"Opinions are like assholes. Everybody has one." - Dirty Harry
Nowadays, with the help of social networking, people are finding new and improved ways of being completely rude, opinionated and arrogant jerks. They stand on their soapbox of choice (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and spout out passive aggressive attacks at anyone and everything that they disagree with. Don't get me wrong... having opinions is extremely important and useful. It is imperative as critical thinkers to make judgment calls about issues and ideas so we can make informed decisions and better understand who we are. What is not essential in this equation is being rude, demeaning and condescending towards other people's beliefs and ideas.
Extremely opinionated people have to be very careful not to let their personal beliefs and theories spill over into the ever so popular, slippery slope of "shitting all over anyone who doesn't agree with me". It's one thing to share what you think and feel... that's great! Everyone is entitled to having their voice and speaking their mind. It's a completely different issue when you attack someone else's beliefs or personal life choice. That's not called having an opinion... that's called being an asshole.
Where I see this happening a lot is with different Religions and personal belief systems. Why is it that people feel so entitled to attack someone based on what they believe or don't believe? I thought this was the age of the 'Anti-bullying' campaigns? These people teach their kids not to bully one another at school, and wear pink on Fridays, and play nice with the slow kid in their class or whatever, and then they go on Facebook and post some cartoon that says if you believe in God you're an idiot.
"And the 'Parent of the Year' award goes to... this dick-hole right here!"
"And the 'Parent of the Year' award goes to... this dick-hole right here!"
I mean, come on! Seriously! It's 2015. We're supposed to be a highly cultivated, civilized, educated society where we celebrate our multicultural differences and aim to eradicate discrimination and inequality.
Maybe some people need to re-read that children's book about the different animals meeting each other for the first time. It goes something like this: so there's this bird that meets a beaver or something, and he says, "Hey Beaver! We're different... and that's pretty cool". Then the beaver goes off and runs into a dolphin or something, and says, "Hey Dolphin! We're different... and I kind of like it!". Then the dolphin swims off and meets some rude, Christian-hating Atheist and says, "Hey human! We have different beliefs... and that's O.K! So stop being a big douche."
Well, I'm not sure if that last part was in the book... but it should be!
Maybe some people need to re-read that children's book about the different animals meeting each other for the first time. It goes something like this: so there's this bird that meets a beaver or something, and he says, "Hey Beaver! We're different... and that's pretty cool". Then the beaver goes off and runs into a dolphin or something, and says, "Hey Dolphin! We're different... and I kind of like it!". Then the dolphin swims off and meets some rude, Christian-hating Atheist and says, "Hey human! We have different beliefs... and that's O.K! So stop being a big douche."
Well, I'm not sure if that last part was in the book... but it should be!
When it comes to opinions and opinionated people, it never ceases to amaze me how random acquaintances, family and friends can feel so entitled to freely express what you should or shouldn't do, how you should do it, when you should do it, where you should do it and who you should do it with, all without the slightest concern about what YOU would like. It's as if nobody cares what YOU think or feel or what YOU want, as long as they get THEIR two cents in the conversation.
We all have opinions, but the best opinion to have is an informed opinion. Before you open your yapper and start spewing out your unfiltered and uneducated opinion ask yourself:
"Am I just being an Arsehole?"
"Am I using accusatory language filled with 'YOU this...' and 'YOU that' instead of 'I see it this way' or 'I think this'?"
"Am I sharing my opinion in a helpful and respectful manner?"
"Am I completely informed about this subject?"
"Is anyone even asking me for my opinion in this conversation or would it be more polite to just listen?"
People are more likely to take your thoughts and opinions seriously, and actually listen to you, if you convey your thoughts and ideas in a logical, respectful and informed manner.
Life is hard enough with our own negative thoughts and opinions clouding our own minds. Let's remember to be respectful and kind to one another, listen to one another, and if opinions differ, let's practice a respectful "agree to disagree" resolution.
Cheers,
Bootsy
I feel like Stephanie Tanner from Full House...
We all have opinions, but the best opinion to have is an informed opinion. Before you open your yapper and start spewing out your unfiltered and uneducated opinion ask yourself:
"Am I just being an Arsehole?"
"Am I using accusatory language filled with 'YOU this...' and 'YOU that' instead of 'I see it this way' or 'I think this'?"
"Am I sharing my opinion in a helpful and respectful manner?"
"Am I completely informed about this subject?"
"Is anyone even asking me for my opinion in this conversation or would it be more polite to just listen?"
People are more likely to take your thoughts and opinions seriously, and actually listen to you, if you convey your thoughts and ideas in a logical, respectful and informed manner.
Life is hard enough with our own negative thoughts and opinions clouding our own minds. Let's remember to be respectful and kind to one another, listen to one another, and if opinions differ, let's practice a respectful "agree to disagree" resolution.
Cheers,
Bootsy
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