Quote:
Originally Posted by Ea
This made me a little puzzled. Do you say that you feel it's rude to comment negatively on things that one may not have a *lot* of knowledge about? I mean, even if you only have "textbook knowledge" you may very well have an opinion, it may even be an interesting opinion. Do you feel you should then refrain from commenting on e.g. life in the UK?
In the same vein, I wouldn't be able to state any negative opinion about religion because I am not religious myself so I don't exactly have insider knowledge. But what if I had negative opinions on religion? Shouldn't I be allowed to express them?
BTW, I'm not talking about comments along the line of "you're stupid" - that *is* frustrating - but comments put together with some thought behind them.
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You are absolutely correct that you are entitled to have an opinion whether that opinion is positive or negative. I tend to steer clear of religion and politics exactly because many people have such stong feelings and have usually already made up their minds on those subjects. Very little that I say regarding my own feelings will clarify my stance or change their's, so it's just better to keep the peace.
Religion in particular is a "Hot Button" topic for most people. I am a Christian, sub-category: Roman Catholic. It is what I am and what I believe. Do I think everyone should be Christian? No. Do I personally think that people who do not believe in God are wrong? Obviously yes. Do I feel I have the right to tell them that? Absolutely not nor do I have the right to make them feel bad about their beliefs. They are entitled to live their life however they choose just as I do.
I can only (and do only) speak for myself when I say I don't like to speak negatively on things I know little about. I've noticed many times that people who take a negative position, particularly about the USA, do so based on a very wide and general knowledge of the topic. Often, this lack of intimate knowledge forges an opinion that could be taken as offensive to the people who do have that knowledge. I know that I am a bit sensitive when Non-Americans discuss my country in a derogatory way based on a "snapshot" of what they see. I have not and will not comment publicly on the election process in places like Great Britain and France simply because I do not live there and know little about the problems facing the residents on a daily basis. Yet people from all over the globe took an active and, at times, vitriolic role in our last presidential election. That's not to say that I don't have an opinion about "global" matters. My family and friends can attest to the fact that I am very passionate in my opinions. I just don't discuss them publicly or attach absolutes to them as discussed by Lady Blue in her post.
However, I will admit that using a VERY touchy topic as my country probably wasn't the best choice to make my point about rudeness.
But to your original question about rudeness; no, I don't think it is rude to take a negative position. Taking one side or another on a topic is simply a choice. I personally prefer to speak on subjects I have a solid knowledge base from which to pull, particularly in an intellectual setting such as this forum and particularly when I am taking the negative viewpoint.
Kaz