Vernon wrote: > I too found the original message offensive and do regard it as a >personal insult to every smoker on the list. I don't believe it is >the place of others to issue apologies.
Personal = pertaining to or belonging to one particular person and no- one else. Collins Dictionary. I think that it is a little too sensitive to describe the adjective as intended for you personally and I'm not sure that you are qualified to speak for every other smoker on the list (surely that's up to them to speak up for themselves?). It was a general remark based on Dave's *personal* opinion stated in his usual robust fashion. As a generalisation I don't believe that it really warrants an apology. Express your dislike of the phrasing, by all means, but don't take it *personally* as it wasn't meant for you as no-one knows who smokes and who doesn't on this list. Roger
