Do you: answer when asked, give your opinions and let them decide, or insist your answer is the only one?

Question

How do you think your words affect others?

Answer 1

I answer when asked, give advice and opinions only when asked and let them decide from there. If it's something I can't prove to another, I would rather engage in discussion (Civil Discussion) to see what other views are out there.

Answer 2

I give my most honest and personal opinions, regardless of how others will perceive because I respect the manner which they value their personal opinions. However, on Yahoo QA, I find that most questioners are not out to ask questions, rather, they want to "listen" to what they think is the truth to them like a self-prophesized answer. Also, the answers which they pick must be in line with their mental model, otherwise immediately rejected without 2nd thought, particularly when talking about religion.

The questioners usually do not like any disturbance of different thinking models so some insist that their opinions about something is the only "correct" answer. Same goes for other answerers.

There have been many cases of me getting thumbs-down for stating my personal opinions, even thiough I make it a habit to state the word "In my opinion" or "I think". Many people are not tolerant towards others' opinion when they come into Yahoo QA.

Answer 3

I answer when asked, give my opinions and let others decide. Whereas I do not insist that my answer is the only one, the fact that I offer it indicates that I think it is my best effort at answering.

My words, or your words, affect others according to the information they carry, and how the hearer uses them to form his own outlook. In earlier times words like incantation, enchantment, spells, curses and blessings were coined to reflect real phenomena effected by the use of words. In todays world we have "devalued" those concepts, but when we "provide information" we contribute to the "formation" of other's attitudes, feelings and outlook.

Speaking and writing are actions which are best governed by following the golden rule. Sometimes we get it right, sometimes we don't.

Answer 4

I like this question. I have been a little sarcastic when answering others 'questions'. It is usually when it is just a nasty statement someone tried to pose as a question but really isn't. I do try really hard to be kind. But, I must say that I never close my mind completely. My answer is not going to be right for everyone in the R&S section because it is a forum about beliefs and people's beliefs differ.

I had a friend and roommate once who drove me nuts because she was always critical, always right...very loud and obnoxious. She hurt my feelings often and since I lived there...I was quite miserable for some time. I always put myself in other people's shoes and think before I speak. When I don't...I always regret it. Some people just do not have a 'filter'! They say things and it never even crosses their mind that it was wrong/mean/ill-informed.

Answer 5

I can say anything I like til I'm blue in the face, but in the end, it is the asker who pulls the wool over his or her own eyes. Mostly people ignore me unless I'm being very bizarre or outrageous. I was amazed at how many people thought I was a total lunatic and sick in the head, just because I was married in the Church of the Subgenius. That was 15 years ago, and I'm still married to the same guy(legally!), so words and the ideas they evoke are tricky things and often mislead. I don't let the words belie the spirit. In fact, they are often an active hindrance. Like all this rubbish I'm spouting...

Answer 6

Mostly a combination of the first two.

I will always answer when asked. I do not feel that my beliefs are only for me. But I do speak out a lot. Mostly, I question other beliefs. If someone decides that my question has merit, then that may help him along in life.

I don't have an answer that would qualify as the only one, so definitely not the last part.

Answer 7

I provide my opinion, but I don't insist that its the only one or the only right one because opinions are all about perspective. For me, there are no "right" or "wrong" answers, unless the question is asking for a specific fact. Otherwise, opinions are just subjective.

Answer 8

Writing is dicey.
There is no intonation.
Therefore, it is easy to give a wrong impression.
I try to simply answer the question asked (with sources) not say everything that can be said on the subject.
I do my best to remain polite and humble.
So, I hope my particular answers are read and digested and maybe a portion thereof ....adopted.

Answer 9

I try to give my opinion which is the right answer for me. I understand that what works for me may not work for someone else who have a very different background or life experiences. I also make a lot of jokes when answering.

Answer 10

When I answer a question, I use the authority by which we will be judged and that is the Bible.

The Bible has the answers, you just need to apply it.

Everyone has an opinion but if the answer is Biblical in nature, I may sure there is scripture to support the answer.