Limitless Monday: How To Handle Unwanted Opinions

Limitless Monday – How to handle unwelcome opinions

Everyone has an opinion. A few months ago, I was having a quiet drink with my girlfriend minding our own business when a young lady sitting next to me began making small talk with us. She told us she was on a first date, a date that was obviously less than thrilling if she had to find entertainment by talking to us.

To begin with, her interruptions were cute. After ten minutes she became irritating. Then she went from asking questions like, “How long have you been dating?” to “What do you think of Mamdani?” the new liberal major of New York City. I have a strong opinion on Mamdani, however, it’s not something I want to discuss or share on a night out and particularly not with a stranger who was clearly looking to air her liberal views. Before I could abuse her the bar lady jumped in and said, “We have a rule here: no politics at the bar. If you can’t follow this rule you will have to leave.” That shut her up.

The fact is, I only listen to the opinion of people I respect and those I believe I can learn something from. If you don’t agree with my approach on this, I have to be honest with you, I don’t really give a sh*t. Your opinion will most likely count for nothing. I do not make it a habit of listening to morons who have achieved nothing in their lives and who have an addiction to the sound of their own voice.

I am also not interested in listening to the opinion of someone who is looking to discuss politics, religion or another subject which I find both boring and uninspiring and whose purpose is to start a debate at best and more realistically an argument.

The appropriate way to deal with such people is to knock them out mid-sentence, however, we are not animals, so I reluctantly either tell them to shut the f*ck up or walk away mid-sentence.

I try to avoid going toe to toe with antagonists unless I am itching for a fight or they say something so ridiculous that I feel it is my duty to correct these ignoramuses. Amazingly, once confronted I find these loud mouths are easily offended and often leave the verbal onslaught with, “Why do you have to be so aggressive?”

I was on a date once. One of the first things she said was, “I really hope you are not a Trump supporter or we will not be able to continue.” I somehow avoided answering the question directly because I reasoned I had only just started drinking my gin and tonic. Needless to say that comment irritated me, and there was no second date.

Of course, there are plenty of people who have had experiences and knowledge worth listening to. But like most things, there is a time and a place.

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I don’t go out in the evening looking for a fist fight. Equally, I don’t go out wanting to indulge in a contentious discussion on politics or another sensitive subject.

There’s a time and a place for both. If someone is looking to have such a conversation, then they should be treated as an unwelcome guest. Just as you would with someone trying to start a fight with you in an upmarket restaurant while you’re enjoying a cocktail with your girlfriend, treat that person the same way. End it quickly, walk away or act as though they don’t exist.

There is a time and place for opinions.

Happy Monday!

Banner Image: Presided Obama talks politics in its proper place.  Image Credit – History in HD