Can you stand your ground when you are outnumbered by others in a conversation?

Question

When your with a group of people and one tries to put their views and judgement on a particular subject matter on the group as a whole and you disagree with what that person is saying to win over the others?Do you speak out, agree or stay silent???

Answer 1

Speak out. Use reason and logic. Logic is not a matter to be voted on. Compassion for others' point of view is however appropriate for any side of an argument.

Truth can be a dangerous thing in a mob mentality but it must be defended by the courageous. Not that I believe in any absolute concept of 'truth' but some truths are clearly better than others.

There was a time not too long ago that most people thought that the world was flat. It isn't. Similarly there are many things that people believe today that are just not true.

Humans sometimes find more comfort in numbers than they do in searching for the truth but this can only hold us back from making our world a better place. Its only the courageous few that can dispel the ignorance of the mob.

Answer 2

"Outnumbered" is a relative term when it comes to conversation. As we know, most people are sheep. If one tries to sway the group a certain way and I believe another, then I am not outnumbered, am I? In most of my debates or arguments I am able to hold my own quite well one on one. I do stand my ground, providing arguments to back up my stance. This will sway most, but if I really want to win the entire group, I have the strength of my convictions and will win the rest, most of the time even the one who was opposed to my point of view in the first place! 99% of any argument is attitude anyway, and I seem to have a gift. Not necessarily in a hostile way, but in a persuasive way none the less.

Answer 3

I think that one of the most important things, is your objective. If the majority don't think as you do, but you want them to "like" you, you'll agree or remain silent. The other is to be informed & logical about your views without attempting to impose them. It would never be my attempt to "win over" the others. I've learned that by both listening, & in civil dialogue, I've gained new perspectives, & would hope that others would as well. I would speak out, if I were the minority of one. I agree much with Meng Tzu except for the "shouting over." I can make myself heard without shouting, & if a debate turns into a shouting match, I'll just leave. There's nothing to contribute to a shouting match, but a strong "personality" can be heard in what at first appears a bit of chaos. I'd just never cross the line if nothing constructive could be achieved.

Answer 4

Kinda let them run out of air and then you'll know their position and why. I can't do it, but some wait intil they are asked for an opinion. If you look up emotional intellegence, part of it is EI in negotiation. If you lose your cool you might better go home. Cool, intuitive and being well informed wins the day, but it's not about winning. You might want to be in a different group also. Oh, and avoid judgment words, warmer, descriptive words are more effective, facts, examples and experiences.

Answer 5

I always speak my mind....and I have always made sure I was speaking the truth or taking the side of right and not the side of might. There have been times I stayed silent so I could get more information on the topic under discussion. For me, the truth and morality speak for me.....the rest is just political or power arm twisting. You know, "To thine own self, be true." follow and practice that and you will fall to sleep smiling. For a person of conscience like you, as you appear to be, I think that policy will be good.

Answer 6

I can and will speak out against a whole group of peers, if I feel secure in my position, and the persons I disagree with are not overly emotional or irrational -- and it helps to give a care about the issue in question. I've learned not to try to defend a position I don't completely understand, even if I feel strongly. And I won't go up against someone who uses a crazy argument - you can't reason with lunatics; nor someone who is prone to attack me for disagreeing. I figure that kind of thing discredits him badly already, I'll give him the rope ... and I'm not at a debate so fighting just feels rude. And if it's not important to me, I'll try to tactfully point out what I disagree with, but I'll tend to let it slide.

Answer 7

If they will let me speak out and not shout over me I'll say what I believe.

I try not to "win over" others. It's a form of control and people shouldn't be controlled. If they agree with my view that's great. If they don't and they are not beligerent, that's great.

Yes, I can stand my ground when I'm well informed or when I have conviction.

Answer 8

It depends on who you are talking to. What is your investment in the people to whom you are talking? Also it depends on what you are talking about.....
Hypothetically: If I am in Montreal talking to some very pretty Canadian girls and I think putting mayo on a hamburger is gross; I am not even going to bring it up! The bottom line is how much am I willing to invest in who I am talking to. Will I ever see these people again? Am I about to talk my way out of a job? Do I want these people to like me? Is there some spiritual seeker who is asking questions about God in the crowd?
The answer to your question is you can hold your ground but you have to decide how far you are willing to go. Another trap to avoid is: Are you being baited? Some people like to ask provocative questions just to see how long they can keep everyone else talking....if this what someone is doing do go there! You are being toyed with and in that case you should not even mess with it. Hang out with someone else.. Another thing to consider is "Will bringing this up ruin the mood?" If you are in the middle of a softball game the last thing to do bring up Decartes or the war in Iraq. i hope this helps in summary consider:
1) How much the issue means to you.
2) How much your audience means to you.
3) Will my big mouth ruin the mood and if so, so what?
4) How badly do I need to prove that I am right?
5) Is this a trap?
Good Luck,
-H
PS-Remember that people do want to be told how wrong they are people are attracted to people who are pleasant.

Answer 9

Yeah of course I always do. For instance in English class we were having a discussion and it sort of went to talking about gay people and i was grouped with all these preppy chicks and one said "...my dad would disown me if i was(gay).....so yeah it would be weird if you saw a little boy wearing a dress." and then everyone agreed with her and I'm thinking what kind of world do we live in where bitches like these judge innocent children I was pretty much outraged and i got this look on my face and said "No, I think it would be pretty cute." And the mindless group of 5 conforming girls were all quiet. HEY !!!!!!

Answer 10

I think different views are important. If a group wants to think like one voice then join a group like AA and focus on the one particular purpose but even then there are no guarantee of solidity of group.