How often are you "on the fence"? (love, personal, issues)

[SeaOfGrass]

I'm often accused of having no opinion, or being afraid of having an opinion, because I can see both sides of an issue. Do any of you experience this?

[rubber_factory]

On the fence? Yes, all the time.

Accused of having no opinion, or being afraid of having an opinion? - extremely rare for me

Being able to see both sides of a situation is just basic intrapersonal skills. It is a small-minded person who can't see or accept any point of view but their own.

In your case, maybe it is your ability to communicate your contrarian opinion that is the issue? That can be a difficult thing to do.

[SeaOfGrass]

Originally Posted by rubber_factory

On the fence? Yes, all the time.

Accused of having no opinion, or being afraid of having an opinion? - extremely rare for me

That's how I feel. It's not that I don't have an opinion or can't make a decision, it's that I can honestly see/feel both sides.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by SeaOfGrass

I'm often accused of having no opinion, or being afraid of having an opinion, because I can see both sides of an issue. Do any of you experience this?

While there are subjects I'm not sure where I stand on for these reasons, I'm normally quite opinionated. However, I don't care much for debating and trying to convince other people. I usually say what I have to say and leave it at that. It's a waste of time and energy attempting to convince anybody of anything and it's certainly not my prerogative. It also tends to annoy me, so there's no good motive for doing it. I posted for a short time in the Politics forum and then said to myself: what is wrong with you?! Do you not have enough irritants in your life?!

I feel like being "on the fence" before making major decisions due to being afraid of taking the wrong turn, which is often the case.

[cricket_factor]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

While there are subjects I'm not sure where I stand on for these reasons, I'm normally quite opinionated. However, I don't care much for debating and trying to convince other people. I usually say what I have to say and leave it at that. It's a waste of time and energy attempting to convince anybody of anything and it's certainly not my prerogative. It also tends to annoy me, so there's no good motive for doing it. I posted for a short time in the Politics forum and then said to myself: what is wrong with you?! Do you not have enough irritants in your life?!

I feel like being "on the fence" before making major decisions due to being afraid of taking the wrong turn, which is often the case.

I want to give you some rep, but I have to wait! I totally agree.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by SeaOfGrass

That's how I feel. It's not that I don't have an opinion or can't make a decision, it's that I can honestly see/feel both sides.

You must be a libra

[samston]

Originally Posted by SeaOfGrass

I'm often accused of having no opinion, or being afraid of having an opinion, because I can see both sides of an issue. Do any of you experience this?

no, i always offer my opinion on things. IMO, the key is doing this diplomatically.

[Twinkle Toes]

No. I am quite opinionated and not afraid to argue my point. However, as a lawyer, I can and do see both sides of an argument, but it is my job to choose a side and stick with it - while still being able to calculate the who-what-where-why-and how of what the other person is going to argue before theu argue it.

[SeaOfGrass]

Originally Posted by rubber_factory

In your case, maybe it is your ability to communicate your contrarian opinion that is the issue? That can be a difficult thing to do.

Yes, sadly this might be true.

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

While there are subjects I'm not sure where I stand on for these reasons, I'm normally quite opinionated. However, I don't care much for debating and trying to convince other people. I usually say what I have to say and leave it at that. It's a waste of time and energy attempting to convince anybody of anything and it's certainly not my prerogative. It also tends to annoy me, so there's no good motive for doing it. I posted for a short time in the Politics forum and then said to myself: what is wrong with you?! Do you not have enough irritants in your life?!

I normally feel the same way, but then again, I have changed my views on certain issues and so maybe listening to opposing viewpoints helped change my mind. But, for the most part, I agree. You get together with people, someone says, "What do you think about so-and-so," and off you go back and forth for the next hour.

Originally Posted by lovesMountains

You must be a libra

Aquarius, actually, whatever that means...

Originally Posted by Twinkle Toes

No. I am quite opinionated and not afraid to argue my point. However, as a lawyer, I can and do see both sides of an argument, but it is my job to choose a side and stick with it - while still being able to calculate the who-what-where-why-and how of what the other person is going to argue before theu argue it.

Well, I've been told I think like a lawyer. Sometimes during an argument, the other person will say something and in my head, I'm thinking, Oh, you just blew it, you should have said this...

[mjohnson4381]

I think that's stupid. Anyone who only cares about one side of an issue is closing him/herself from new ideas. And when they do that, they're really just closing themselves off from the possibility of evolving into a more enlightened person. Sometimes people have opinions and they have no idea where they got those opinions or why they have them. They're equally stupid.