When is it polite to use the word "stingy"?

 (I posted the following at the alt.fan.miss-manners newsgroup, but it
wasn't as productive as I'd hoped.)


That is, it seems to me that all too often, those who describe a
person or organization as "stingy" are just being pushy and grabby.

After all, it's not "rude" for parents to give only the basics of
food, clothing, shelter and school supplies to their kids, especially
since they might be simply trying to encourage their kids to work for
what they want, so what real right do kids have even to THINK of their
parents as stingy?

Now, if we're talking about struggling homeless people and what
they're not getting in terms of government help, that's different.

Otherwise, I'm not sure it's really an acceptable word.

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.fan.miss-manners/browse_thread/thread/2f8ebdb500fc2f8b#
 (semi-productive thread that followed this question)

Follow-up question:

OK, so I guess my question now is, what are the general rules about
when is it fair/polite to use a pejorative to describe someone's
controlled spending habits?


Lenona.

  On Thu, 11 Dec 2008 20:09:23 -0800 (PST), lenona321@yahoo.com wrote:



Sort of depends of whether or not they believe in voluntary
simplicity.
But aside from that, I have a general rule.
If parents pay their kids a quarter to skip dinner, then charge them a
quarter for breakfast, that's frugal.
If they charge that same quarter for breakfast, but are only willing
to spend 15 cents on the skip dinner part, that's downright stingy.
Might even call it "profiteering."
That may seem overly critical on my part, but you have to draw a line
somewhere.
YMMV.

--Vic

 lenona321@yahoo.com wrote


Neither of those are anything like stingy.


Thats not what rude is about either. It might well be unacceptable or
undesirable tho.


for what they want,

Obviously the reason they are doing that is what matters.


When they parents are stingy, they have every right.


Depends on how you feel about pejoratives and how you feel about calling a spade
a spade.


http://groups.google.com/group/alt.fan.miss-manners/browse_thread/thread/2f8ebdb500fc2f8b#

habits?

Its never polite to use any pejoritive.

It is fair if its accurate.

 
I think you're confusing the accuser with the accusee.

Lenona.

 lenona321@yahoo.com wrote:

Wasnt worded very well, but those doing that accusing doesnt have much at all to
do
with being pushy,  particularly if the characterisation of the stingy person is
accurate.

The problem with grabby isnt as bad, but again if the characterisation of the
stingy
person is accurate they arent actually being grabby, just saying what they think.

Still not very well said, but I dunno how to say it better.