It is just a matter of opinion
John FitzSimons, the former highly regarded sports editor of this newspaper, was known for having an opinion… well, he would, wouldn’t he! But in conversation John always expressed a certain type of an opinion – a qualified opinion. The skilful scribe always used the words, ‘in my humble opinion’. Personally, I don’t believe there was anything humble about the man, but his ‘humble opinion’ often took the sting out of the necessity to disagree with you.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion and it is in the sharing of opinions we find the most invigorating of conversations. Dare I say that writing an opinion column can stimulate thought and encourage others to voice their own opinions. It is a pity that more readers don’t avail of the letters page to have their say in return.
We don’t need to voice an opinion on everything. Such a person – especially one who claims to be always right on every topic becomes a pain in the you-know-what.
When a person has a different opinion to the one you hold, there is no point in getting angry over it if the view is genuinely held; and don’t be like the woman who told her husband, ‘when I want your opinion I’ll give it to you!’. Of course it is hard to stay mute on opinions that are blatantly false and doing harm in the world we live in today.
It sometimes takes a lot of courage to speak up about what you believe in, but always remember that you are entitled to your say and to hold your own opinion. The oft times quoted ‘I disapprove of what you say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it’, should be foremost in all our heads.
Most of us have a friend or two whose opinion we trust and worth seeking out for a specific piece of advice when required. The mere act of bouncing our own opinion off of a trusted friend can often straighten out the thinking. A problem shared is a problem halved, and all that.
There is a fine and tricky line about giving an opinion to somebody without having been asked. People offer opinions for different reasons where they see somebody in a spot of bother. Most are well intentioned but the thin line is where it can sound like criticism and the key there is being able to tell the difference. Some will genuinely believe that their opinion, no matter how long-winded, is the only answer to your problem.
Now for the best bit of advice on opinion-giving! This is for those who offer an opinion on everything and who crave to be asked for their opinion above everything else. We have the answer here that will satisfy the hungriest of opinion craving individuals. This one is just so simple!
You just go online and order something from the hundreds of shopping outlets that will pop up on your screen. I am not great at that, so you will improve on my suggestions. Within jigtime you will be asked for your opinion… several times. You can rate the quality of the service, the delivery, the value for money and much more. You are the most important person and your opinion will make or break the entire structure!
Book into a hotel online and within a couple of days you will be invited to give your opinion until your head starts to spin. It starts off with something like ‘how was your stay?’. You fill in ‘good’ and press ‘submit’… thinking you have done your bit. Oh no… the word next keeps popping up. They have you now and your opinion will go on and on until you feel as if you are running the hotel.
Go on a holiday – and make sure you keep a diary of every detail. You are going to need all this for when your opinion is required after your return. The hard part is where you are asked to rate your opinion 1 to 10!
Even something as simple as booking a meal in a restaurant and you may be contacted for your opinion by way of a ‘review’.
We should give you the option of making it easier for you to leave an opinion on this column at the bottom of the page. On second thoughts… you’re grand the way you are!
Don’t Forget
Walking into town the other morning, in my hi-vis jacket, I was overtaken by two young lads riding their bikes to school. A lovely healthy start to the day… and there should be more of that.
What wasn’t so ‘healthy’ is that they were dressed in dark clothes from head to toe, a dress code which also seems to apply to e-scooter pilots. The greatest cause of pedestrian and cyclist fatalities is ‘not being seen’.
At this same time, I observed motorists just driving around the boys without bothering to indicate to the car behind that there was something to watch out for. How sad and selfish is that?!