Would you consider argumentativeness to be a wholly negative trait in someone? Or perhaps do you see it as someone standing up for what they believe in? At what point do you think being argumentative is a good thing, and at what point do you think it crosses the line? Have you ever been able to, or have you ever seen anyone, concede an argument to somebody else for reasons other than wanting the argument to stop? Also, do you think that we [men] are far less likely to be tolerant of argumentativeness if it is coming from a girl, simply because we, as a gender, expect women to be submissive to men? This question is obviously open to the women on this forum as well.
If you're not truthfully advocating your own legitimate interests then it's a negative trait. If it's the only way to appear involved or engaged, particularly at work, it's a strength.
What about idle argument, i.e. arguing about something that might not necessarily be useful per se, but is still a discussion that has room for argumentation (art, music, literature, etc.). Could this be considered intellectual or bull-headed? Both? Neither?
If you keep the cynicism to minimum, factual accuracy to a maximum, and ensure that you and the other party are equally invested and equipped emotionally and intellectually, it is probably an acceptable trait.
I don't think of it as a bad thing unless its used as a form of trolling -- arguing in order to annoy others when you don't have any personal stake in it. Arguing when you have skin in the game or else arguing when both people do it for fun is fine. As for women, I tolerate more argumentativeness, not less.
Not sure, but I know for one I argue a lot just for the sake of arguing. Just because I feel like it (sports wise). I will argue for one thing and then argue the other way just for entertainment to different people, because lots of the time there is plenty of evidence to support two opposite causes. And I like to make clueless "Rockets Fans" look silly
I use ad hominem as early and as often as possible. Easiest way to win an argument... or get shot and killed.
I used to be very argumentative in my college years. I justified it by using a Christopher Hitchens line about the grave will supply us enough to for quiet, or something like that. Then I read some great memoirs from a guy named Albert J Nock. I decided I wanted to carry myself more like him, and he mentioned that he only ever gave his opinion if it was asked of him. So I started doing that and it's working much better for me. So nowadays, yes, I do find arguing for arguing's sake to be offsetting. But it's not too big of a knock on someone. I just take it as a sign of immaturity.
Being argumentative means you look for reasons and things to differ over, and if you can't find them, you make them up. That is not a positive trait, IMO.
Depends completely on the audience. If you are arguing over a beer with some buddies. Facts generally get in the way of some of my best points of argument. In business settings, I stick to the old adage, it's better to keep quiet and be thought a fool than open my mouth and remove all doubt
My experience with argumentative people is that they are insecure liars. It's the one personality type in the world that I can't get along with. Ah, that's just bull****ting with your homeboys. When there's a deep personal connection there's an understanding there that it's not serious or personal.
I usually go with the "is this really the hill I want to die on?" philosophy. Life is too short to argue with people over meaningless things. Except on the internet, of course. I just have to shake my head when I hear about families being torn apart because of political disagreements. Really? You're going to let something as silly and ultimately insignificant as republican vs. democrat split your entire family? My family has a tendency to do this kind of thing, so after we had our boys (which of course means more family wanting to visit....), I laid down the law and said no political arguments at my house ever or I'm kickin' everyone out. Now, everyone knows better than to even bring it up at ima's house.
Since I am never wrong, I really don't argue, it is all the other folks inability to see their own wrongness. DD
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