Questions tagged [arguments]
For use on questions where multiple people are exchanging opposing views in a heated or angry way.
60
questions
3
votes
0
answers
304
views
How can I convince my husband to be polite on the internet? [closed]
My husband and I participated in a political movement. My husband believes that the movement's actions were ineffective and even counterproductive, that they failed to live up to their ideals, that ...
- 173
5
votes
1
answer
645
views
How to apologize to somebody when one or both of you don’t remember what needs apologizing for?
My wife and I have been married for a long time and are in a loving relationship.
Unfortunately I have memory issues (ADHD, dyspraxia and similar co-morbid conditions) as does she from both similar ...
- 51
3
votes
1
answer
485
views
In group discussions, how should I deal with a person who frequently participates in the discussion with incoherent comments?
Context: I'm a student who is in a philosophical discussion group which meets weekly and discusses readings and thoughts about a particular topic. It's hosted by an organization so I don't have ...
- 131
7
votes
2
answers
485
views
Ways to mitigate a recurring argument between Alice who avoids and Bob who seeks resolution
Alice and Bob have a recurring argument. Alice says something that confuses Bob. It can be an unqualified pronoun, an unsignalled change of topic, a lack of context, etc. With some difficulty Bob ...
- 173
4
votes
2
answers
436
views
How to argue motivation for feelings while still validating the feelings itself
I've been having a lot of arguments with my partner lately. The details do not matter, but the gist is that she doesn't feel special. She states that she feels this way because of something that I did/...
- 1,508
20
votes
6
answers
3k
views
How to defuse meaningless arguments?
This is about my mothers husband (let's call him Bob for now). I visit them from time to time, and they are mostly pleasant to be around.
However, Bob has the tendency to blurt out completely false ...
- 643
2
votes
1
answer
556
views
Talking to a friend that isn't very reasonable about people having different opinions
Me, personally speak my mind. For example, if someone asks for my opinion about a shoe and if I think it is ugly I just say it. I'm not rude or don't want to be mean. It is ugly in my opinion but it ...
- 963
5
votes
2
answers
647
views
How to respond to a baseless accusation/claim without owning the burden of proof?
An honest response to an accusation should be constructive. One way to achieve that is to express empathy, question,break down broad terms(if any) into specific instances and address each of them.
But ...
- 361
4
votes
2
answers
484
views
How to debate with someone who uses other people's arguments as their own?
I sometimes end in face-to-face conversations/debates with my (adult) brother over a variety of topics that he usually brings up himself. They're often the kind of topics I don't pay much attention to ...
- 49
9
votes
2
answers
738
views
How to find balance between sounding defensive and staying silent during an argument?
My girlfriend says I never accept mistakes, don't say sorry, always try to reason why I did something, get defensive, say same thing again and again to support myself during the argument after I mess ...
5
votes
2
answers
790
views
How to respond to an obviously unfair offer in a high-stakes negotiation without offending the other side?
Background
A relative of mine, whom I'll call Tania, owns the larger bedroom of a two-bedroom apartment in Moscow, Russia, while the other bedroom is owned by a guy completely unrelated to her, whom I'...
- 151
9
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How to deal with sibling who has had a grudge against me for 6+ months over a minor issue?
I have a younger brother who is 19. We don’t have anything in common. I’m a quiet person and don’t like to talk about irrelevant things. My brother doesn’t understand that I’m different, he thinks I ...
user20670
4
votes
1
answer
754
views
How to deal with mild verbal aggressiveness in debates?
I usually try to live by and follow non-violent communication (NVC) principles in my interactions with others. I don't always express myself following a "Observation / Feeling / Need / Request" ...
- 4,740
2
votes
0
answers
744
views
How can I explain that I don't appreciate my girlfriend's reaction to her gifts? [closed]
For Valentine's Day, my girlfriend told me she doesn't want chocolate or flowers. Instead of those things, she wants a specific beauty product which is roughly the same cost of chocolates and flowers. ...
- 29
6
votes
1
answer
892
views
"Kicking the dog", ie post hoc anger at third parties
Don't worry no actual dogs are involved. I'm interested in trying to understand a behavior that I've noticed for much of my life (and I'm not young). I want to try to understand the motivations and ...
- 163
41
votes
7
answers
11k
views
How can I explain a problem without finger-pointing?
I try to avoid all kinds of "everyday life" arguings, but sometimes I just want an explanation for minor problems.
