sometimes i feel like i should be more outspoken and opinionated, especially when i'm in situations where people around me are talking smack about things that i personally take offense to.

but i think it's wiser to consider where that would get me. would people really learn from what i have to say? would i open up any kind of meaningful dialogue? would i stand to gain anything from it? or would it just turn in to a nasty headbutting session that ends up in hurt feelings and resentments?

i think there is a point where it's perfectly acceptable to say, "okay, that's it, you're gonna hear from ME now," but mostly i think it's just as empowering for me to keep my mouth shut as it is to let it all hang out.

sometimes i feel like i should be more outspoken and opinionated, especially when i'm in situations where people around me are talking smack about things that i personally take offense to.

but i think it's wiser to consider where that would get me. would people really learn from what i have to say? would i open up any kind of meaningful dialogue? would i stand to gain anything from it? or would it just turn in to a nasty headbutting session that ends up in hurt feelings and resentments?

i think there is a point where it's perfectly acceptable to say, "okay, that's it, you're gonna hear from ME now," but mostly i think it's just as empowering for me to keep my mouth shut as it is to let it all hang out.

When's the last time someone pushed YOU to a place where you had to just plain break down the facts to them?

My general stance is that people have a right to think whatever they want. I don't have to agree with them - and I don't have a right not to be offended. I can choose whether to engage them or not. I get to decide how their words affect me.

I try to keep in mind that there are probably just as many opinions I hold that are offensive to someone else as there are opinions of others that are offensive to me.

But to be honest, it's rarely peoples' opinions that bother me. Their manner counts for a great deal more. Nobody likes to be made to feel stupid or wrong - particularly when all the other person has on their side is their own opinion.

My general stance is that people have a right to think whatever they want. I don't have to agree with them - and I don't have a right not to be offended. I can choose whether to engage them or not. I get to decide how their words affect me.

I try to keep in mind that there are probably just as many opinions I hold that are offensive to someone else as there are opinions of others that are offensive to me.

But to be honest, it's rarely peoples' opinions that bother me. Their manner counts for a great deal more. Nobody likes to be made to feel stupid or wrong - particularly when all the other person has on their side is their own opinion.

ZombieKitten said:

Are you on your way???

Anxiety said:

One of my co-workers has a habit of telling others how to do their jobs. She picked the wrong day to do it to me, and I let loose with f-bombs & b-bombs. Bitch had it coming, and I haven't talked to her since - she's dead to me(that was over a year ago).

Only time I bite my tongue is with family & friends, but I let it loose with strangers. I'm trying to do a better job of controlling my temper, but MFers keep dragging me back in.

still, though...sometimes it just feels like people want to corner you and force you down to their level. it's a disgusting feeling. it's a kind of violation as far as i'm concerned.

Ace said:

actually, the argument started because of that ho.

Anxiety said:

I don't see it that way at all. I see them climbing up to your perch trying to pull you down. It's OK to kick their ass the hell off!

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

but i'm not trying to invite anyone to my perch!

heybaby said:

i don't want to go into too many details. let's just say i've had to deal with someone who, for the past couple of years, has been very vocal about their socio-political views. and let's just say their political aesthetic runs a few inches to the right of archie bunker.

and for the past couple of years, i've kept my mouth shut, because i really haven't wanted to engage with this person about politics or social issues, because i knew i had nothing to say which could change this person, and i've already heard enough of their ignorant point of view to know they would NEVER be changing me.

but last week, they finally wore me down. in the middle of a "harmless" discussion, they slipped some prejudiced BS in the conversation and i finally let them have it. really, i just stated my opinion as calmly and as gently as i could, but that started to escalate, and it just got worse and worse until the reading of the beads was forced to happen.

i'm kind of like threadbare. i tend to prefer letting powers greater than myself take care of people who need to have lessons taught to them. god/fate/The Way/whatever you want to call it, that force in life does a better job of kicking people in the ass than i ever could.

still, though...sometimes it just feels like people want to corner you and force you down to their level. it's a disgusting feeling. it's a kind of violation as far as i'm concerned.

I was being stalked by an old co-worker for four years. I was in no position to do anything about it. Considering I thought it would totally be worth it to go to jail just so I could slap that bitch, never flipping out in her presence tells me I can pick my battles pretty well.

I read old bitches at Bingo all the time though I never strike first but strike me and you're getting knocked the hell out. Verbally of course



U edit!
[Edited 4/28/09 10:22am]

I don't go around people who I would have to cuss tha fuck out. Online, I just speak my mind, no matter what.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

What? Someone stalked you for four years? The bingo part, I wouldn't pay those old ladies no mind.

Anxiety said:

I know!
I was shoving and swearing myself.

CarrieMpls said:

I forgot about that

Vendetta1 said:

what about people you have no choice but to be around regularly? co-workers, people like that?

I don't go around people who I would have to cuss tha fuck out. Online, I just speak my mind, no matter what.

Vendetta1 said:

I won't name names but the look on somebody's face when you straight out said NO was priceless. She's rude!

I didn't notice I really don't!

angel345 said:

She was a personal friend of the boss and she treated the entire staff like filth. She was obsessed with me. On her last day I had to learn the distribution for some reports and as we were walking back from passing them out she says "I know you're happy I'm leaving". I didn't say a word and just kept smiling in the sun

And just because a lady is old don't mean I gotta let her shove me out of line and yell at me! I don't take no crap from old ladies. I'll cut them some slack but if evil is covered in wrinkled skin, I don't spare it.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Someone said I'm rude?


Do I like them? If not, fuck 'em.