Unfriend those with different opinions?
By moonchild117
@moonchild117 (1987)
Philippines
April 19, 2016 7:22pm CST
Have you ever experienced unfriending or being removed from your friends circle because you had differing views?
Lately, I've been seeing friends from my social media account saying that they will unfriend certain people. It's election season here in the Philippines, and some have been very vocal about their chosen candidates and pointing out the negatives on their opponents. Of course, the normal reaction is to have a discussion, which becomes lengthy because you'll see them debate with a friend. And then, all of a sudden, they will say that the people who have strongly expressed their opposition or have called them out will be unfriended.
I'm like, "really?" They'll resort to removing people from their friends list just because they're not on the same page? What happened to friendship?
I wonder if, after the elections and a new leader is announced, they'll be friends again?
How about you? Have you ever experienced this, when you've stopped being friends because you had different opinions on something?
6 people like this
9 responses
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
26 Apr 16
No, because I do not engage them in such a heated commenting. I just respect their decision, and ignore what they have been saying out of courtesy to them.
1 person likes this
@Letranknight2015 (51957)
• Philippines
25 Apr 16
Ahh, I remember back in 2010 when I supported my candidate, they were debates here left and right. However, this year, I just silent and went into other things. I've discovered i got green thumb and had two puppies recently. Right now political elections are all negative vibes to me that I chose not to campaign for some one. well, we just didn't talk about politics, even back in 2010.
1 person likes this
@moonchild117 (1987)
• Philippines
26 Apr 16
That's a nice way to channel your energies: taking care of the puppies and plants. 
Debates are okay, as long as each side has mutual respect. Some people just lost that, I guess.
Debates are okay, as long as each side has mutual respect. Some people just lost that, I guess.
@moonchild117 (1987)
• Philippines
21 Apr 16
Me, too. I think I've only posted a few but it wasn't because I was campaigning for or against a candidate. It's usually because I find those posts informative and unbiased.
I'm actually getting tired of seeing election-related posts on my FB, especially the ones about painting opponents in a bad light. I mean, if they want me to vote for a certain candidate, show me the reasons why I should, like platforms that candidate has for every sector and plans for the country.
1 person likes this
@moonchild117 (1987)
• Philippines
21 Apr 16
@MGjhaud That's true. Too much smear campaigns, especially that's we have about 2 weeks to go before the elections.
And yeah, FB posts are getting rabid as well. 
1 person likes this
@Mike197602 (15505)
• United Kingdom
20 Apr 16
I am a member of FB and twitter but I rarely go to either place.
I just relate everything back to mylot
Having followers/follows with different opinions leads to good discussions.
On more social type site like FB I've not experienced unfriending as I don't post anything to get unfriended.
When friends have very different opinions that can lead to the breakdown of the friendship depending on what that friendship is built on.
Having followers/follows with different opinions leads to good discussions.
On more social type site like FB I've not experienced unfriending as I don't post anything to get unfriended.
When friends have very different opinions that can lead to the breakdown of the friendship depending on what that friendship is built on.@moonchild117 (1987)
• Philippines
20 Apr 16
I also refrain from posting election-related stuff on my social media accounts. Not only because I want my posts to be calm and peaceful (hehe!) but also because I'm still not sure who to support among the presidential candidates here.
It's sad that some people really choose to unfriend their "friends," even those that have known each other for quite some time. It's even shocking that you see them argue not just about their chosen candidates but also attack each other's characters.
1 person likes this
@Mike197602 (15505)
• United Kingdom
20 Apr 16
@moonchild117 you can argue freely on here with people who aren't necessarily personal friends.
Leave FB alone and come on here more
1 person likes this
@moonchild117 (1987)
• Philippines
20 Apr 16
@Mike197602 Yeah, I should avoid that for now. I'll check FB after the elections.
Yup, had my share of debates here on myLot. I'm glad that people here are more open-minded.
Yup, had my share of debates here on myLot. I'm glad that people here are more open-minded. 1 person likes this
@moonchild117 (1987)
• Philippines
20 Apr 16
Whoa, that's a lot.
I guess on the brighter side of things, at least you now know who your real friends are.
1 person likes this
@moonchild117 (1987)
• Philippines
21 Apr 16
@theBlock I'm pretty sure there are people who love you for who you are. Even if they're just a handful, at least they're the real ones who'll stick to you through thick and thin.
1 person likes this
@NJQueen (4)
• United States
20 Apr 16
That just goes to show the friendship rating system used by the majority. It's sad that people only tend to like people who agree with them. I always thought that variety was the spice of life. Furthermore, how boring would the world be if everyone liked the same things all the time...blah. The sad fact is that I've been unfriended just because I've had a life changing experience, people don't respect what myself and my family are going through and they're just shallow. Real friends stick with you through thick and thin.
@moonchild117 (1987)
• Philippines
20 Apr 16
Sad to hear about that. But at least it's an eye-opener for you, now you know who your real friends are. You're right, it's so boring to be in the company of people that think alike. I like friends who are not just supportive of me and my likes but also challenge my perception in things.
1 person likes this
@moonchild117 (1987)
• Philippines
21 Apr 16
@NJQueen And that is how a good friend should be. They won't condone the wrong things you did and still nurture the friendship.
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
25 Apr 16
That's the sad reality of the intensity of Philippine politics. Relatives and family are even divided along political lines.
@moonchild117 (1987)
• Philippines
27 Apr 16
So true! But at least with family, you can't "unfriend" them, hehe!
1 person likes this
@gullver (561)
• Egypt
20 Apr 16
In my opinion there is only one case that i will not consider cancelling friendship is bad thing , and this case is Treason , i have done that before i cancelled friendship with somebodies , I'm Egyptian, and i think you know who is my president , not because of his achievements but because of his crimes , how can i be a friend with someone support a leader killed thousands of my own people , thousands of my brothers , but in particular in your case i think these guys have done a bad thing , no strong reason calls them to do that.
@moonchild117 (1987)
• Philippines
20 Apr 16
Treason and betrayal -- if someone did that to me, I'd unfriend that person, too.
Since it's election season here, it can't be helped that supporters will throw nasty issues against opponents: that the other candidates are corrupt, inefficient, inexperienced, or even crazy. And some of these supporters, who are my friends personally and on social media, are really throwing the mud, so to speak, to the point of removing people on their friends list because they don't agree. I just hope that after the elections, things will be good again between them.
1 person likes this
@balraj789 (12)
• Visakhapatnam, India
20 Apr 16
F and F such type of friends you know what i mean, you feel me........
@moonchild117 (1987)
• Philippines
21 Apr 16
It's just sad that you have to break friendships just because you don't have the same points of view.