"Why are you late?" and "You know where we keep documents. Why put it in a different ...
- 521
13
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How to communicate better with my wife when she is in a bad mood and is slightly mean to me?
Long story short, I have depression/anxiety. Some days I’m in a low mood and am extra sensitive.
My wife, like all of us, gets in her own moods, usually slightly aggravated, or snippy, or a little ...
- 131
32
votes
7
answers
9k
views
Friend is very nitpicky about side comments I don't intend to be taken too seriously
I have a close friend who seems to hyper-analyze some things I say and gets upset with things he thinks I didn't give much thought to.
One example is: we were hanging out and talking about card ...
- 379
6
votes
4
answers
1k
views
How do I argue in an impersonal manner?
Whenever I argue, people always seem to take it very personally. I see it more as problem solving, where the problem is whatever is being argued (99.9% of the time, the disputed premise is purely ...
user20
2
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How to mend a friendship when my friend thinks I'm in the wrong and I don't wish to apologize
I just created this account because I really don't know how to deal with this.
A close friend and I have been talking for a few months about her coming to my hometown for the summer, but we didn't set ...
10
votes
2
answers
472
views
Mediating Between a Parent with High Expectations and a Defensive Sibling
I have a father with high expectations who, I believe, genuinely wants my brother and me to succeed in life. He's a traditional man, and a bit conservative (firmly believing
in the "Good ol' days . ....
- 222
20
votes
4
answers
5k
views
How can I make an argument that my time is valuable? [closed]
I'm a software engineer, but before that, I attempted to run my own mobile computer repair business. That business never got off the ground, so I went into a career in software development.
Fairly ...
- 209
18
votes
6
answers
10k
views
How to let other coworkers know that I don't share my coworker's political views?
Background
Today, I was in my workplace kitchen where I was having lunch. There were other coworkers having lunch there too. One of them (let's call him Bob) was talking about political stuff and ...
- 17.3k
2
votes
2
answers
11k
views
How to deal with "why not" as a response to the a why question? [closed]
I work with people who when asked "why are you doing it that way" or "why [any question]?" their response is always "why not"?
My feeling is always that this a frivolous response and indicates a poor ...
- 29
9
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How can I ask my girlfriend to accept my choice of charity to support?
I support a charity based in my country that helps people escape a specific oppressive government and relocate to other countries as refugees. If I'm being completely honest, I don't really know why I ...
- 91
12
votes
6
answers
2k
views
How to tell a stranger that the way I wish to educate my child is none of his/her business?
Consider the following scenario: I'm taking my kid (5 years old) to a coffeeshop and we do some 'math problems'. By math problems I mean that I explain him about the numbers, addition, counting and so ...
- 1,069
12
votes
3
answers
1k
views
How to argue for a point of view without appearing like I am sharing that view?
A little Background first:
Due to events in my past I am very self aware and practiced a lot, trying to understand motivations of others without letting my personal views/motivation induce bias into ...
- 2,542
6
votes
3
answers
7k
views
My girlfriend wants to move in, but we're having issues
I've been dating a girl for about 3 months and for the past month she has basically been living with me. She has her own apartment, but since we live in different towns it's easier for her to stay ...
- 61
4
votes
3
answers
983
views
Someone criticized my "casual player game", how to make them think?
Background
I love candy crush and candy crush like games. I love grouping things by color and I'm very good at it. I play it in my free time, especially when I need to relax my mind.
I know such games ...
- 17.3k
12
votes
5
answers
1k
views
How to avoid having always the same debates with a friend of mine?
I have a friend, let's call him Jack, who likes to debate and who takes any chance to try and turn the topic of a conversation into the one he prefers.
Last time it happened, I had posted a news on ...
user22124
6
votes
2
answers
656
views
How to apologize but also signal that you are also owed an apology?
I usually drive my girlfriend to work on Mondays because the nearest car park is just over a mile away (although when the weather is nice she does enjoy the walk). On this occasion I suggested she ...
- 163
2
votes
1
answer
424
views
How should I deal with people who don't answer questions? [closed]
I have been trying to argue using logic and facts but I think you know how certain people in "power" use different techniques to stay in power. I have noticed that for quite a number of years, quite a ...
0
votes
2
answers
496
views
How to deal with unreasonableness
My attitude is that one cannot reason with someone who, for whatever cause, is being unreasonable. If that party has got it into their head that they are right, even despite blatant contrary evidence, ...
