How should I deal with people?

Patience. Let people know that you are not a threat to them and you don’t want to change them in anyway. Each person has their own life experiences and this is what they draw from. Show them that you mean them no harm and your main objective is friendship.

Not all trains of thought and opinions are equal.

There has been a dangerous trend (intensified by the spread of the Web and reality shows) that everyone’s opinions, no matter how ignorant or ill-formed, have equal validity.

For example, it makes perfect sense to me to reject the beliefs of white supremacists, homophobes, and other intolerant groups. I do not accept their hate-filled, dangerous ideas.

I choose, out of personal preference, not to associate with people who aggressively proselytize or who are zealots about a particular issue. That’s because I value my time, and would rather spend it with people of good will who think.

So, to answer your question, I think it depends on the people and the situation. A wide range of responses is required not a single, knee-jerk reaction.

I have found that the most narrow minded people are those who have not had the opportunity to travel. That of course is a personal steretype I believe, but it’s proven true more often than not. The only narrow minded people I know who have traveled are religious zealots who usually are misconstruing their own faith’s doctrine.

With that being said I will quote Oprah here who has shared these 2 pearls of wisdom repeatedly over the years:
• Everybody has a “story.”
(and therefore we shouldn’t judge how easy someone’s plight in life by how easy it outwardly seems)
• That which we hate most in others is but the greatest fear we have may be true of ourselves.

Accepting people and accepting their ideas are two different things. Respecting the person and respecting the idea are two different things.

@cyndyh well said, you took the words right out of my mouth. must have been when you were kissing me, to steal a line from the song by Meatloaf. ;-)

trust me.. just go with whatever makes sense through and through.

@ninjacolin thanks. Ill do that.

All of you feed your cats, jerk your wicks, and eat your happy feel good thoughts. Some of you have some lame crap to say. this discussion is over.

@evelyns_pet_zebra : Hey, wait a minute! I wasn’t doing any kissing. I wouldn’t want a woman with a six pack to get angry with me now. :^>

@ShauneP82 “How should I deal with people?” Here’s a hint: Not like that.

One way to deal with people is to make sure you only associate with people who don’t have to be “dealt” with. If you are hanging out with difficult people you will have to work very hard. There are several techniques for people who have no choice on this help site.

i think the important thing is to treat people respectfully. you don’t have to accept their opinions as your own, you just have to accept that that’s what they believe, and it doesn’t matter much if you believe it too.

the only time i am not understanding of someone’s perspective – or don’t really try – is when they are arrogant and rude about it.