Do you have many friends that usually have an opinion opposite of your own?

Question

I do, and it keeps me always looking at the other side of everything. It's good.

Answer 1

Not just friends but close family, as well, yes. Opinions are just that: opinions. They should not be confused with facts nor should they result in hostility and hatred. Mature adults can disagree without being disagreeable and a friendship lost over a difference of opinion mustn't have been much of a friendship to begin with.

The other critical point (which you and a few of your answerers have already raised) is that looking at an issue from another person's perspective -- particularly when that viewpoint and yours are in complete opposition -- can be very healthy, nurturing, even instructive. The quintessential food for thought.

One of the most effective forms of debate is to consider the opposing side of the argument form all angles and prepare yourself accordingly. The reason this is so effective (and informative) is that it causes you to literally see the issue from a perspective not your own. This can either strengthen your own purpose and resolve or make you think twice about your position and possibly look at the issue again. It's all good.

But again, the key to maintaining friendships with those with whom we disagree on issues of politics, religion, whatever is to be civil in our discourse. Never take things personally or make the disagreements themselves personal. Avoid ad hominem arguments at all costs and keep the peace. We don't all have to agree on everything. Life would be pretty dull if we did.

Vive la différence!

Answer 2

Most of my friends disagree when it comes to politics. I tend to be with people whom I may have one thing in common such as music but we are nothing alike. I tend to go against the grain on many issues because I have a variety of subjects I am interested in but not the same ones as my friends. I think the worse time is at work. I feel there are too many people obsessed with television and sports. That is just my opinion but marching to a different drummer is the only way I want to go through life. I don’t want to march in a parade all day doing the same exact actions the people surrounding me are doing. Now you can see why people have different opinions then me. “Life, ya gotta love it!” Laugh, live and disagree it keeps your heart pumping.

Answer 3

My housemates and I run the age gamut from 27 to 43, and the political spectrum from conservative to virtually communistic.

Not only does it keeps our arguing skills in tact, we constantly demand proof for dissenting statements, which means researching before talking.

It's very invigorating having a wide variety of opinions instead of a group of people with homogeneous beliefs.

(By the way we treat each other like sisters and we usually go out together... we just have different views... it keeps things interesting.)

Answer 4

I can have a polite disagreement with a person and still be friendly, I just hate it when people think the only way to settle it is by tossing the worst insult or diggging up the nastiest dirt. I tend just to leave that kind of arguement because it's not worth the effort

Answer 5

Only when I'm thoroughly drunk and feel like arguing with everyone else's opinion lol... Hostile even. Somehow we don't end up beating at each other because of some nonesense arguments LMAO!

But normally, no. My opinions are generally absorbed reasonably; and vice versa.

Answer 6

I deliberately surround myself with people who are different than me...I embrace diversity through different idealogies, belief systems, creeds, races, etc. I love the mental challenge and expansion of my own knowledge. You are only a younger version of me...at least within our various mental acrobats...and it scares the heck out of me, sometimes...as it is almost easier to be around someone opposite from me. Two of us is bad enough, wouldn't you agree? :)

Answer 7

Actually it's great. One thing for sure is, you know the consequences of both opinions. This way, you're invulnerable to mistakes. Well, I'm more psychologically than most of my friends, does that count?:)

Answer 8

For the most part, yes. Sometimes I love it because it keeps me thinking. But sometimes I hate it because I wish we could just agree!

Answer 9

Yeah-and it pisses me off-not because they don't agree with me-but because it seems like she always looks for a way to start an argument-like she is just asking for it-b/c she always wants to be right.

Answer 10

I love it because having very different people around you keeps your mind open, and gives you a constant differing perspective of things.