To wonder if posters who are totally convinced they are right...

[Mrsmorton]

...expect people to stop and say "you know what, you're right, can we lock this thread now because we've got our answer"?

Some people are so totally opinionated that I wonder why they are even on a discussion forum because they only get irritated and insulting when their statement opinion is questioned?

My husband does this sometimes and it annoys me to distraction.

What's so wrong with being able to see things from someone else's point of view? A bit of debate? A bit of questioning? Instead it's just "bollocks, that's wrong".

AIBU to think we can all learn something from everyone around us if only we open out eyes and ears?

usual.

If FACTS are used, then no, I absolutely won't back down. I am terrible for this, and get far too 'dog with a bone' about subjects. If I 'know I am right' I get very frustrated with people who then change the subject, backtrack or jump on to another track, simply because they can't say "Oh, I didn't know that" or even "Oh I didn't know that - my feelings haven't changed on the matter, but thanks for the info".

If it is an OPINION, then I am totally open to changing my mind. I have learnt so much since I have been on MN, simply because it is so diverse in its membership. I have great respect for a number of posters who are knowledgeable about their subjects, I like learning, and have discovered so many facinating facts, just by reading threads.

I like listening to posters that are passionate about their subjects and those who use their own experiences to teach/inform others. If everyone agreed all of the time life would be boring (and there would be no need for AIBU )

I cannot change my opinion instantly, even when presented with rational argument.

If it seems important, I have to move away from a thread and reflect on all that was said, it can take me two days before I finally change.

When I do, and if the thread is still active, I'd like to think I'd go back and 'fess up.

Who was it (American I think) said "everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts"? Mind you, not everyone accepts even that basic distinction - I remember watching with amusement, bemusement and horror as a "young earth creationist" tried to debate here on mumsnet.

Doesn't the fact that life isn't so black and white have anything to o with it. As humans we need to debate and put the world to rights. Closing down a thread surely means it is preventing a discussion. It depends how contentious the thread is of course!

But then from the threads I've seen since I started lurking (I've not been a member for long) there have been very few threads where everyone has been in agreement, there have even been a number of threads where the original poster has pointed out where people have misunderstood and those being contradicted still won't admit they are wrong!

Someone else mentioned rudeness, disagreements are to be expected but out and out rudeness is disgusting.

I don't really understand your point.

I am never going to alter my opinion that cucumber is disgusting and that tutoring for grammar schools is wrong. Just aint gonna happen.

But Mintyy the OP has facts!

Apparently.

Totally with Mintyy there. That one won't change either.

I like reading some of the heated threads. Very interesting where everyone is coming from, and many people clearly shaped by their own experiences/backgrounds. Sometimes they do give me a perspective on something which I had never thought of.

But Mintyy, I used to hate cucumber and now I love it, and even worse I am considering tutoring one of my DC for grammar school, though had I lived somewhere else I would have been so opposed to it. So you might be me in 10 years

How can you not love Boots cucumber facial range MInty? or the 'Yes! To Cucumbers' shower gel.

T'is not natural .

I'm laughing at minty, I love cucumber but parsnips can fuck right off. I'm not going to call you an arsehole for your opinion that cucumber is minging though!! I will respect your opinion.

The grammar school thing though possibly has more scope for debate and (although I agree with you) I hope you would listen to the opinion of other posters if you had put your feelings into a thread about it whilst remaining civil and not being openly offensive?

If there's a thread about a topic very close to my heart and about which I know I will never change my mind, I don't tend to post on it bcse I just know it will make me angry.