- 141
11
votes
6
answers
5k
views
How can I counter the argument "there is better and there is worse" [closed]
Context
The context is "in general" but let's say that we are in any discussion that imply improving something in my life. So it can be with a GF, with a parent, my manager etc.. The ...
- 1,795
2
votes
1
answer
440
views
How to argue with father who denies everything and makes illogical arguments? [closed]
Not sure how to approach this question so please bear with me.
Every member of my family, including me, has a problem with my father's behaviour. I am trying to find a way to solve it.
Background
...
- 129
10
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What to tell family who ask about a friend I had a falling out with? [closed]
I had a very friend who I was close with that I knew for a long time. My family even knew him from birthday parties and we had gone on trips together etc. My friend recently involved me in a scam and ...
- 319
33
votes
7
answers
7k
views
How can I make my parents (and parents-in-law) accept that I don't want to have children? [duplicate]
First I would like to give a bit of context:
My companion and I are 25 years old; we will probably get married in a few years
I luckily have a comfortable situation, and have been working for 2 years
...
- 381
3
votes
5
answers
5k
views
How to deal with my girlfriend closing up when we have a problem?
My and my gf have been together for about 3 months now and everything has been pretty good. But recently we have spent some time apart since she is at home (we live at college and she's home for the ...
- 39
12
votes
6
answers
3k
views
How to interact with people who are indifferent to information security? [closed]
Background: I’m an amateur programmer, make both desktop and mobile applications with a moderately deep background in computer science (from my experience and undergraduate studies).
A lot of friends ...
- 399
111
votes
15
answers
44k
views
How can I handle my father challenging everything I say?
I live with my parents. My father likes to challenge nearly everything I say, up to the point of ridiculousness. I can prove many of the things he challenges but not immediately. In most cases his ...
- 8,050
2
votes
1
answer
951
views
Long-Term Relationship and 'a specific hobby' [closed]
I've been a part of a happy long-term relationship over the past 4-5 years, and we've been engaged for some of that. The relationship started when I moved to a new town, so I left a lot of my life ...
- 45
8
votes
1
answer
578
views
Dealing with friends are attempting to recruit me for a job
I'm going to leave as many details out as possible to keep this anonymous since they are in tech, but here we go:
I have some friends who are starting their own company. They have some small capital, ...
0
votes
2
answers
609
views
How to contact to partner after breakup who does not want to talk [closed]
My partner broke up with me few days ago and it is very surprising and devastating for me. For last 6 months we were in a great relationship and everything was going good. So, a little bit about the ...
- 19
3
votes
1
answer
417
views
How do I encourage/nudge people to critically analyze my arguments in a discussion?
I enjoy a healthy discussion. People may trip over various random aspects of my statements that I didn't consider and object which allows me to (1) learn how to formulate better next time and (2) ...
- 368
5
votes
5
answers
1k
views
How might it be appropriate to ask someone to back up a claim they make in conversation?
The other day I was having dinner with some in-laws, and one of them made a claim which I fundamentally disagree with. I thought about asking him to explain his reasoning and tell him that I disagreed ...
- 370
11
votes
3
answers
2k
views
How to tell friend/roommate/landlord that I am looking for other places to live?
This topic is directly related to this:
How to sooth relationship between roommate and my sister (who lives with us)?
Tensions between my sister/dependent and our roommate have continued to get worse,...
- 283
33
votes
11
answers
10k
views
Is a verbal response that directly expresses anger always the wrong choice? [closed]
Me: I understand, I'm just saying that I had plans but cancelled them because you said you were gonna show.
Him: Well if I knew you were going to be such a baby about it, I would have told you I wasn'...
- 565
6
votes
4
answers
3k
views
How to sooth relationship between roommate and my sister (who lives with us)?
So background information. My sister, who is currently 16, has been living with me for the past couple years after some problems with our Mother arose. This past May we moved off base into a home with ...
- 283
9
votes
3
answers
1k
views
How should I interrupt a long monologue during an argument?
I have a really close acquaintance, Emily, who knows me very well.* We often have constructive debates about life things. During them, she always wants to help me, and we argue calmly and ...
- 663
6
votes
4
answers
1k
views
How can I deal with a teacher who became stubborn because I previously was incorrect and arrogant? [closed]
I have this French teacher and, during one lesson, I corrected her and I was wrong. Then I was arrogant and incorrect and she became angry at me. She ended her rant by saying that I should phrase it ...
user329