Why do you voice your thoughts/opinions?

[GLC1968]

If we were talking opinions on movies, restaurants, which season of the year is the best, whether I need a new bike and if so what kind... well those are opinions I share for the sake of sharing useful information or just making conversation. But from reading this thread so far, we're not talking about those kinds of opinions.

I generally refrain from discussing my opinions on hot topics. In part this is because I don't expect to change the minds of anyone who disagrees with me -- I'm not very good at being persuasive and frankly I don't think most people are open to changing their opinions. I think most of the people I know who do discuss politics, religion, etc are either assuming I agree with them or hoping I agree with them/validate them. I am also non-confrontational -- I just don't like to argue with people.

This.

In fact, differing opinions on basic lifestyle choices (and people's need to share) is ultimately the reason we left Greensboro, NC for the PNW. It's amazing how where you sit on the political spectrum can be viewed so differently depending on the opinions of those around you. When we moved here, we weren't necessarily looking for others who were just like us except for maybe in their ability to tolerate all types. Diversity makes life interesting.

[ny biker]

Diversity makes life interesting.

I totally agree, though I suspect that some people I know find it downright unsettling.

[Pax]

I so miss diversity! People from different backgrounds, different races/creeds/orientations, different world views.

[Crankin]

More than downright unsettling. A lot of people find diversity agitating and scary. Anything or anyone different from themselves is seen as alien. There are members of my own extended family whom I have actually seen get visibly shaken/frightened when seeing a physically handicapped child enjoying time on a beach. These same people see those who speak other languages as "weird." When I mentioned that both of my children are fluent in other languages and it is an asset for them in the real world, well, they were silenced for a minute, and then told that it was OK, because they learned it in school.
Huh?

[OakLeaf]

I so miss diversity! People from different backgrounds, different races/creeds/orientations, different world views.

Oh man, you triggered a memory from 35 years ago when I was newly out of college and living in a small Ohio River town, working in a natural food store. There was a small college and a couple of freeway exits, so once in a while non-local people would come in to shop. On the rare occasions when a nonwhite person or a same-sex couple would walk into the store, I'd feel like Dorothy landing in Oz, with everything all of a sudden in color.

[Helene2013]

I'm glad to have worked for the most part of my life in offices where multi-cultural, diversity, same-sex, etc were all business as usual. And now in this law firm, they even created a diversity committee and they are very strong about it. For me, all of this is "normal". I don't know if because Montreal is already so diversified that I never felt any other way. Many of my friends are gays, lesbians, black, ethnics, various religions and I could not care less. To me, they are humans just like me. With their goods and their flaws. I love my "world". But I cannot say the same about my 2 siblings (brothers) who are 100% opposite of me. That is one the reasons they are no longer in my life. I have nothing to gain from haters and such.

[Pax]

Oh man, you triggered a memory from 35 years ago when I was newly out of college and living in a small Ohio River town, working in a natural food store. There was a small college and a couple of freeway exits, so once in a while non-local people would come in to shop. On the rare occasions when a nonwhite person or a same-sex couple would walk into the store, I'd feel like Dorothy landing in Oz, with everything all of a sudden in color.

I hear you! I saw a gay couple at the grocery store recently, they were black, I almost ran over and hugged them. LOL Instead I contented myself with grinning like an idiot at them, they grinned back just as big.

[GLC1968]

I hear you! I saw a gay couple at the grocery store recently, they were black, I almost ran over and hugged them. LOL Instead I contented myself with grinning like an idiot at them, they grinned back just as big.

This makes me look for a 'like' button!

I just recently dyed my hair partially teal and a good portion of it is shaved to a '2'. I cannot wait to go to the corporate offices of my company (in Greensboro, NC again!) and see the reaction I get from the predominantly white, male, old-boy network. I expect shocked looks and if I don't get it, I'm going to be disappointed!

[Blueberry]

I just recently dyed my hair partially teal and a good portion of it is shaved to a '2'. I cannot wait to go to the corporate offices of my company (in Greensboro, NC again!) and see the reaction I get from the predominantly white, male, old-boy network. I expect shocked looks and if I don't get it, I'm going to be disappointed!

This needs a photo (Facebook, perhaps?). Sounds cool!

[Trek420]

I so miss diversity! People from different backgrounds, different races/creeds/orientations, different world views.

This. It's one of the things I miss about the Bay Area. I love the PNW but it's oh so very white where we are. Whether it's food, friends or community I find myself wondering "where is everybody?". That's the other thing about the move to a new condo we're considering, we just made an offer. What will the community be like there?

[salsabike]

On a completely frivolous note, and in the best thread drift tradition, here's my current haircut, which I think is kind of a hoot. (Sorry about that tongue-sticking out--just a photo by-product ).



And on a more thread-relevant note: Sometimes I voice my opinion after I've heard a cluster of the-same-opinions from a group of people, when I become concerned that different points of view aren't on the radar.

[Pax]

Trek - hope the new place is full of great stuff, and no whacko neighbors!

Salsa - Love the cut... and the drift.

[Trek420]

Trek - hope the new place is full of great stuff, and no whacko neighbors!

Thanks. There's always one in the complex but it's never been a paranoid schizophrenic deposed nun before. :roll eyes: The new place is around some great stuff and of course near the Burke Gillman. Right now it's up to the seller. We should hear in a day or so if they take our offer. If they don't accept it, we'll find another. Knott is nervous about it but it'll work out, this one or another spot. We go back to court to extend the restraining order on CCN (crazy condo neighbor) on Thursday.

Salsa - Love the cut... and the drift.

Love the cut, Salsa. Very fun.