It is absolutely Ok to disagree with someone if you do not have the same view. In creates room for an interesting conversation.Sometimes ignorance, arrogance and the inability to listen can prevent people sharing their views,which is a shame.
This is my opinion and I could be wrong!
Have a great day
-Kerryanne
:)

Hey Douglas,

I'm with you on this issue!

Once upon a time, I shared a post on my personal Facebook account from my personal blog ... an opinion I had on a particular subject (can't even remember what that was now, lol) and a fella who was a friend of my Facebook friend left me a two paragraph comment that IMPRESSED me so much that I asked him to do me a BIG favour and post his comment on my blog post for other visitors to read ... because he had brought such a great argument "to the table" ... and I truly wanted it on my post. He did and am VERY thankful.

Without controversy ... well ... I pro'lly wouldn't learn as quickly. :-))

Arguing an opinion was a technique my father taught me (and I miss that), and he proved to me that if you support your argument well enough, sometimes you can even change another persons view point.

However, I have learned (the hard way) to be EXTRA cautious when leaving comments on blog posts. Most authors HATE anyone else's opinion ... sad but true. Now, if I cannot agree with what is written, I simply leave without commenting.

Trish

It is a good point to bring up..It just seems that when points of view are being brought up it is not always in a friendly format so one side or the other takes offense...If it is a logical discussion with honest facts then it can be done as long as the tone remains friendly.. Keith

That's interesting you bring up this issue. It's good for you to vent. Everyone have their own point of view whether it is positive or negative. That what's make us unique and different. You make me think about my issue and someday I would like to write about my experience within WA. We are all one as friendly friends here.

Hi sorry I agree with you. I think it all depends on how you come across to someone. If you are disagreeing with someone but make it where they feel their points aren't valid or important. Then I think people become defensive but if you have a healthy debate on something nobody should take offense. Thanks for sharing.
Carol

I don't like conflict, but disagreement is something else. Its as you described it. Its healthy. I have always tried to have pretty negative people in my advisory group because I tend to be too positive about new ideas... not realistic enough. I think that disagreement is good as long as everyone realizes that the person is valued and so is the idea even if there is disagreement. For me, if my disagreement caused my to miss a great idea, i often went back, picked up that idea and thanked the person.

Because a lot of people these days believe that their emotional opinion trumps logical facts....Think with emotion react with emotion....Personally if someone gets all emotional over simple matters when presented with facts, I tend to avoid them. The same person will usually blow a wire or melt down in a truly emotional situation. Too much hard work and aggravation to be around such high strung people if you ask me lol.

In my humble opinion, and your free to disagree with me. there are a number of factors that influence how people react to disagreements.

1. would be delivery - sometimes, people delivering the contra argument aren't always tactful in their delivery and a disagreement can come across as a personal attack.

An old boss of mine was excellent at delivering a challenge or registering a disagreement in person because she did it with a smile and her intentions were clear.

A lot of disagreements nowadays happen online and there is nothing like text for misinterpreting someone's tone or misunderstand someone's meaning.

2. would be personal investment - you mention that you have the most disagreement with you family and loved ones and what they have is a personal investment in maintaining a positive relationship with you, which means they are likely to be more tolerant or see your challenges for what they are, an attempt to have good discourse on a topic.

If people aren't invested in you in any way they become less tolerant and sometimes completely belligerent!

I love nothing more than a good two sided debate which either changes my mind or consolidates my opinion, but in my opinion, people start conversations with a view to personal validation, which leaves them open to criticism or challenge and this is seen as an open attack.

The best debates I've had are around the kitchen table, over a good meal and few drinks. The worst are in a forum or on social media, where the constraints of civility are removed.

Maybe that's a third factor - social setting.

Your thoughts are welcome!

That's quite true. I often have to argue with ppl at my day job, and they can take personally and to levels that should never get reached. I'm sorry, but that saying. "Customers is always right," is wrong. Some ppl can't be reasoned with no matter how right you are or what eveidence, proof, whatever you may have. It's quite interesting and yet very annoying. Especially on an almost daily basis. Great subject matter to blog about :)

Douglas, great post, and question. Just this morning I talked with my husband about this issue.

People seem to be more and more "fixed" in their point op views and opinion. There seems no listening to the other person's opinion anymore.

We live in a "self=rightous" society or this is my way or the highway attitude.

This, of course, doesn't mean to get a person always away from their stands or on your site but at least think about what the other person tries to communicate should be a given.

We do live in a world of "political" correctness, oh man do I hate this word, lol, and because of that, people can't or won't agree, not even an inch, with someone else's viewpoint.

It is a shame, we could learn so much from each other by just listening and think about it first before opposing the other person what they have to say.

Well, this is just my 2 cents.
Sylvia