Opinions...

**Russ** · 07-23-2008, 09:21 AM

... are like belly bottons. Everyone's got one and some have lint.

My point is, we have differing opinions on a lot of things, health care, religion, sex, which beer is better, the Cardinals are better than the Cubs... things like that.

But you know, I see quite a few people that get offended by another persons opinion. Why? Are they not entitled to their opinion? Are they not allowed to express it in the forums?

When I see a thread that piques my interest, I'll open it and respond if I desire. I am NOT responding for anyones approval or trying to get you on "my side". Do you? Is that your intent? To win an arguement or get people on your side? I am simply stating my opinion with ABSOLUTELY NO INTENT of offending the reader. If you feel I have offended you, I apologize, but it was not my intent and was not done maliciously.

Are you sure you read a post correctly in the way the poster intended? Maybe the poster is not as eloquent with his/her words as you are. I think a lot of misunderstandings happen with the choice of words.

I read a lot of the posts here and I am amazed at the number of people that get offended. It's MY opinion that nobody here posts ANYTHING with the intent to offend. They are simply offering their opinion/perspective/comments or whatever you want to call it because people ask. And they don't put qualifiers on it that say "only nice opinions please".

What do you think? Am I just blabbing away here with no grounds for this rant?

**freyadog** · 07-23-2008, 09:28 AM

Wonderfully said.

I see the bickering from time to time but I just bypass it. The forum is for opinions, help etc.

You can not please all the people all the time no matter how hard you try. So give help/opinions when you can and you have something to offer. Don't take offense when someone does not agree with you. It's THEIR opinion.

**Momto2Boyz** · 07-23-2008, 09:29 AM

Actually, this is one of the few boards I frequent where people really seem to get along. There are other boards where comments really get out of hand. I know there have been a few incidents here, where people get really upset, but I've always thought that most people here handle the advice and criticism well.

My thought is, if you don't want honest opinions, then maybe you shouldn't be posting the question! But then again...I'm not easily offended!

**Russ** · 07-23-2008, 09:32 AM

I believe some have left because they were offended. I'm not saying it doesn't and won't happen again either.

**frugalandsimple** · 07-23-2008, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by rcannon

... are like belly bottons. Everyone's got one and some have lint.

My point is, we have differing opinions on a lot of things, health care, religion, sex, which beer is better, the Cardinals are better than the Cubs... things like that.

But you know, I see quite a few people that get offended by another persons opinion. Why? Are they not entitled to their opinion? Are they not allowed to express it in the forums?

When I see a thread that piques my interest, I'll open it and respond if I desire. I am NOT responding for anyones approval or trying to get you on "my side". Do you? Is that your intent? To win an arguement or get people on your side? I am simply stating my opinion with ABSOLUTELY NO INTENT of offending the reader. If you feel I have offended you, I apologize, but it was not my intent and was not done maliciously.

Are you sure you read a post correctly in the way the poster intended? Maybe the poster is not as eloquent with his/her words as you are. I think a lot of misunderstandings happen with the choice of words.

I read a lot of the posts here and I am amazed at the number of people that get offended. It's MY opinion that nobody here posts ANYTHING with the intent to offend. They are simply offering their opinion/perspective/comments or whatever you want to call it because people ask. And they don't put qualifiers on it that say "only nice opinions please".

What do you think? Am I just blabbing away here with no grounds for this rant?

Well said. Or some may act like know-it-alls like their opinion is the right and only way.

Originally Posted by freyadog

Wonderfully said.

I see the bickering from time to time but I just bypass it. The forum is for opinions, help etc.

You can not please all the people all the time no matter how hard you try. So give help/opinions when you can and you have something to offer. Don't take offense when someone does not agree with you. It's THEIR opinion.

I agree. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Makes you wonder when they speak to their family & friends and they have a difference of opinion from them.

Originally Posted by Momto2Boyz

Actually, this is one of the few boards I frequent where people really seem to get along. There are other boards where comments really get out of hand. I know there have been a few incidents here, where people get really upset, but I've always thought that most people here handle the advice and criticism well.

My thought is, if you don't want honest opinions, then maybe you shouldn't be posting the question! But then again...I'm not easily offended!

I totally agree. FV is one of the most friendly and active forums I've came across. How boring we would be if we carried the same opinion on everything.

**FrugalMomof3** · 07-23-2008, 09:43 AM

I have heard of people leaving because they got offended, which I am sure was not the point.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion so please dont take offense, most often people post a "Need help" post and when we tell them something they dont want to hear they get upset, please note that this is NOT our intentions.

On that note, I love it here at FV, we all think differently, have different ways of doing things and I can always find great advice here, even if it's not what I want to hear. This is a family!

**nuisance26** · 07-23-2008, 09:44 AM

~I'm not offended when someone disagrees with me, but I am offended by certain tones, phrases, misinformation, rudeness and disrespect while they're disagreeing. A good mannered person repects other opinions in a non-condecending way. Many people here on FV are good mannered. It's my opinion that there are members here that do intend to stir the pot. That's what the ignore feature is for.~

**IntlMom** · 07-23-2008, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by rcannon

... are like belly bottons. Everyone's got one and some have lint.

