Opinion vs offense

28/12/2025

Today, it feels harder than ever to share an opinion without someone feeling offended. A simple comment can quickly turn into anger. A different view is often seen as a personal attack. This change in how we speak to each other should concern us all. Having an opinion does not mean showing disrespect. People come from different backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences. Naturally, they will see things differently. Disagreement is not a sign of hatred. It is a normal part of human life. In fact, progress has always depended on people questioning ideas and offering new ones. The problem begins when opinions are treated as insults.

Many people now listen only to reply, not to understand. Social media has made this worse. Short posts and quick reactions leave little room for context or calm discussion. A single sentence can be taken out of context and spread widely within minutes. Once emotions take over, reason often disappears. There is also a growing fear of speaking openly.

Some people stay silent, not because they have nothing to say, but because they worry about being misunderstood or judged. This silence is dangerous. When honest voices disappear, only extreme views remain. This creates division instead of understanding.

Respect does not require agreement. It requires listening. We can disagree while still being polite. We can challenge ideas without attacking people. When we confuse offense with opinion, we weaken public dialogue. We also deny ourselves the chance to learn from each other. Societies grow stronger when people can speak freely and responsibly. This does not mean saying anything without care. Words matter. Tone matters. But so does intent.

Not every uncomfortable idea is meant to harm. Sometimes it is meant to improve, question, or reflect reality. If we want healthier conversations, we must separate opinion from offense. We must allow space for calm disagreement. Learning to accept different views is not a weakness. It is a sign of confidence and maturity. In the end, the ability to disagree respectfully may be one of the most important skills we need today.

By Nasser Al-Hajeri