Yeah, I see not offering it up unless asked. I don't think that means you're 'uncomfortable'. I, very often, do not offer it up unless asked.

I feel like it's like any other topic, in that you need to really gauge the situation and decide how comfortable you are with that person, how comfortable they will be with you, and what your interests/ideas are. Even for mundane things, like shoe shopping, it's the same. Some people I'll talk about shoes with, other people wouldn't want to talk about that. Shoes, god, what's the difference?

Calling yourself an atheist in front of a christian can be very annoying. A lot of Christians feel like you telling them is a sign from god that they have to save your should by converting you and that with the power of god by their side they have the strength and patience to enlighten your black doomed soul.

Not labeling yourself saves you from having to hear some circular logic served (t) style.

It can be annoying. I know one person who found out about me who couldn't stop saying 'you're going to burn in hell!'... But, honestly, I was glad she knew and the annoyance was mostly hers, I'd like to think.

Part of the problem is that atheists are seen as being argumentative and obnoxious, which isn't so.

Good question.

When people ask me about my beliefs ( ie: what church i go to as they always assume I am non rational ) I simply tell them I am an atheist and they react as if i told them a black man with a 12 inch penis took their daughter home after doing drugs. Priceless look on their faces.
Normally after that I get asked how can I not believe in god and blah blah blah and then they tell me that they will pray for me. To which I answer : If god has not answered they prayers for kids starving, being abused or all the other horrible things in the world, then why would he convert me to being a christian.

I enjoy the word Atheist yet I dont normally use it.

Calling yourself an atheist in front of a Christian may be annoying. But, admitting to being a Christian in front of an atheist can be pretty irritating as well.

QUOTE:
Calling yourself an atheist in front of a Christian may be annoying. But, admitting to being a Christian in front of an atheist can be pretty irritating as well.

A person holding the minority philosophical position in a particular social setting may feel intimidated or annoyed, true, but is that really the issue here?

In practice, there is a stigma attached to atheists that doesn't apply to Christians. Atheism is often equated with immorality, communism, or worse. Even some who are atheists in all but name refuse to so label themselves in an (misguided in my opinion) attempt to avoid these mistaken associations (see Sam Harris for example, although the reasons he gives are somewhat different).

Not that we should whine about it. Besides, it sure seems like it is getting better and in any case it is more productive to simply work to correct the stigma.