'its just my opinion'

[Cocklodger]

May well get a flaming for this but I feel that this is used to absolve responsibility in what people say.
Particularly with inflammatory statements. For example
''I think JSA claimants are lazy, just my opinion'
''I think refugees don't NEED to be here and should be refused entry. They have PHONES! just my opinion...''
Its also used with racist/Britain first esque posts on Facebook for example.
If you attempt to debate or argue their point of view, they use it as a get out clause, 'well I SAID its only my opinion'' well yes I'm well aware that you're not directly responsible for the DWP, Immigration department etc etc but surely you should take a bit of responsibility for what you think or believe?
AIBU to think people hide behind this statement far too often and really bloody shouldn't??

[Houseofmirth66]

YANBU. It's almost as bad as people who are homophobic, rascist or generally bigoted because it's their 'faith'. So that's alright then.

[NotMe321]

YANBU. It's often used by people who are perfectly well aware that what they're saying is bigoted or offensive and they're trying to fend off criticism. It's often followed by something like "and I've got a right to express it" with a reference to their right of free speech. What they tend to forget is that everyone else has the right to express the opinion that they're an arsehole.

[StrawberryMummy90]

YANBU!

[NeedACleverNN]

anyone can have an opinion on anything

Doesn't mean you should always voice it

There's having an opinion and knowing when to keep your mouth shut

[bearofnothingness]

well yes but i think it's better to hear people's opinions whether you agree with them or not, not everyone wants to be debate their point but hopefully they will read and learn if need be?

[bearofnothingness]

why keep your mouth shut? we don't live in a communist country, free speech should be just that

[MolesBreathless]

YANBU

We do live in a more democratic society these days, in which the views of people who previously didn't have a voice are now heard, which is definitely a good thing.

I do, however, sometimes think it has gone a bit too far and we are moving towards a position in which all opinions are considered equal.

I'm all for everybody having an opinion and having that opinion listened to, but I also think we need to consider how much weight we give to ill-informed and ignorant ones.

I seem to say this quite a lot on here, but the Brexit debacle was a prime example of this; 94% of all the economists the BBC interviewed thought it was a terrible idea, but in the interests of 'balance' the BBC ensured that for every 'remain' view they broadcast, they also found a 'leave' voice, this completely ignoring the split in the expert opinion.

A fine idea, taken too far IMO

[MajesticSeaFlapFlap]

'It's not what I would do but if it works for you...'

Is just as Shite

[NeedACleverNN]

Why keep my mouth shut? Because some things are better left unsaid

[JeanGenie23]

I don't believe it's right to censor people, or 'keep their mouths shut', like it or not, we have the freedom of speech and people do have the right to voice their feelings.

I do however believe wholeheartedly in managing ones behaviour. Often people enjoy saying controversial things for reaction, it's not always their true opinion, and if it is, just smile and say you feel differently.

[bearofnothingness]

what sort of thoughts are better left unsaid need a clever nn

[Gwenci]

YANBU, this is right up there with people who say 'I'm just straight talking, I always tell the truth', no, you're a dick with no sense of empathy and your inability to tell feeling-sparing white lies makes you a knob, not some kind of truth telling saint.

[NeedACleverNN]

Well I'm not going to say them if I think it's better unsaid now am I?

[ChaseAvenal]

I read an article a long time ago called something like 'Your opinion can still be wrong.' which made some good points on this matter.
As a general rule I usually avoid interacting with people who say things like you mentioned as I feel our views can never be reconciled, but if I was to respond, it'd be along the lines of 'that may be your opinion, but my opinion is x and you need to respect that too' or even 'and my opinion is backed up by fact y'.

[littleprincesssara]

YANBU

Everyone has the right to an opinion, but there is nothing in any law that means you don't have to suffer the consequences of voicing that opinion. If you voice a racist opinion, people will call you racist, obviously. The types who scream about freedom of speech evidently don't have the slightest clue what it actually is.

Besides, some things are simply not a matter of opinion, but a matter of objective fact. You can choose to voice the opinion that the sky is green or that rabbits are flying animals if you like, doesn't change the fact that you are factually, objectively wrong.

[bearofnothingness]

what sort of topics though? religion? supermarket choice? like on mn what's the point of aibu, there is no intelligent debate just yabu or yanbu it just seems to be pointless posting in the first place

[t4nut]

Its akin to those who use the phrase 'I'm not racist but...' and then proceed to he racist.

Yes its your opinion, but that doesn't stop it from being wrong and stupid. And if you say something wrong and stupid expect to have it challenged.

[WrinklyBathToes]

Equally, 'I'm not being funny but...' usually comes before some outrageously offensive shite.

[StopMakingMeLogOn]

Wrt Brexit, it was actually very important that the media were forced to give each side equal airtime. If that was removed, you would have a situation where TV channels presented the views of the people paying their bills (rather like newspapers). This would be massively damaging to the presentation of unbiased news.

Even 'experts' are often just giving their opinion, albeit ones based on their education and skills. This is esp when discussing events which have never happened before and where there is no absolutely guarranteed outcome.

Just my opinion of course

[silvermantela]

and not to forgot 'no offense but...' before something obviously offensive. They must realise it could be offensive to need to add the disclaimer!

[YorkieDorkie]

YANBU. It's right up there with "well you clearly don't have kids" in my book.

ALSO NOT A FUCKING ACCEPTABLE THING TO SAY.

[SaskiaRembrandtWasFramed]

YANBU.