Just recently, I saw several posts saying: "I hope I'm not offending anyone", and it's been on my mind for a while now.

I only recently realized why this is so common in English. In Dutch, "offended" and "insulted" are the same word ("beledigd"). But lately, it seems like people treat the word "offending" as if it's "insulting".
I'd say insulting isn't needed and makes you look bad, but being offended is a choice of the receiver, and honestly I'm offended by people who want to limit their own freedom of speech out of fear that someone might get his feelings hurt on the internet! Oh noes!

It's okay to offended people! Offensive jokes are often funny. Don't let SJW decide what you're allowed to say or even think!

Trying to be nice doesn't hurt you, but don't let someone's made up feelings stop you from speaking your mind.