Why is it that so many people can not comprehend an opposite opinion on an issue?
People who tell you that you can’t understand their point of view because you don’t have their experiences think they understand your point of view without your experiences. Some people can understand me perfectly while others cannot understand a word coming out of my mouth - why is this?
Discussion
Hopefully I've chosen the right flair. I've been living in France for almost three years, and I've always wondered about this. I simply cannot get a read on how good or bad my accent is (I know I could submit a voice recording to the French sub for feedback, and maybe I'll do that, but this post is mostly to see if others have this issue).
My main French teacher is always on me about my accent. She often has me read aloud, and we spend several minutes on each sentence to work on my pronunciation. I've had a handful of experiences here where I've tried to have a conversation with someone and I've immediately gotten the terrified blank stare you get when someone hasn't got a clue what just came out of your mouth. Once was when I was arranging for someone to watch my cat while I was away. I remember welcoming her into my house and asking her to please wash her hands first, and she just stared at me. I had to find someone else because she really couldn't understand me at all, even though I spoke as slowly as possible and enunciated as best as possible. Another time, someone struck up a conversation and asked me where I was from. I tried to say "United States" and "America" in as many ways as I possibly could, and yet the guy could not understand what I was saying and ended up walking away. There are a few other experiences I've had like this, and it's obviously super frustrating for both parties.
That said, I've had many more experiences where people have easily been able to understand me and have even complimented my accent. Other French teachers I've had have said I'm not obviously an anglophone. A few times, after speaking only a few words, someone has said that I sound like a native French person. I've had several random people, like shop assistants, say I have a really good or pretty accent. It's a weird situation because I'm getting weekly feedback from my main French teacher that my accent is horrendous and then totally mixed feedback in daily life and with other teachers.
So I guess I'm just not sure where this leaves me. I've been in classes with people that I've had trouble understanding, and I wonder how they manage in daily life. Is this something other people experience, too? What do you make of it? I don't think people truly understand open mindedness
I think that the majority of people use open mindedness synonymously with listening to someone else. When that couldn't be further from the truth.
Being Open Minded is the process of deconstructing your preconceived notions/concepts.
Hearing the alternative. Constructing notions/concepts based on the alternative view.
Finally, comparing and contrasting both. Just as ignorance is not only the lack of knowledge but rather also the imposition that only one stream/view regarding an issue/concept is justified while the rest are not. Are they simply set in their ways and afraid to consider another point of view? Do they think that their way is the best so your way has no merit? Is it so hard to put yourself in someone else’s shoes? I am curious since I have changed my opinions many times after seeing a different point of view.
Discussion
Hopefully I've chosen the right flair. I've been living in France for almost three years, and I've always wondered about this. I simply cannot get a read on how good or bad my accent is (I know I could submit a voice recording to the French sub for feedback, and maybe I'll do that, but this post is mostly to see if others have this issue).
My main French teacher is always on me about my accent. She often has me read aloud, and we spend several minutes on each sentence to work on my pronunciation. I've had a handful of experiences here where I've tried to have a conversation with someone and I've immediately gotten the terrified blank stare you get when someone hasn't got a clue what just came out of your mouth. Once was when I was arranging for someone to watch my cat while I was away. I remember welcoming her into my house and asking her to please wash her hands first, and she just stared at me. I had to find someone else because she really couldn't understand me at all, even though I spoke as slowly as possible and enunciated as best as possible. Another time, someone struck up a conversation and asked me where I was from. I tried to say "United States" and "America" in as many ways as I possibly could, and yet the guy could not understand what I was saying and ended up walking away. There are a few other experiences I've had like this, and it's obviously super frustrating for both parties.
That said, I've had many more experiences where people have easily been able to understand me and have even complimented my accent. Other French teachers I've had have said I'm not obviously an anglophone. A few times, after speaking only a few words, someone has said that I sound like a native French person. I've had several random people, like shop assistants, say I have a really good or pretty accent. It's a weird situation because I'm getting weekly feedback from my main French teacher that my accent is horrendous and then totally mixed feedback in daily life and with other teachers.
So I guess I'm just not sure where this leaves me. I've been in classes with people that I've had trouble understanding, and I wonder how they manage in daily life. Is this something other people experience, too? What do you make of it? I don't think people truly understand open mindedness
I think that the majority of people use open mindedness synonymously with listening to someone else. When that couldn't be further from the truth.
Being Open Minded is the process of deconstructing your preconceived notions/concepts.
Hearing the alternative. Constructing notions/concepts based on the alternative view.
Finally, comparing and contrasting both. Just as ignorance is not only the lack of knowledge but rather also the imposition that only one stream/view regarding an issue/concept is justified while the rest are not. Are they simply set in their ways and afraid to consider another point of view? Do they think that their way is the best so your way has no merit? Is it so hard to put yourself in someone else’s shoes? I am curious since I have changed my opinions many times after seeing a different point of view.
