OP-ED: We’ve become too sensitive

We are all guilty of reacting instead of listening, assuming instead of understanding

By Eddie VanStine, Bath NY

Good Saturday morning it’s almost 5:00 a.m.!

Here’s something that’s been weighing on my mind…

Somewhere along the way, we’ve gotten too sensitive as a society. And I say that with respect, with love, and from personal experience — because I’ve been guilty of it myself. These days you can’t have a simple, honest, everyday conversation without somebody blowing up, getting offended, or acting like the world’s ending over one comment. And it’s not just the media’s fault… though if you look at the media, all you see are people yelling, arguing, and trying to prove a point on anything and everything.

But truth is, part of this is on all of us.

Our Founding Fathers? Those men and women were tough, bold, and built with backbone. They disagreed like hell but still found ways to move forward as a nation. If they looked at the way we react today — the arguing, the labeling, the sensitivity over every tiny thing — I honestly think they’d be shaking their heads… maybe even laughing a little.

Because strength requires a little grit.

Character requires a little toughness.

Respect requires a little give-and-take.

Look — when I was a kid and I messed up, my parents weren’t afraid to call me out. My teachers weren’t afraid to correct me. Even the military used to be the place where if you breathed wrong, you heard about it. And you know what? It built strong people. It taught lessons.

Today? People get in trouble because they got too close to someone’s feelings.

We’ve drifted so far into a world where everything needs a label, everything needs an argument, and everything requires a reaction. Not everything deserves a dramatic response. Not everything needs to be a personal attack. And not every disagreement means someone is your enemy.

And I say this as someone who spent years taking things too personally. One little comment could ruin my day because I’d overthink it to death. I’d take it straight to heart when the person probably wasn’t even trying to offend me — they were trying to help. Sensitivity can twist reality. It can take you down some crazy paths if you let it.

And that’s the problem: we’re reacting instead of listening.

We’re assuming instead of understanding.

We’re labeling instead of learning.

Look at chivalry — something that used to be a simple sign of respect. Holding a door. Helping someone with their bag. Taking your hat off. Pulling out a chair. These weren’t signs of weakness; they were signs of honor. But now it’s been twisted into something it was never meant to be. Respect shouldn’t be “offensive.” Respect shouldn’t be something we’re afraid to show.

And here’s another thing:

What happened to real, human connection?

I see it every day. A cashier tries to make small talk — just trying to brighten someone’s day — and the person behind them gets mad because they’re “taking too long.” Two seconds of kindness ruins someone else’s mood. That right there is sensitivity gone too far.

I walk down the street, I smile, I wave, I say hello — but so many people keep their heads down like the world might explode if they make eye contact. It’s like we’re more comfortable talking through screens than talking face-to-face.

Go Bills 

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