What are your feelings about people who describe themselves as open-minded but don't listen to anyone?

Question

So many times you'll hear a person talk about being open-minded on an issue. Usually that means they disagree with you, but the "open-mided" thing to do would be take their view point. So what do you when you hear someone who claims to be open minded, but acts like their opinions are the true way? And the offenders come from all political, religious, and social backgrounds, so please no bashing of specific groups.

Answer 1

I was just talking with a friend about this yesterday. And we can't figure it out either. Being open minded means that you will listen seriously to someone else's opinion without judging them ahead of time. You still may not agree with them, but at least you took time to consider what they say. That's what I describe as open minded. Very often, people who are on the extreme ends of the political spectrum (conservative and liberal) will say they are open minded when they really are not. I think people in the middle of the road tend to be more open minded because they listen to both sides and make a decision based on a variety of opinions.

I have liberal friends who claim to be open minded, but they don't allow conservatives to have their say. They automatically close down and won't listen seriously, especially if the speaker is working for a corporation, or is a conservative Christian, etc. On the other hand, I have conservative friends who do the same. They get their opinions from Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh and they don't want to listen to Michael Moore, for example.

I don't understand this at all. You can't be open minded unless you let down your guard, stop protecting your existing point of view, and listen to what people who disagree with you have to say.

Answer 2

I think they might be deluding themselves. And then, too, some people are more open on certain topics/situations. While I don't care, for example, what job my kids choose to do, I am more particular what type of person would be their choice for a spouse.

My kids are still young, but you have to think about it early!

It goes back to the whole idea of 'freedom'. To many it is just a word that means you have to be like everyone else. To me, it truly does mean the ability to do what you want, when you want to, with like minded adults, as long as your choices do not, in any way, form or fashion, 'touch' the rights of someone else.

Everything comes down to a definition.

Answer 3

Open minded is a false description, you will find that 99% of all people are not, the ones you think they are open minded simply keeps their answer inside them, while making up their mind before the judgement is even decided.

If I were to explain something to you, if you didnt like my answers as I were explaining, you are almost certain to start making up your mind that I am talking rubbish, especially with string subjects such as politics and religions.

Answer 4

What CAN one "do"? If someone claims open-mindedness but shuts out all other views but their own, I merely point out they appear to be more closed-minded and let it be. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Just because one claims to be open-minded doesn't necessarily mean they understand the meaning of the word.

Answer 5

Then they aren't as open minded as they say they are. To me, being open minded means being able to listen to another's point of view, regardless if you agree with the other person or not.

Answer 6

Usually people who describe themselves as "open minded"
are more interested in declaring themselves to be so than actually listening and trying to learn how to open themselves to new ideas.

The vagueness of the term and how its used have always bothered me.

Good Question

Answer 7

Dealing with people like this is impossible. They will never change their point of view, nor will they listen to yours. The best thing to do in a situation in which you are dealing with a person like that is to let them be, there are much better people to have discussions with.

Answer 8

as a lot as I desire this can end the "does he like me" questions that are like, another question on right here, It gained't. I recommend, what number time can a similar rattling question be requested and responded?

Answer 9

Those are called hypocrites.
Hypocrisy also refers to the act of criticizing others for behavior which one engages in as well, or in other words, not practicing what you preach.

Answer 10

These people are "narrow" minded and can only see straight ahead instead of all around them from which the beauty truly lies.