No - I always come out with what I really believe and then tackle the onslaught of reaction

I do that all the time. If my feelings can be seen as controversial, I try not to start a controversy.

Not at all. OFC sometimes it is needed, at work for example, but generally I am open and blunt with my opinions. Here on AB I am ALWAYS open and blunt with my opinions!

Sometimes yes---but we should always be wise and serpents and gentle as doves. Chose your battles wisely. also we should never be afraid to say how we feel its important to be benificial to someone. Never keep a secret when it can help in a problem---share it w/ confidence and love---never out of revenge or anger.

Yes, because most the ab community is judgemental and close minded.

yes. i keep something to myself i believe is wrong, but i know it is part of who i really am.

No I like expressing my opinion. I do not mind if my opinion is popular or liked. I just try to help where ever I can.

I am sad to say that I have bit my touge in matters that actually mean a lot to me. I am not racist, and many of the people I know, or work with have varing degrees of racism. Sometimes I comment about remarks they make, but for the most part, I stay quiet. :-| It is not something I am proud of.

Not too much because I'm afraid what others will think, per se.... it's more of whether or not it's worth the crap I'll have to listen to for doing it. Sometimes it's just not worth it.

I've been told on many occasions that my opinions are extremely provocative at times. Signing up on the bag has made me realize just what people meant by that statement. I often find myself forsaking an answer within my mind altogether here on AB because I know that it will in one way or another disrupt the peace within that thread. Controversy doesnt bother me, its merely triggering an unhealthy batch of negation within a thread, that I feel is an unnecessary practice for anyone to indulge within on a public forum.

No, but I get lots of negative points for stating my opinion on illegal immigrants. Geez, ABers really them don't you?

Great question, AnonGirl! From the heart: Yes, I've occasionally had reservations about expressing myself, but I very rarely capitulate to that fear. The world's absolutely filled with sanctimonious folks who are absolutely sure that they're correct because they vehemently believe in something or another. To them, change is 'verboten'! They'll *always* be judgemental because *they have to be* - or all of their ideas and likely their very identity will be compromised & fall completely apart. But that's their problem; don't let it influence you unduly. Try to have the courage to be & express yourself always! The rest of us will value your opinions & company. Just asking this question makes the world a better place!

I keep a lot of opinions restrained, but mostly I do like to share them. Most people always think it's because I want to show off, but the thing is I like to see where I stand with other people about things, because as someone who's generally shy in real life, I learned a lot about body language and people's reactions, these tell a lot more then words sometimes, and although it can't ever be definite and maybe it's not even a proper means of doing so, this helps me sort of validate my own words. Online it works different though, but I also find that some responses may or may not be forwarded by reaction, and sometimes, as it is in real life, what one person says can easily mean something else entirely, so I'm always careful to try and read between the lines. I like to think that I'm able to draw the line between someone who doesn't like what you say and acts towards it, and those who, weather they agree or not, will take it as it is weather with debate elements or pointing out of errors and what have you. Sometimes dismissal tells a lot, too. But yeah, some things about what I think on certain subjects I'll keep my mouth shut about, but when I do say something it's for real. Wouldn't go to all the trouble to discern and scrutinize reactions as truth for shit I make up. XD As for people who want to judge me by what I decide to say, well so be it. The more I get judge in a negative manner, the more truth I speak, lulz.

Sometimes I judge people on purpose just for the humor. I like the seriousness of AB but also the complete joke of it as well.

I used to, but everyday, I become more and more outspoken(especially against religion amd injustice) because I feel it's the right thing to do. I realized the people that judge the most, are the people that are the most close-minded and unaccepting of people that aren't like them, screw them. I'll be myself whether they like it or not.

At times, yes. But I can be a bit of a chatter-bug.

Yes, but don't ask because I will tell you truly how I feel.

Not really. I do choose carefully when I give an opinion because sometimes the atmosphere is so loaded with negative energy you just know someone is loaded for bear and waiting, just waiting for a fight. I can smell 'em so I avoid 'em. Otherwise, I say what I think and if people judge that one way or the other it doesn't bother me. They are entitled to their opinion, just as I am entitled to mine. I never "go into battle". Fighting just to vent doesn't appeal to me the way it does to some people! :)

..i've done that a couple times..people cant always run around yelling what they think is right..especially if it could hurt someone..this is what i think is wrong with humans..they are so absorbed in their freedon of speech crap that they don't stop to think that who or what they are speaking against might be another person..that has feelings..which could have consequences..what if someone kills themselves because you speak your mind?? we need to care about ourselves and also think of others..thats just the only way to co-exist