Biting your tongue...

or should it be fingertips??

I was just wondering how everyone goes about what they post when it comes to controversial topics.

There are 2 or 3 things that I feel very strongly about that come up quite often on here- usually when I read anything about them my mind starts racing and I come up with all these things I want to say. I used to try and word them a way that was nice, then I got over that and started being more 'honest' and now I just avoid them full stop as I can never word it in a way that won't offend people that is still true to how I feel.

I think there is a difference between intentions- if you're posting something to make someone feel bad about their decision or calling them names then obviously thats not a good place to be coming from. But what about when you feel like someone is making an uninformed decision so you post information to give them all the facts so they can make an informed decision. Often those facts won't support that decision, and in turn may make that person feel bad, or hurt, or guilty or (especially in the hormonal world of woman and parenting- where we're always feeling bad or hurt or guilty anyway)... so even though your intention was good- it still has the same affect. Often that makes people defensive which can turn things nasty.

So what do you do when its a controversial topic or something you feel strongly about? Do you post the first thing that comes to your head? Do you have immediate feelings then try and word it in a more PC way? Are you just totally honest and write whatever you feel, darn the consequences? Do you just accept what ever anyones decision is and support it regardless of how you feel? Or do you avoid it totally?

This happens to me sometimes. I just read it and then avoid it and not post. I know if I post I won't be able to word my thoughts properly without causing offence to someone and then seeing the fallout of other peoples thoughts in the past, it's just not worth it because I can't be bothered with a fight with someone online

I would completely avoid controversial subjects... I am pretty blunt, and I have to re-read and re-word stuff alot to not come across as nasty as opposed to just straight-forward... the internet is difficult like that.

kebakat wrote: This happens to me sometimes. I just read it and then avoid it and not post. I know if I post I won't be able to word my thoughts properly without causing offence to someone and then seeing the fallout of other peoples thoughts in the past, it's just not worth it because I can't be bothered with a fight with someone online

Yeah I agree, Im the same.

I know!!!

I have to admit that there are things that wind me up sometimes, but I choose to ignore them. I dont have the energy to get into "arguements" with people on here....which is interesting as I am a very opinionated person IRL.

I think that sometimes there are people on here that "jump in boots and all" a bit quickly and althought their intentions are often good, I think it would pay for people to re-read their posts before they post them sometimes.....!

fattartsrock wrote: I get a bit annoyed with all the "sheep" like posts on here at times, not that I like conflict, but there never seems to be anyone post a differing opinion, and if they do, they get flamed for it.

I sometimes get annoyed by this also and I would voice my differing opinion if I didn't get flamed for it but I know I will so I keep it to myself rather than dealing with everyone ganging up on me for being different.

There's nothing wrong with stating your opinion. It is afterall just an opinion.

I try and post my reply responding only to the person that originally posted and raised the issue. I try and avoid getting into the who's right or who's wrong side of things. It's my opinion and I'm entitled to it as is everyone else.

In saying that there have been topics that I haven't posted on because people have become rude or because the topic was too close to home and I'd rather keep out of it.

Don't take things personally and don't make them personal. I'd say post your opinion, we base our own decisions on the opinions and decisions we've observed in others don't we? If it contradicts what others have said that's fine too. Just don't single people out and remember that we're all entitled to our opinion and that's it's very easy to misinterpret what a person is saying.

And with that I hope everyone is having a very happy, sunny and opinionated Friday.

Lol I've noticed the sheep like mentality too, its actually what motivated me to start this thread. I wondered if I was on my lonesome when it came to strong minded opinions or whether others had also decided to ignore them for the sake of peace.

I always think you word stuff so well Jen