The thread is deviating into jokes and lore discussions unrelated to the original topic, that of
additional dialogue choices.
Giving shorty races dialogue choices to react when they are being insulted, dialogue choices
which are available in other situations to other races already:
Tieflings and Lae'zel, Gith and Shadowheart, all characters in Aradin's, Gale' and Gandrins case, etc.
When you untie the Svirfneblin at the mill, he asks: this is where you try to rob me? He expects it. The player can do it, can pretend ignorance, or not do it. Clear-cut choices which cover the majority of playstyles.
Unless you believe that
every player -
regardless of class, background, RP - would select choices where their Tavs ignore Astarion's insults just because they rolled a gnome/halfling/dwarf, please don't bring generalized, normalized, or internalized racism as a counter-argument.
(
An argument that doesn't even hold water since you can punch Aradin from patch 1 for spouting similar stuff to Astarion)
Dialogue railroading is an example of bad writing - and unfortunately present in plenty of party-based RPGs, where the main character interacts with key NPCs (either quest relevant or writer's favorites). Said NPCs suddenly gain 'plot armor'/'protagonist halo' for the time it takes to spout some remark without the PC being able to react to it.
Regardless of whether or not you've played a shorty race or ever intend to play a shorty race, please be clear about what you are arguing for. You are not defending your option to 'be evil' or 'conform to the Forgotten Realms' social norms' (that was not in question), you are defending Tav having fewer dialogue choices because it makes Astarion look cool.
If some of the above posters want to ask for their own additional dialogue choices (demeaning, racist, more evil choices - being some of the ideas) or they want to analyze the FR lore, please start a separate thread. It appears you will have plenty of support.
(
Just because a citizen wrote a request to the city council for more water fountains in the public parks, doesn't mean suddenly all pet owners should scribble at the bottom of said request that they should be allowed to walk their pets without leashes through said public parks. 
)
