizing someone else's. And there are reasons for that; this is a much more diverse society. My sense is that the UK is tilted more toward the "if you take offense, that's your problem." Not that it's impossible to offend a Brit, but it does seem to require a little more effort. Or Chris Morris.

Unfortunately, saying "eat a muffin whitey" to one's cow-workers is somewhat embarrassing.

Don't I know it!

I think the UK is more tilted to "You are not your ideas." So if a person tells you a particular idea is stupid, it doesn't mean YOU'RE stupid. I got the impression Fry was talking about a dinner party where we might not know everyone well (or at all), not among close friends or family. I do think arguing with someone's ideas is seen as bad manners in this country and not proper chitchat.

In America, on the other hand, asking someone what they do for a living is idle chatter, but in Europe or Britain is often never brought up among people who are just meeting.

Try being non-white and using that muffin exhortation.

Some people are so touchy.

Try being non-white and using that muffin exhortation.

See, I feel weird saying "eat a muffin whitey" to a black person....

"Eat a muffin, whitey" transcends race!

"Eat a muffin, whitey" transcends race!

It does! I had a total "eat muffin whitey" moment a couple of weeks ago, But instead of saying to the woman who was whining that the deli was out of blueberry bagels, I just burst out laughing for no reason and looked crazy.

As a non-white, I submit y'all want a cupcake and not even a muffin. If it scales up to a cake, it's cheating to call it a muffin.

Huh. Where I grew up the population density is 72.9 people per square mile and the population is 97% white. Where I live now it's 31,860.3/mi², 42.6% white.

I was looking at census.gov (which is where that site pulls the data from) and discovered that the pocket suburb of Cincinnati where my father lives is whiter (96.9% white) than the small town in rural Maine I lived in as a small child (95.9% white). I found this very depressing.