You have your opinion, I have mine. Is it ever wrong/rude to express your honest opinion to another?

Question

Where does your right to express your opinion end. If the person you are speaking to is likelly to strongly disagree, get offended, ect. How do others see this?

Answer 1

You have to express the opinion quietly and with respect. For instance, my friend's husband went on a tirade about gay men, and how he'd beat one up if he saw him holding hands with another man. When he wound down, I said "I dont need to have a discussion with you about this, but my family accepts my brother's male partner and I can leave the room if you want to describe what you'll do to my brother the next time you see him."
Never let somebody else's bluster stop you from saying what's right, but don't pick fights needlessly. And if you are a bigot, don't assume everyone else agrees with you.

Answer 2

Back in the 70s, I remember there was this whole trend toward "total honesty" touted by groups like EST and Lifespring...but people quickly found out that simply doesn't work in most interpersonal relationships. Some people used "honesty" as a cover to be hurtful, rude, mean and tear someone down...which in my book is really the ultimate dishonesty.

There's an old saying "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" and there are definitely times when people should do that. Preserving one's dignity and respect in my opinion that is more important than some people's idea of "honesty."

I suppose it's ultimately the individual's call...depending on the other persona and the circumstance, but i figure if it's more more important for the individual to be "honest" even if it is hurtful and unhelpful than it is to be kind and courteous and respectful and empathetic, then don't be surprised if the number of friends one has starts to drop dramatically.

As for that line about "rights"... I find it interesting that everyone wants to have "rights" but no one ever talks about assuming responsibilities...

Answer 3

Are opinions really honest? We can state what we see and how we feel about things when it is appropriate to do so. That is when the subject has been opened and accepted for discussion. If a person does not accept the discussion, they may have good reasons. They may also have crappy reasons but that does not trump their right to ignore what they wish to. You can shout from a soap box, but people are not required to listen. Certainly there are times when sensitive or inflammatory subjects would offend the sensitivities of a few. We don't discuss sexual activity when children are about. an old aphorism reads "we don't speak of rope in the house of the hanged." Use your head and be aware of what Social environment you are in. then speak accordingly.

Answer 4

I think it really depends on how important it is for you to share your opinion with the person you are conversing with. If your opinion is only going to offend the other person and it's not going to benefit anyone for you to express it, why would you feel the need to say anything? If it is an opinion that you strongly believe in and you feel that it is important for the other person to know that about you, then I think the message needs to be thoughtout a little and delivered without offending.

Answer 5

Yeah, i'll admit, i can be a culprit of this. But when i first started using GWS, i wouldn't be rude, in fact i'd be quite polite and honest with my questions....There was no need for rudeness or insults. But i would get pelted with them, so i decided that being nice obviously doesn't work in here. Then i'd read some of the answers, and when answers insult men....Being a man i would feel insulted as it obviously applies to me. So i would take it as if it was being directed at me (Quite rightly too)...Yet feminists insist its the men and the antis who are the rude ones. Well i can honestly say that neither a man nor an anti was ever rude to me....It was only feminists.

Answer 6

You don't always have the right to express your opinion. You could be in a work environment where you need to garner your responses and opinions. You could be in a social environment where you need to garner your responses and opinions. There are places where your opinions are acceptable but there are many more places where you have to be aware of the social morays and apply yourself to them. Even in those settings, if you know your particular opinions are going to cause trouble, it is rude to present them. Know who you can open up to should you need. We have best friends that we can't speak out on certain issues without causing problems. The friendship is more important. The issues are not. Know your boundaries and pick your fights or you can lose friendships and business associates.

Answer 7

It is rude to express your opinion without being asked, We all have our views and opinions and who is to say who is right or wrong or if any of it matters. As long as we have respect for others and give our opinions or views when asked. But even sometimes this doesn't work because when people do not want the truth there is always consternation. What I say is," if you don't want the truth, don't ask!"

Answer 8

Opinions can be expressed without getting rude about it. We need more "honest discussions" instead of getting in somebody's face because they disagree with you. If people would listen to a different viewpoint, they could learn something.

Answer 9

It all depends on your delivery. And if someone asks for it, that is an ok time to express your views in a civil manner.
Also, is your opinion real, or are you playing devil's advocate, just to be oppositional.....that sure does show through.....
Ultimately, I guess you have to ask yourself, is it more important to be right, or to get along....

Answer 10

Pick your battles; is it worth the commotion? If it is, stand your ground with respect for the other person and respect for yourself. If it's not worth, then just don't go there.