How much influence do you have over your loved ones?

Pretty much.
I can make them close their ears, just by starting to talk.

For the rest; I’m usually not trying to influence people around me.
I don’t take well to people (‘s efforts) trying to influence me, so consequently I don’t do it the other way around (safe from the rare occasion that I recommend a piece of music, or a video).

@rebbel – You’ve made me laugh. Could it be that you don’t recognize your immense power?? :D

Loved ones, quite a bit.
Strangers online, not much.

I have changed opinions a few times, when it comes to LGBTQ issues and religion especially. My husband also changed from Pro Choice to Pro Life after learning more about the process and hearing about the clinics being closed for hygiene reasons, etc….

I’m not sure I want to know. When I was a kid everybody thought I was a bad influence.
I would hate to find out that I still am. That would not be good.

No way to know about strangers on the internet.

Plus, this is the only place I stick my nose into where I might “talk” to strangers on the internet. It’s actually occasionally interesting and entertaining.

But judging from some of the not so friendly comments I have received on occasion (not that I give a shit by the way) I don’t think I’m influencing anybody here.

So the sad truth is, maybe I should get a megaphone and shout out my beliefs on a street corner and see if anybody stops to listen.

@lucillelucillelucille I have that same effect on my family members.
That, or the ear closing.

And I probably wouldn’t recognize the potential power if it hit me in the face :-)

@josie – The megaphone is about as effective as a rant on a social site, IMO.
:D

@rebbel – Wrestle them to the floor, pry their ear open and charm the hell out of them with magical words!

I think it has possibilities…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRlxqpgf2VQ

With my kids certainly, always try to be a good role model. My wife listens to me when it suits her, what can I say…she wears the trousers lol

Online stranger type beings, well a ton of folks here have told me over the years they’ve “known” me that I make the laugh & cheer them up when they’ve felt a little low. You’re always going to get the occasional loon who thinks you’re gross & live in an apartment but hey…shit happens!!

@josie- I like the directness of that method.

@ucme – Practice shooting laser beams from your eyes.

I have no doubt that I do, especially my grandkids.

@lucillelucillelucille I long for a spring loaded boxing glove button here, one can dream.

@ucme – I want for RL situations. :D

None. I don’t want to have influence over them.

Why on earth not @Sagacious? Someone’s going to influence them.

@Dutchess_III They are all adults. I have no interest in influencing them. If they are influenced by me it is not because I tried to exert such influence. Live and let live.

I assumed we were talking about children who need to be influenced. How else do they learn what’s right and what’s wrong?
I’m not sure how much I influence my adult children any more, aside from being the same person I’ve always been.