The meaning of "B.C.E."?

[HJJACOBSON at AOL.COM]

In a message dated 4/18/2005 11:54:20 AM Pacific Standard Time,
lammers at uwosh.edu writes:

> I guess I lost track -- Which is the "courteous" way?  To be
> "religiophobic" and change a 1200 year old way of doing things, or (as I do) to just stay
> the course despite a lack of interest in things religious?
>

Sorry if this a repeat but I am not certain which button I punch on my first
response

I have that problem, too. I never know when I am at a performance if I should
be courteous and ignore the person next to me who emits a strong perfume or
whether they should have been courteous to me and wear less. Like-wise with
cell phone users in public places like a restaurant - should I be courteous and
ignore them? Fortunately I don't have to worry any longer about cigarette
smokers. You just never know who should be the courteous one.

For example the Canadians decided out of courtesy to refer to certain
northern people as Intuits instead of Eskimos, which a Canadian told me means "people
eaters." But the Intuits in Alaska decided to be courteous let those of us in
the lower 48 continue to call them Eskimos.

You never know which way to go.