On the fence
I’ve been on both sides of the fence when it comes to certain topics. In fact, I’m pretty sure that if you asked me what my favorite color was before this article started, I would have said “black.” But now that we’re talking about choosing sides in situations where there’s no right answer (and even if there were), let me explain why people who consider themselves neutral sometimes pick one over another.
People who consider themselves neutral (on the fence) in situations have chosen a side.
You have a side. Don’t deny it. If you were truly neutral, you would be able to say “I don’t know.” But that’s not how we work as human beings, especially not when it comes to politics and current events. We’re all part of the political sphere—even if we don’t like to admit it—and our opinions are always evolving over time.
When someone says they’re neutral in situations where there are clear sides (say, if they don’t support either candidate in an election), they’re really saying that they don’t have an opinion on the matter yet: They just haven’t made up their mind yet! But once someone makes up their mind about something—whether it’s whether or not Donald Trump should be president; whether or not Tom Brady is more important than Tom Brady; etc. That person has chosen one side over another (or at least made an informed decision about which way things stand).
Make sure you don’t pick the wrong side.
It’s important to be on the right side of a situation, but it can be easy to make mistakes and end up on the wrong side. Let’s say you’re at a party with your best friend and her boyfriend. You have had a lot of time together in the past, so when she asks if you want to go out somewhere fun afterward, you feel like going out would be fun for both of you. Her boyfriend is against it because he doesn’t want them to spend time alone together (he thinks this will make things weird).
You decide that since her boyfriend doesn’t seem very happy about going, maybe there are other ways we could spend our free time together? Maybe we could see another friend or join one of their activities? Either way though, it won’t hurt anything—and might actually help break up some tension between them!
Adopt an active role in discussions or use silence as a tool in polite disagreement.
- Be willing to ask questions and listen to the answers.
- Avoiding arguments is not always possible, but try your best not to take sides in a situation where you don’t agree with someone or their behavior. If you do find yourself in this position, remember that it’s okay—and even helpful—to express your disagreement in a respectful way by saying something like: “I don’t think that’s right.”
- Use silence as a tool in polite disagreement. If someone asks you (or demands) something of which you disagree, being able to remain silent without appearing rude will help maintain good relations between people involved and avoid having an argument over something minor at a moment when all parties could use some calm down time instead!
Value people’s opinions and their willingness to share them with you, but don’t be afraid to speak up when it’s your turn. (Don’t be a on the fence friend).
- Value people’s opinions and their willingness to share them with you, but don’t be afraid to speak up when it’s your turn.
- Listen first, then respond when it’s your turn.
- Don’t feel the need to agree with everything people say—you’re allowed to disagree! If something is bothering you about a conversation or an interaction, though, please feel free to say so (without being rude).
Be willing to admit you were wrong.
Admitting that you were wrong is a sign of strength and confidence. It shows that you’re willing to learn, adapt, and change your mind based on new information. If someone who considers themselves neutral in situations wants to admit they were wrong about something, it means they are willing to be open-minded about the subject at hand—and it shows their maturity as an individual.
Stick to the facts when talking about sensitive subjects and avoid making assumptions about what others think or believe.
- Don’t assume you know what others think or believe.
- Do not assume that your own experience is universal, especially if it’s different from the norm for someone else.
- Be sensitive to how your words might be interpreted by others, particularly those who may have different experiences from yours.
Know when not to discuss certain topics and know how to do so politely and respectfully, even when there’s no real controversy.
There are some topics that should always be left alone. When in doubt, ask yourself: Is this really something I want to talk about? If the answer is no, don’t bring it up. You can ask friends and coworkers if they have an opinion or a solution; if you’re really interested in hearing their take on a situation, though, don’t just blurt out your own ideas without checking for understanding first—you may end up alienating someone who thinks differently from you!
You might also consider getting professional help before beginning any kind of big process like moving or finding a new job (or even just deciding what color television set to buy). The last thing anyone wants when they’re stressed out is having someone else tell them what they should do next while they’re still feeling anxious themselves!
Show you care about things that are more important than having an opinion about a certain topic. ( Not on the fence)
If you’re someone who thinks of yourself as a neutral person (on the fence), then it’s important to know that being right is not the most important thing. It’s also not necessary for you to always be honest and sincere when sharing your thoughts or opinions. You can show your true colors by being kind and listening more than talking.
If you’re looking for advice from someone who has been through similar situations before, ask them how they handled things in their life so far. And if they don’t mind sharing with us what the outcome was! Situations that won’t leave you on the fence.
Don’t let others’ opinions of you prevent you from speaking up and sharing your own thoughts on the matter
You may be a person who feels very strongly about something, but you don’t want to say anything because of the way others are responding. This can be frustrating, especially if your opinion is one that’s important to you. But there’s no need to worry! There are ways around this problem—and they all involve being assertive and standing up for yourself in situations where others might not see what’s right in front of them.
- Don’t let other people’s opinions prevent you from speaking up*
When someone says something hurtful or negative about something (or someone) that matters to us, it can feel like a personal attack on our character, dignity, and integrity as human beings. It can even make us feel like we have no choice but to keep quiet out of fear for our safety; after all, if someone is angry enough at us enough times over time then surely they will eventually become physical violence? This isn’t true though—if nothing else works then try using logic instead! Don’t be on the fence.
Conclusion
Remember, we all have our own opinions, and it’s important to make sure that you don’t let others’ opinions of you prevent you from speaking up and sharing your own thoughts on the matter. If you’re still unsure of what side would be best for you in any given situation, then ask yourself whether or not there is room for more than one opinion in your life.
Thinking about it, my initial response always is I don’t know. I do have sides on something but some im totally neutral.
I am definitely a person who prefers to stay away from conflict or disagreement. I am working on becoming more assertive so this article was very helpful thank you!
Interesting article. I’m not so sure about the title though. I do think it’s possible not to support a side. Perhaps because the choices on the table don’t include the one you want, or maybe you just don’t care about the topic. But maybe what you mean is that it equates to a “3rd side”?