Do you have your OWN opinion?

Hi mimpi, I am in total agreement with your views , I guess sometimes I have too much of my own opinion LOL, it leads to problems with people around accusing me of being opinionated and selfish . I agree that we need to be honest and say what we think and feel, but the question is, Is it going to be received in the right spirit the manner it is meant to be? In my opinion, most of the time people hate it when they are contradicted and a different view point to what they think is expressed. So in the end we all resort back to being diplomatic even if we think otherwise...

I do not always express my views to others when in a group unless asked for. I may have my opinion about things but hesitate a bit while expressing it aloud. I may have my own onpinion about things and may not agree with others opinion but will not get into an argument about that.

I think as I've grown older I've become more opinionated, actually I probably mean I've become more confident in expressing my opinions. I am not confrontational with people but if someone is saying something which I know to be untrue I will speak my mind and back it up with factual information. When it comes to food, I do not eat food that I do not like and nothing can MAKE me do so, I'm VERY fussy about food! I like to think that I respect other people's opinion and will let them have their say and if I disagree, I do so respectfully without offending their ego or hurting their feelings as I don't like it when people do that to me. There is a nice way of expressing one's opinions and then there's the bullying way, I prefer to think I always do it the nice way. x

I am honest about my feeling but I do hold back sometimes if saying something would hurt someone. I am vegan. I don't force my views about that on anyone. I think each person should have the diet that they choose. I am pro-life and wouldn't ever have an abortion. I know that some ladies are pro-choice and I respect their opinion. I have a sense of what is right in life like kindness. I am an experienced traveler. my traveling has taught me much about the world. If a friend asks me if I like their new hair do I might think oh that is far too short. So instead of saying that I might say their highlights look wonderful.

I believe I do and I find it very challenging to the point of frustration because where I live its all college students and while its something that goes unspoken there is a suit that is followed. I am a person who wants self expression and want to engage with strangers from day to day interactions but here its like, 'uncool' to do this. I have two kids so of course I stick out from everyone else and sometimes I really wish I lived in a more kid friendly place but I find that I feel more obligated to not shy away. Does this count? Something I'm very vocal about in my town is recycling and I will carry a plastic bag with me to carry things that can be recycled to my car or stroller and my kids sometimes will point out plastic bottles to me that have been thrown right on the sidewalk, I allow them this and thats Owning my opinion, in my opinion, lol

I tend to speak my mind at just about every subject I come across. lol Sometimes I come across as being just a mite boorish, which turns some people off, but it's either I speak my opinion at the moment, or let it stew until it comes off at a very inappropriate time, which would not be a good thing. I've gotten better at holding my tongue, but yeah...I'm still very opinionated.

The catch i think lies in expressing . While to many of us who are thinkers, we tend to analyse what we come across from the way we understand it. Opinions get formed in the mind. But then we are not sure or we prefer to reserve our opinions for various reasons and not express them. I most of the time will fall into this category of forming my own opinion, but being vocal about it only at times or with people i know who can relate to it. When it comes to those issues which are related to society, be it voting, or other issues i do express my views, sometimes though in subtle a manner. It becomes very easy to express an impartial view in manners like this. But when it comes to those around me. i would prefer to be judicious at times and express my opinion when sought or when i really feel the need to. Sometimes expressing my opinion on subjects which are a little controversial like religion... have led to unwanted arguments. Very interesting and a really good post Mimpi.

I am an Arien.I am notorious for my open opinions on everything.It doesn't mean that I an brash and crude.I just cannot lie even in the name of diplomacy.I just like the way I am as It has helped me to filter away the most unwanted people from my life.I find it very easy to say whatever I feel like saying as it leaves nothing to carry as a burden in my mind.I hate to to carry unnecessary loads as I fly freely.

I have an opinion; but I do not know many things in this world and my knowledge is limited. So, I do not have an opinion on many things and do not express my opinion in these. My knowledge about a particular field would be the deciding factor. Secondly, I would express my opinion if it is asked for--- If someone asks for it I would give it but otherwise if it is just a sharing by a friend who wants to give vent to her/his feelings I would try to understand it from the other person's point of view. Sometimes people do not look for solutions and it is only sharing. Then they expect only some patient listening and not my guidance. I would behave according to what the situation calls for; if it is needed for me to just listen I would simply listen and would only try to tell the person some solution or give some suggestion that would suit that person, and is also good for the person [within my limited capacity. If it is against my principles I won't do it--meaning I would not preach what I do not practise, but I would try to be as sympathetic as possible. Within the house it is ok; I would share my opinion even without someone asking for it. If it is something that I can speak with conviction then I would express my opinion irrespective of what the other person thinks--this must be an area where I really know my stuff.; in subjective issues I certainly am a good listener. I do not mind hearing another person's opinion in a general issue or any objective issue. I would be careful because what suits me may not suit the other. Each one is different and has different circumstances. Regarding politics, current affairs, controversial issues, I would not even participate irrespective of whether I have an opinion or not. I do not mind seeming ignorant. This is certain when the people discussing are far too involved and are passionate about their convictions. I can do nothing to change the world and so, I would definitely not waste my time in expressing my opinion .I would run away from these people. And such topics. But one thing, I would go by my conviction irrespective of what other people say about it. But otherwise, I would neither change nor have my opinion changed. I would not persist if the opponent has a different view point and says so Common, general issues--I do not have too many and if I have-- I do not keep airing them at all times Personal likes or dislikes--- .What I like I like. I have an opinion and I have no fear expressing them.--for eg I have no qualms admitting that I do not like art films and I like only impractical entertainers.I am a fan of the actor M.G.R. who did not really know too much of emoting poor thing! [at one point of time I was looked down upon for expressing such stupid likes , but I neither did bother [even when I was very young], nor would I bother now.