My point is, we have differing opinions on a lot of things, health care, religion, sex, which beer is better, the Cardinals are better than the Cubs... things like that.

But you know, I see quite a few people that get offended by another persons opinion. Why? Are they not entitled to their opinion? Are they not allowed to express it in the forums?

well said......I love it here, different opinions and all!
oh, and after 3 laproscopic surgeries, I have a very FUNNY LOOKING BELLY BUTTON.........

**Darlene** · 07-23-2008, 09:52 AM

No prob here Russ.
Most of the words: they ,you, us,we, them etc. are used as general terms, not directed at any one person. Trouble starts when people take things personally. Or someone just won't move on, need to be "right" and wants to argue. They can't keep arguing if nobody plays the game.
I just say what I need to and move on, and take everyone else's opinions with a grain of salt. I don't have to agree and often go like this-> :yap: but I just continue on my merry way. Life is too short to sweat the small stuff.

**krissyre** · 07-23-2008, 09:54 AM

Actually, I find that I learn the most from the people whose opinions are completely contrary to mine. It really helps to expand my horizons, so to speak.

This is such a supportive community, it's rare that things get really nasty (that I've seen anyway, I'm not nearly as active on the boards as most people here). When people need help, it's given to them with a lot of sympathy and a little tough-love. That's the best way!

**tbs727** · 07-23-2008, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by nuisance26

~I'm not offended when someone disagrees with me, but I am offended by certain tones, phrases, misinformation, rudeness and disrespect while they're disagreeing. A good mannered person repects other opinions in a non-condescending way.

I completely agree. Those people are the reasons I have considered leaving. I don't care if it's someone's opinion is that the moon is made of cheese, but if they are hateful and flaming in their post, that's offensive.

**The Muse** · 07-23-2008, 10:06 AM

I totally agree with you. Last week, I stated my opinion on a thread. It was an unpopular opinion and I didn't post it as an attack, just an opinion. However, I was accused of things that I never said in my post. When I cited stats to try and explain the basis of my opinion, someone called me a mindless robot, which made me chuckle since I was the one expressing a minority opinion.

I don't expect to change anyone's opinion, only state mine and learn how others think by reading their opinions. If someone gets their knickers in a bunch over it, oh well! That's their choice. I certainly don't get offended or stress over whether or not my opinion offends others. It is what it is...an opinion.

**Bethany** · 07-23-2008, 10:09 AM

Hey, The Muse, I love that bag. I agree with those who have said it's not what is said, it's how it's said that can be offensive. I think we live in a culture that is "easily offended" and we ought to toughen up (myself included). However, I think that there are definitely some posts that are rude here. I've been personally offended when someone posted that my post should be disregarded because I have debt and the other poster was debt free. In other words, the debt free person's opinion was superior to mine.

**fernykins** · 07-23-2008, 10:27 AM

You know life is to short to get upset because someone thinks they are better then someone else..... I love the different opinions. That is what makes life interesting. Sometimes I agree and other times I don't, but mother mother always said think before you speak......(or write)
Fern

**TexasPeanut** · 07-23-2008, 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by rcannon

... are like belly bottons. Everyone's got one and some have lint.

My point is, we have differing opinions on a lot of things, health care, religion, sex, which beer is better, the Cardinals are better than the Cubs... things like that.

But you know, I see quite a few people that get offended by another persons opinion. Why? Are they not entitled to their opinion? Are they not allowed to express it in the forums?

When I see a thread that piques my interest, I'll open it and respond if I desire. I am NOT responding for anyones approval or trying to get you on "my side". Do you? Is that your intent? To win an arguement or get people on your side? I am simply stating my opinion with ABSOLUTELY NO INTENT of offending the reader. If you feel I have offended you, I apologize, but it was not my intent and was not done maliciously.

Are you sure you read a post correctly in the way the poster intended? Maybe the poster is not as eloquent with his/her words as you are. I think a lot of misunderstandings happen with the choice of words.

I read a lot of the posts here and I am amazed at the number of people that get offended. It's MY opinion that nobody here posts ANYTHING with the intent to offend. They are simply offering their opinion/perspective/comments or whatever you want to call it because people ask. And they don't put qualifiers on it that say "only nice opinions please".

What do you think? Am I just blabbing away here with no grounds for this rant?

Very well said. I am never offended by a persons opinions just as I would never want anyone to be offended by my opinion. They are only opinions not gospel, you aren't required to change your ways, habits or lives and live by another's opinion.

I think some people sometimes find it easier to rude, obnoxious, and over animated online because they are sitting behind a screen and not in front of the person they are bullying. While on the flip side some people are easily offended, hurt or po'ed because they may not be able to see the light-hearted humor in something, casual ribbing, the person's tone, a different opinion than theirs. When that happens the back and forth, people taking sides, elementary school yard behavior begins.

So far in my stay here at the Village it's been really nice compared to some places I've been on the internet where things do indeed get brutal. I like it here. I like the support and the differing opinions.