Culturally, we have begun taking on these 'safe spaces' and allowing the general masses to adopt this idea that we are unable to engage in on account of hurting people's feelings.

That's the nail hit right on the head. It could be imposed that we say nice things to avoid controversy in the public -say our workplace. And then this passivity gets rubbed off on our daily lives, and how we relate to people around us. We become too agreeable, certain our own point of view don't matter or no one would really care to know.