I don’t like the term ‘opinionated’
People apply it to me alot. In fact alot of people don’t like me because I’m opinionated. In reality though everyone has an opinion, even if you’re not sure of something you are of the opinion that you can’t be sure. Whether a person expresses their opinion or not they still have one. So in essence calling someone opinionated is stating the obvious.
From a very early age I’ve always been aware that alot of people don’t like me because I express my opinions…actually a more accurate way of putting it is that I challenge other people’s opinions. Part of it is because I’m extremely impatient. When someone is giving their opinion and I feel that what they are saying is wrong, it’s a near physical impossibility for me not to challenge them. I’m more than certain that people have the good grace to hold their tongue when I’m being preachy and they disagree with what I’m saying, sadly I’m not as civil (frankly I wish people would display an equal lack of civility with me and engage a discussion). What annoys me even more is when people express something that I completely disagree with and then say isn’t it Jade? Then I blow my fuse completely. My nan does that alot and I’m learning to just ignore what she says, but I’m wincing with pain when she says that and all I can do so as not to cause an argument is make that dreadful non committal sound of hmmm. However, back to my original point, because I need to challenge people I am branded opinionated.
Part of my annoyance is because it strikes my feminist chord, and I know it’s absurd but I can’t help it. Especially when people say it with surprise, and in the third person (God that annoys me) “Oh we are opinionated aren’t we?” that grinds on my nerves. My inner feminist (speaking in a voice remarkably like Germaine Greer’s) starts shouting Oh yes because women should keep their opinions to themselves, be seen and not heard, wear pretty dresses and sit at home waiting for a husband. Yes I’m so sorry for thinking I’ll go back to buying into my own oppression shall I!?!?! Which is ridiculous, because on reflection I know that they probably didn’t mean anything by it just that I’m a preachy cow who gets on her soap box whenever there is mention of religion, politics, art, science, philosophy and literature (which i am full prepared to admit is true).
Really though, I still think that opinionated is a stupid term. I may be wrong.
What do you think?
