Do you formulate opinions about others?

[disykat]

It seems there are always people here who say they don't make any judgements on other people or get offended by things that other people do. I don't get it. I think EVERYONE formulates opinions - thus judging them - and some of those opinions will be that they find someone else's actions displeasing - thus they are IMO offended by them.

Is this just semantics, or are there truly people who go through life without noticing things about others and formulating opinions on them?

When I read these threads I realize that I am very judgemental and get offended pretty easily. That said, I've never felt the need to chase people down and give my opinion. I don't lose sleep, get my panties in a wad, or even really care that much - but that doesn't change the fact that I've noticed and made a judgement. IMO it's called formulating an opinion.

Without discussing any particular incidences (or recently closed threads), does anyone have any thoughts on this topic?

 

[skiwee1]

Well I am opinionated and therefore judgmental. IMO I think there are too many people out there that get offended from the most silly things. And yes that makes me have a not so good opinion of those easily offended. I guess I just can't imagine being bothered about what someone else wears as long as it isn't breaking any laws.

 

[Maleficent13]

Oh, sure, I have opinions about everyone I meet. Sometimes I don't care for someone's views and opinions. It doesn't mean that they offend me. I don't generally get offended. Just because I don't like you (or your views) doesn't, to me, mean I'm offended by them.

There are several posters that every time I read their posts I think, "Wow, XXX and I REALLY don't see eye to eye on this". Do I disagree with their view? Yes. Does it offend me that they hold that view? No. To each their own. Wear a stupid tshirt anywhere you want to. Doesn't matter to me. Make a derogatory statement about anyone you please. Doesn't bother me. All it serves is to make the wearer/speaker look dumb/ignorant/mean/nasty. If that's what they're going for, then hey. Their perogative.

 

[Deb in IA]

Well, yes, I do, but I get paid to do that.

I'm a doctor.

 

[mainewmn]

I think people in general get too worked up over petty things, but that’s me. I’m the type of person that does make opinion about others but allows others to do the same about me. Weather they agree or disagree with me does not bother me the least.

 

[Divamomto3]

It seems there are always people here who say they don't make any judgements on other people or get offended by things that other people do. I don't get it. I think EVERYONE formulates opinions - thus judging them - and some of those opinions will be that they find someone else's actions displeasing - thus they are IMO offended by them.

Is this just semantics, or are there truly people who go through life without noticing things about others and formulating opinions on them?

When I read these threads I realize that I am very judgemental and get offended pretty easily. That said, I've never felt the need to chase people down and give my opinion. I don't lose sleep, get my panties in a wad, or even really care that much - but that doesn't change the fact that I've noticed and made a judgement. IMO it's called formulating an opinion.

Without discussing any particular incidences (or recently closed threads), does anyone have any thoughts on this topic?

I just wanted to say that now not only am I a thread KILLER, but I"m the author of a LOCKED thread. I feel very bad about that!

A lot bothers me, I already knew that about myself. Without mentioning any particular things, I'd just like to clarify that my panties are not bunched, I didn't need a Xanax when I got offended recently, I didn't write my Congressman, or lose any sleep. I was merely pointing out that I thought something was in poor taste and it offended me. I can't believe that makes some people question my sanity!! It's not like I chased the kid down and tried to rip the shirt off his back! I didn't even give him a dirty look! I was just passing the time on the DIS and trying to start some conversation.

It seems like the people who never get offended, can't wait for the opportunity to belittle other people's feelings.

 

[disykat]

Just because I don't like you (or your views) doesn't, to me, mean I'm offended by them.

.

I guess it's semantics, because to me it sometimes does. For example, if I don't like a particular smell - I might say "I find that smell offensive". I think being offended can mean finding something annoying, displeasing, etc. I'm guessing maybe most people think "anger" when they speak of being offended?

 

[Chatter Box]

I TRY not to form an opinion about someone until I've spoken with the person, HOWEVER, it doesn't always work.

Certain people just by what they dress like, I form opinions. For instance, I saw a heavy set woman wear a tiny bikini and thought to myself, Wow you MUST not look at yourself in the mirror before coming to a beach, you actually think you look good in that?

 

[ChristmasElf]

I think you just have to consider a lot of things when reading posts.

