Whats your opinion on having an opinion?

You haven't lived unless you're buying artisan tap at £6.48 a pint.

 

For the political stuff I suppose it just depends if it affects you.

The government have made a lot of people poor over their decade in power, and those newly poor people have every right to hold a strong and unwavering opinion.

That’s my take on it.

 

It appears from your post IMO you may be more suited to not following Barnsley fc

 

Its your round

 

Pints? You luddite! ;-)

 

I've not had a beer in Wetherspoons since he went on a rant about the shortage of bar staff last year, however, we did go in one last year to use their toilet. I thought it was most appropriate....

 

End of thread?

 

I believe every one has a right to one"s own opinion, however I find people who insist on trying to ram their opinions down your throat because they believe above all they are right are the ones to avoid & usually these are people with ultra strong political or religious views & that is why I avoid discussions on both subjects, but by the same token courtesy costs nothing & you should always respect some ones opinion even if you totally disagree with them .

 

Agree with this - I used to be very opinionated when I was younger and used to get irate if people didn't agree with what I was saying but I think ageing mellows you in this regard - I still have opinions now but if people disagree I totally accept this and no longer get worked up about it - I think at the end of the day each and every individual makes decisions based on opinions that are important to them and what is best for them and I totally respect that - life is just too short to get into a state because someone has an opinion opposed to the one you have - the only things I care about these days is the health of my family, the health of myself and that I have enough money to pay the bills do the things in life that I love to do like the odd round of golf, have a decent meal once in a while, watch Barnsley get hammered again etc etc -

 

I think this is an excellent, thought-provoking post, thank you.

I think you are right in that you do choose your approach to life. Also, everyone has opinions, and just because you don't think yours are 'as strong or passionate as others' doesn't mean that you don't care, it could just suggest that you have learned to manage your reaction to things in a more measured, constructive way. Also, nobody knows your story or what you've been through; you may have had so much thrown at you in the past that a level of apathy has built up, or a robustness that doesn't allow you to instantly react in opposition to something you don't agree with. We see many cases of that in modern life - kneejerk reactions; an obsession with being right over genuine debate and trying to find some common ground, to the point where relationships actually break down because of people's stubborness, pride, ego, and unwillingness to back down or meet in the middle. It's sad.

I've experienced it myself, where the mere mention of someone that I like sparked such indignation (due to something they had read about them on Twitter) that the rage I was faced with forced me to change the subject. He defined that person by a single quote on Twitter, and what started as a light-hearted conversation ended with a feeling of alienation. His anger, and move towards needing to always 'be right', makes me not want to engage with him (I won't say who it is but it's someone very close to me). I think an open heart and a willingness to shed ego are two things we should all strive for in order to sustain relationships and open debate. I also think getting too emotional, regularly falling out with people, and shouting into the ether/echo chamber, just creates more division and deviates from opportunities for unity as a human race.

 

I'm quite happy for others to hold an alternative viewpoint to me. What makes me smile is when freedom of speech is trotted out if someone holding a certain opinion is challenged by another who thinks differently. It's more a case of avoiding criticism, rather than championing freedom of speech.
I'm quite relaxed about the decisions I've made about continuing to follow Barnsley Football Club. I would much rather carry on buying a season ticket (as I've done since the 1960's), but feel strongly enough about the current situation not to do so any longer. If others think differently, that's fine. It's their decision and right and I'll show them no disrespect. I'm not wishing to influence others in any way. Who am I do that? I'm not a better, more loyal fan, with a greater footballing knowledge than others due to the decades of supporting the club. It simply means I'm old. There'll be no sneering, patronising, condescending criticism to towards others simply for thinking differently to me.
However, by the same token, it'd be nice if that would also be reciprocated.

 

Gay

 

Excellent post.

It's fine to have a strong opinion on one topic or another.

But it's better to have an inner equilibrium that keeps it all in context. A self administered chill pill, once you've got it off your chest.

 

Absolutely, Roy.

 

I know you wouldn’t have expected anything else Kev

 

One day, you'll be at the receiving end of one of my bear hugs, old mate.

 

Only if you’re wearing your pink leotard

 

As some Roman Emperor dude once said,