For the record, I think we all know what is meant by "normal" when it's used on here. So, to keep from beating a dead horse, let's stop asking people to define normal. Don't get mad, just hear me out.
It's not a bad word. I know that "normal" is both relative and arbitrary, but there's no need to say "what's normal?" or "define normal" every time someone uses it. It's driving me batty. It's a word that helps us understand our world and our situations, just like all the labels we use to describe ourselves. It's not something carved in stone or forced on anyone. It's just a term. Some people like it and some people don't, but we all know what it means and there's no reason to get prickly because someone uses it.
I feel like whenever a person writes that, they think that 1.) they're the first person to say that and/or 2.) they've said something clever. That may not be the case, but it always comes across as condescending and snarky. I try not to read into it and to restate what was said in another way, but after reading the same thing over and over again, it's enough to drive someone crazy.
Anyway, I just want to encourage us to let it go when it shows up. That's all. If it's a word that bothers you, please ignore it. I don't know another word that works any better that's more politically correct (not that "normal" is really all that incorrect, but anyway) and having to tiptoe around certain words can be a big pain in the butt, especially with something as mundane as "normal."
Anyway, don't flame me. I'm not trying to step on anyone's toes or anything else like that. I just get tired of the whole "what's normal" conversation.