The age of the poster as well as how they say things in a post. What you may post when you are 15 will most likely not be what you post when you are 30. Everyone has a need to feel accepted to a certain degree. No one likes to feel ignored or left out. Some people are also sensititive to everything that anyone ever says about them, to them, or with them, and you can't win either way.

 

[disykat]

See, I don't even believe people don't get offended. I have a different definition of the word. I don't think Offended = worked up, although it can be used that way. I think it can also be used in a much more mild fashion - meaning basically you don't like it.

 

[Christine]

I was merely pointing out that I thought something was in poor taste and it offended me. I can't believe that makes some people question my sanity!! It's not like I chased the kid down and tried to rip the shirt off his back! I didn't even give him a dirty look! I was just passing the time on the DIS and trying to start some conversation.

It seems like the people who never get offended, can't wait for the opportunity to belittle other people's feelings.

I think it went both ways in that thread. I can certainly understand why that T-Shirt would offend you. However, I can also see the other side of it and I did see some humor in it (a *very* small amount of humor). It is offensive, though, to a particular group--no way around it. But, I think people on that thread didn't like my explanation I why *I* found it "chuckle-worthy." When I tried to explain why a non-Catholic might find it a little funny, they took offense.

 

[Maleficent13]

I guess it's semantics, because to me it sometimes does. For example, if I don't like a particular smell - I might say "I find that smell offensive". I think being offended can mean finding something annoying, displeasing, etc. I'm guessing maybe most people think "anger" when they speak of being offended?

At least to me, that's what I think. To me, "offended" means I was angered, disgusted, repulsed, etc. Very strong emotions.

Things that are just annoying or displeasing I don't view as "offensive".

So maybe it is just semantics.

 

[skiwee1]

At least to me, that's what I think. To me, "offended" means I was angered, disgusted, repulsed, etc. Very strong emotions.

Things that are just annoying or displeasing I don't view as "offensive".

So maybe it is just semantics.

I agree with you. Offended to me means what you have said. I don't take offense to much of anything.

 

[jenm2878]

Yes I form opinions about others, but I am not easily offended. I am not easily offended because while I may think someone's opinion is WAY off from mine, I respect their right to disagree. It really does take alot for me to get worked up over something.

To address the post that said that many non-easily offenders get upset with easily-offenders (say that five times fast ) for myself, I think it is because the world is too politically correct. Someone will always be offended by something, and there is no making everyone happy. I worry about having children in a world that has decided that no one should ever be disappointed or offended. (a whole other thread) Sometimes you just want to shake the overly politically correct people and tell them to calm down. That being said, I am in no way condoning out and out disrespect. I myself chuckled at the t-shirt thread, but I can see where others would find it in poor taste. (and yes, I'm Catholic)

 

[Aidensmom]

To me, offended means that my feelings are hurt. So no, I am not offended by that many things, my feelings are not easily hurt.

I do form opinions, but that also does not neccessarily mean I am making a judgement. I think there is a difference, though I am not quite sure how to put it into words. I guess an example could be that I have the opinion that there are some posters on the DIS that are easily offended, but I don't make a judgement about that, meaning I don't see that as being either a good or a bad thing. Does that make sense?

 

[missypie]

Yes, I form opinions about others. I'm SO glad no one can read my mind, because my first impressions are often WRONG.

 

[Disney Doll]

Basically, if you say something that doiesn't agree with me, I don't get offended...I formulate the opinion that you are a jerk!!!

Now obviously I am kidding with my above statement.

In all seriousness, I think something is always going to offend someone, because the world is too PC.

Everyone forms opinions, everyone has prejudices...what matters is how much we try to "fight" them instead of always giving in to them...how we try and change our prejudices and stop our pre-judgements.

 

[kidshop]

I guess it's semantics, because to me it sometimes does. For example, if I don't like a particular smell - I might say "I find that smell offensive". I think being offended can mean finding something annoying, displeasing, etc. I'm guessing maybe most people think "anger" when they speak of being offended?

I think many people use offended to mean 'personally attacked'.

I am not easily offended. I just don't care that much what people think of me, and I don't pay much attention to what other people do when it doesn't affect me. Since I am so self-absorbed, I usually don't make judgements based on appearance. On boards like these, I try to correct gross misinformation I come across with facts, with the belief that this is somehow helpful! I can't control what someone feels in reponse to that sort of thing.