I do have my opinions but I mostly just keep it to myself. Im more of an observer first and when I feel and think that the others already have the same opinion as I do, then Ill just sit back and probably add something to help the whole discourse. Otherwise, Ill fully let my opinions be known. Also, I have my own thoughts and sure they may be influenced in some way or other by multiple factors but what I hold as my opinion is my opinion. Others might agree and others might not but Im still sticking to what I think and know.

Hey mimpi! I think that you know that I have no problem expressing my own opinion! I don't care who knows it either! I try to express it in a way that won't hurt anyones feelings, but I certainly don't hold back in saying what I feel or think about a subject! I have no problem in disagreeing with someone if I feel that is how I feel! I am confident enough to be able to feel comfortable in sharing my own beliefs and I don't take offense if someone doesn't agree with me. That is why we have freedom of speach. Everyone is entitled to have their own opinions and we should all feel comfortable in sharing them no matter what they are.

I am very opinionated, i think. But whenever i have opinions, i write them. Just like when i was still a member of our school paper. We look for events around campus and write about our views and opinions regarding the particular event.

We shouldnt be afraid of giving our own opinion, if not it would be useful. Its useless to answer always according other's taughts or else mylot for example would be used only for the purpose of earning money while infact there are other good purposes. Many of us have different lives, different backgrounds and different countries and way of living so im sure that all of us think of it in a different way. We can agree and we might not agree as well. Thats the best of it, we read different opinions and different point of views.

Yeah Mimpi, you're right. It's very important that we have to have our own thinking and opinion in every matter.. I believe everyone of us will have his or her thinking on every matters in life, either it's just a simple thing of whether the food taste nice, or to the extent of national affairs. It is just that sometimes people are lazy to even think and express their own opinion. They are more tend to follow what the crowd said and do whatever most of the people think so. For me, i've to admit that sometimes i'm also didn't express my point of view although i have my own opinion, and prefer to keep quiet instead of speak up and disagree with the majorities. For me, it is actually depends on the situation whether it is better to follow the majority or stand firm with your own opinion. Afterall, not every matter or not every piece of our opinion are absolutely correct. So, if the majority is already showing the proof and they're really correct, then it is time that we've to give up our wrong stand point and follow the crowd thinking.

Well, I have my own opinion and am guilty of expressing it with full knowledge that by expression therein or even mention of a different opinion than the one in question might cause the other party an intesne amount of pain. That is to say I don't care what other people think, am not sensitive to what they think...I like expressing my own views, which I are open to criticism. That makes me a bad man, so be it...I don't care

Hi Mou Hope u must be doing well Well, to be honest i will divide it in 2 parts personal interactions Professional interaction. In case of professional interaction, i am always straight, to the point and share my view based on my observation and experience, regardless its contrary toothers. While in persomal inrteraction, i am not that blunt, some times i dont like things of person, but i dont say it as it may hurt others, i either remain quiert or give diplomatic answer. To say a BLUNT NO is very hard for me Take care

I agree with you wholeheartedly mimpi! I do like to put my opinions across usually but if I feel that they may offend or hurt I avoid saying anything. It is such a fine line; part of me wants to have the freedom of being my authentic self at all times and not hold back my thoughts but I still find it difficult at times because there is always that underlying fear of disapproval. That's my honest opinion!

Hi Mimpi, Though we think we have our 'own' opinion, actually we do not have any. That we think is ours is the outcome of the collective conscience or a community conscuiousness. this might seem strange but the truth is that our opinions are formed in the mind like water getting filtered leaving the unwanted checked where it is to. But sometime that we go wrong opinion is because of the grossness in the thought process. Hence what we advance as our opinion is a collection of such data. We can claim to have ours when there is a perfect filtering in our stream of thoughts or else all is borrowed opinion.

I will say that people with their OWN opinion that speak out are the most interesting people I know. I am a little careful about picking my battles when I state mine, but I also have a big problem with just following the status quo. I think most people are worried about being dismissed by others when they state their own views and that bothers their self-esteem.

This is an interesting discussion that should bring up a lot of great responses. I believe that as an individual everyone should have their own opinion. Whether they express it or feel like they have to let others know of their opinion is something that is up to them for that matter. But if it's something that I truly stand by or know that it will not only benefit myself but others around me to voice my opinion I do so. But if the subject matter isn't really important to bother with for myself, I just leave it be. I do agree that this will not only increase our self-esteem but will also help us feel more confident in ourselves because we have an opinion and by expressing it, not only is it being heard by others but it is also being considered as an option.