I Am VERY Opinionated, Is That Bad?

[Ornery]

Someone, whose opinion I very much respect, said that I am VERY opinionated. The tone of their voice lead me to believe they didn't think that was such a good thing... <gulp>

I always thought it was desireable to say what you think, and believe in what you do. Hmmm, this may be the crux of a rift in our extended family. I am scheduled for counseling because of this schism, but I hadn't thought about being overly opinionated as being part of the problem. What a revelation! Or would you think it's something that even needs to be addressed?

 

[777joee]

It can be good and bad at the same time. Its HOW you use it that makes the difference.

Just my $.02


And remember opinions are like a$$holes, everybody has one.

 

[TallBill]

its 100% FINE to be very opinionated... but only if you realized that your opinions are just that... opinions... they mean veyr little to the world.. and you must recognize others...

 

[OS]

<< Or would you think it's something that even needs to be addressed? >>



I think this question would be better posed to the person(s) in question rather than us.

 

[jobberd]

Yes, you are very opinionated, and no it is not a bad thing (at least in my opinion ). Having an opinion on things simply means a) you aren't apathetic and care about things around you, or b) you form your own opinion and don't jump on the bandwagon with the rest of the sheep. Of course, baseless opinions not based on fact should never be recommended

 

[Czar]

Opinions are good if you are willing to change them for something better, they are bad if you think your opinions are as good as they are going to get.

 

[Azraele]

777joee is right, it's how you choose to use it that makes the difference.

For example, creative criticism vs criticism.

If you say, I like that shade of blue on you, but I think you look better in a shade a tad darker.
vs
I hate that color on you.

 

[Migroo]

I dont think its a problem at all, as long as you are willing to understand why another person hold's their specific opinion and to be open about ideas.

Azraele's comment speaks sence

 

[Phuz]

Ornery, I too am very opinionated.

The key is to know when/when not to be opinionated. I've learnt that it is usually better to just let things slide with friends and family. I avoid arguements now, (i love to argue) unless they are 100% wrong, i'll step in..

 

[notfred]

Yes, beening overly opinionated can be a bad thing. there are a lot of preople that you HAVE to deal with every day, and they're not going to like you much if you insist on telling them "the way it should be" about anything and everything that gets brought up during the day, especially if they disagree with you. Sorry to say it, but most people don't want to hear what you think about things.

 

[Russ]

<< Opinions are good if you are willing to change them for something better, they are bad if you think your opinions are as good as they are going to get. >>



Czar,

You would less of a hypocrite if you actually practiced what you preach.

Ornery,

Only pussies do not have strong opinions. They painlessly ride the fence because they have no nuts.

Russ, NCNE

 

[Migroo]

<< Only pussies do not have strong opinions. They painlessly ride the fence because they have no nuts. >>



However, they are better than the people who aren't willing to jump over to the other side of the fence once in a while

 

[Ornery]

Ah, good point made by a couple of you. TACT! That would help my case a bit! Believe me, I'd be willing to change my ways for this person. I'd also change my opinion in a heartbeat, if I found I was on the wrong track. But, by God, you can imagine how fervently I would defend that new position! :Q


Edit: Jesus Russ, that's pretty, uh... catchy!

 

[Monel Funkawitz]

Ornery, do you want some whineburgers? How about some frenchcries?

 

[Migroo]

But Ornery, thats what makes you you! That is also important.

Dont just change your ways immediately. The tact part would be a good idea though.

The way I deal with other opinions is to acknowledge them as opinions. They are not right, or wrong. That normally calms me down in a debate about the latest hot hatchbacks...

 

[Czar]

<< Czar,

You would less of a hypocrite if you actually practiced what you preach. >>


Ditto. But that is the thing about opinions, you never know how far you go with them. How far you "push" them on other people. Everyone should have an opinion or at least a will to form one on most subjects but willing to listen to others opinions also to add to their own. I´v also noticed in arguments here on AT that the minute one person shows a hint of changing their opinion the other side claims "victory" over it and that is just wrong. Discussing opinions should never be a battle and that is what everyone should avoid.

 

[jobberd]

<< Yes, beening overly opinionated can be a bad thing. there are a lot of preople that you HAVE to deal with every day, and they're not going to like you much if you insist on telling them "the way it should be" about anything and everything that gets brought up during the day, especially if they disagree with you. Sorry to say it, but most people don't want to hear what you think about things. >>

Having a strong opinion doesn't mean you go around telling everyone it. I have strong opinions about many things but I don't argue them all.

 

[Migroo]

Czar is speaking sence here, in my opinion

Yes, I dont think strong opinons are a bad thing, as long as you are willing to listen to the other's opinion aswell.

 

[Russ]

Czar,

My opinion is that you're a useless turd.

Russ, NCNE

 

[StageLeft]

If u are too opinionated yes it is bad but I'd rather be around people who are too opinionated than not opinionated at all.

Of course I would hope that the first person was willing to be open to suggestion and new ideas and not just stand mindlessly by their opinions. I am quite opinionated also but I try (sometimes hehe) to change them if I see any nice new evidence. For instance in guns I used to think guns = bad, but have seen enough arguments on AT to show that there is more to it than that.

 

[Czar]

<< Czar,

My opinion is that you're a useless turd.

Russ, NCNE >>


but that is like.. your opinion and concerning this matter your opinion means nothing to me, though in other matters your opinion does mean something. (ps. dont claim victory over this one )

 

[Zenmervolt]

Tact, like everything else, has a time and a place. Damned if there aren't times, however, when tact is the last thing that needs to be considered.

From what little experience I have (not quite 20 years), I have found that the phrase "you are very opinionated" means "you strongly believe in and defend ideas of which I do not approve". There is nothing wrong with being unabashedly straightforward. Stick with it, say what you think and believe in what you do. Listen to Russ.

ZV

 

[Russ]

<< your opinion and concerning this matter your opinion means nothing to me, though in other matters your opinion does mean something. >>



Which is, of course, the single most important aspect to my existence. I spend countless hours in worrisome thought, concerned only that my opinion would mean something to you.

Russ, NCNE

 

[Piano Man]

I've noticed that it is really easy to voice strong opinions here since there is no "face" to talk to; however, over time, it affects real life circumstances.

 

[Yo Ma Ma]

I dunno, I rather like people with strong opinoins, you never have to wonder what they are really thinking