Are you willing to offend people to express yourself honestly, or do you go along to get along with people?

Sure I am.

BUT... that does not mean I don't try to make my points respectfully. But sometimes, as we have seen, even the most polite and well reasoned argument can be blown way out of proportion. And we have some people who come on here just looking for any excuse to take umbrage.

And I won't back down just to appease a small minded individual who gets offended that other folk might hear what he cannot. ( and no, this is by no means referring to Sugaree, who is a very good and valued member here in my opinion. I may not agree with Sugaree on everything, and vice versa, but he has never offended me. Just wanna make sure people don't misinterpret what I am saying)

On the other hand....sometimes.... it's just not worth the argument. But chances are, I am not "backing down" to keep the peace. Usually at that point it is after I have determined a person simply is not able to be reasoned with...so why keep beating my head against the wall? A couple of my good friends on here seem to take pleasure in doing so.. but I don't get it personally.

I would rather hold true to myself, and sharee with hose with an honest interest, then start some bloody R&P holy war. ( though just ask Shreddr or Zach if you see them... we have had some R&P Jihads.... just that both parties stepped back, me and them, and parsed things out)

So yeah... I don't back down, or dilute either my beliefs or facts. I do however try to express them in a politic and at least semi-diplomatic manner. Usually. But tact really is not my strong suit.

*Shrugs*

For years at school, I've decided to go with the flow, keep my head down, and be unobtrusive.

You know what? They still didn't like me.

So this year, I've decided to be more radical. Tell them what my opinions really are. Tell them that they're wrong, that I'm right, that they don't know anything. I've gone so many years deliberatly trying not to hurt people's feelings by just "going with the flow" but you know what? I'm sick of it.

So now? Now I'm myself. I am 100% Sarah goodness, with no artificial flavors or colorings. I am me, and if I offend, I offend. They don't accept me anyway, so I'll be who I am rather than put on this fake mask that makes me sad anyway.

In class, I've expressed my want for a better economic system... which they took as I'm obviously a commie red. I've complained that whatever the hell my state of Mississippi is doing in terms of sex ed clearly isn't working and we need more push for something legit. I've brought teen pregnancy to classroom discussion, I've brought a few more radical things to the forefront, things that I truly believe in, and have gotten shot down many, many times for believing these things. But I don't care anymore.

The exceptions to this? Well, I'm not stupid. I attend a high school that is mostly conservative Christians, so it would be death to say I'm dating a Satanist, or that I support gay rights, or that I'm pro-choice. You know what would happen? I'd be drug out front and stoned. Shot. Beat up. Otherwise lynched, because I'm a weirdo in an ultra-conservative community.

So yes, I stand up for what I believe in. People probably think I'm insane, I'm offensive, I'm rude, but screw what people think; I've cared for so many years what they thought that I don't have any give a damn left.

In the long run? Down here, it'll mean I'm crazy, that they were right for avoiding me all those years. But I do think that among my few friends it garners respect that I'm not putting up a false front, that I am being all that I am.

I always act honestly. I don't know how offensive that may be to people, but I wouldn't act any other way. To be a liar would offend myself as well as others.

For example, a lot of people like to stay away from talking about religion. I am very willing to discuss or debate religion, but I will always be calm about it and try hard to stay away from arguments. So at the same time as being honest I try to get along with people by not being aggressive with it.

It sucks that with today's society that we have to all try and be politically correct. Which is a load of $hit! If people spoke their minds more often than worrying so much about offending people you may find that we'd probably get along better. I believe in being respectful if all possible. But, lets face it, sometimes we have to be rude to get our point across with some people because they don't relate to a topic any other way. I know it's unfortunate that we have to stoop down to mud slinging but, if that's what it takes for someone to get it through their think skull sobeit! I try to agree to disagree in a respectful manner but, sometimes I get on my soapbox like so many others and I tell it like I see it, if you get offended by it oh, well get over it and move on. I don't like it when someone pushes my buttons to get a rise out of me. Those that know me, know not to do that because you won't like the outcome. I can be very rude, and use colorful language in making my point if someone provokes me to make me angry just for their entertainment. I say don't let the door hit you in the as$ on the way out. Some people need a good swift kick in the as$! or knock up side the head to knock some sense into them. I'm not a trouble maker, but, I won't back down if someone wants to start one with me. I stand up for what I believe in that's my God given right as a US citizen and freedom of speech. So, take it or leave makes no difference to me.

Part of being in a free society is that your going to offend people. Whether you exercise that freedom or not is your right. Offending people just for the sake of offending them while amusing it is to teenagers and other less mature is however not covered under that protection.

As to whether that dress makes her look fat kinds of questions. I'm ambient. I hate being asked things like that. I honestly have no idea if that hair cut makes you look sexy to the ladies or if those earings look good with that dress or if your car's fancy all power everything is nice or not. That is trivial details in life I honestly don't look at most of the time. I can rarely tell you what kind of shoes your wearing or what color your eyes are even if I'm looking at you. Many times I honestly don't even notice what ethnic group you belong too unless it's blatantly obvious. I'm more interested in what your saying than how you smell or look.

I speak my mind. Don't ask me something you don't want an honest answer too. I what I have to say has no positive value and the topic is not important I'll just generally bide my tounge unless point blanked. I suspect the reason I've gone through so many girlfriends is they ask me questions expecting a lie and get the truth instead. Unless your in authority I'm not going to lie too you. A cop asks me how fast I was going I'm going to say whatever I think will get me out of a speeding ticket. Anybody else gets the blunt truth as I see it and if they don't like it I am not going to worry about it. My role on this life is not to win any populatity contests. Even if it harms my career, ambitions or other interests I'm going to tell you the truth because I and nobody else has to stare back at myself in the mirror. If I don't like what I see or what people see me as is not who I am then I'm living a lie. What's the point of living if your not living your own life right? If you cannot be honest with those around you it's time to change who your around. One quick way to figure out if your friends are really your friends is to be honest with them all the time.

I try to not offend people, but we all have a different view of the world and at times we are all going to have heated arguments regarding different views, I try hard to keep away from this though.

No i dont offend people at all and i get along with everyone usually unless someone ticks me off because of what they said or done i just ignore them

I always say what's on My mind. I haven't lost over 20 accounts including one Level 7 by being afraid to express my honest opinions.

*Edit*

Nicee Peachey. I think Me and Shred wrote the book on R&P Jihad, and if not Smiley and I surely did.

I try to speak out as honest as possible and if I offend someone i apologize right away.

I try my very best not to offend anymore but that doesn't mean i will stay quiet just b/c they don't agree or like an opinion or view of mines. I will defend my opinion & view if need be.