Are you irritated by narrow minded people?

@beki710 (949)
May 14, 2009 3:19pm CST
I am so easily frustrated by people who have such a narrow view of the world! I hate people that can't see out of the small world that they live in or open up their mind to other views. I know that I'm fairly opinionated but if someone has an opinion that contradicts mine I will listen and take it on board. I might not necessarily agree but I wll at least give someone else a chance to explain how they feel. I'm also open to trying new ideas or having a go at something I've never done before. The reason I'm so frustrated now is that I went to see a new piece of theatre tonight with a friend. He was cross because it was a dance piece. He didn't even give it a chance! He'd decided he'd hated it before he went in and once we came out he wouldn't say anything but "I hated it" now ok he might not have enjoyed it anyway, but he'd decided he wouldn't like it before he even saw any of it. Do you get annoyed by things like this?
3 people like this
23 responses
@tracydee (172)
• Philippines
15 May 09
Yes I am irritated with narrow minded people. I always encounter a narrow minded person at home because my younger brother is one of them. He is so picky with food that even if he didn't taste it yet, he would immediately conclude that it doesn't taste good and he will not eat at all. Narrow minded people fail to understand. My brother and I sometimes end up with a conflict and I really find it difficult for him to understand. He is already turning fifteen so I guess he is at the right age of realizing things.
1 person likes this
@marcyyyy (517)
• United States
15 May 09
Hi! Your brother reminded me of when I was little...I wouldn't try new food if you paid me! But now, many many years later, I'll try a new food just to give it a chance. I always hated fish as a kid, but now I really love it! Some people still say, yuk, how can you even try to eat that, but how do you know unless you do try? He'll grow up and learn...however, I still hate vegetables! But I eat them cos our bodies need them. lol
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@beki710 (949)
15 May 09
Food is one of the big things I hate people being narrow minded about. Why can't people just try it before forming an opinion. I hate it when I'm about to eat something and someone goes "eurgh that looks disgusting" Don't put me off my food just because you wouldn't eat it!
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@angemac23 (2003)
• Canada
15 May 09
Yes. Very much so. Narrow minded people annoy me so much that I can't be around them! LOL....I choose my friends based on how open-minded they are. I only associate with open-minded people. Narrow-minded people are dangerous to society because they refuse to know what is going on or to even research anything. A lot of them just veg in front of video games and TV and do nothing productive whatsoever.
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@beki710 (949)
16 May 09
I try to hang out with open minded people but sometimes I guess they just surprise you by being close-minded aout a particular subject.
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
15 May 09
Yes. Frequently and especially if they are bureaucrats who have some sort of control over my life. Regular narrow minded people with no power I just avoid or don't talk to. The hardest thing for me is finding out that someone I respect has a really narrow minded view of some area that I value.
@beki710 (949)
15 May 09
I think that's why this person irritated me so much! I feel very passionately about dance drama and music and he just would not appreciate it!
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
15 May 09
I get very annoyed at people who live their lives with blinkers on; will not deviate from their path and will not explore anything new in the world. My parents are like that and I am not sure it is age related because narrow mindedness has always been their way of life. I believe that you can open your mind and take on brand new ideas and opinions without compromising your own values; that is how we learn in life, I think.
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@beki710 (949)
15 May 09
you make a good point, without trying new things we don't learn and I believe we spend our whole life learning so it is important to try new things!
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@lumenmom (1986)
• United States
15 May 09
I find it mildly irritating but more sad than anything because in being narrow minded you miss out on so much. The world and life is so diverse and there is so much to experience. I find life more enjoyable when I approach it more openmindedly.
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@beki710 (949)
16 May 09
They do miss out on so much! I'm glad I can appreciate life. Thanks for sharing!
• United States
15 May 09
I find people like that very tedious and frustrating. I also feel sorry for them. How sad is it that the only portion of the world that they will experience is what they deem to be acceptable. They are so willing to open themselves up to new things. So to answer your question YES. They do annoy me.
1 person likes this
@beki710 (949)
16 May 09
The will miss out on such a lot, and I'm sure one day will regret all the things they passed up on. It's quite sad really.
• United States
14 May 09
I have always thought I had a more open mind then say my parents. All kinds of things from peoples choices in life, to movies and such. My parents dont think tattoos are great, but I want and will get one this year. They are against most people who arent "straight" but I am okay with them. Stuff like that. They hate "R" rated most movies I am okay if its not that bad in the area of just being about language and violence (not bad) and not other areas. So I always hate people who think they are all that and only go with what others think and in the end are truly narrow minded. Narrow minded people suck. Be more open, you might find you like it. Sorry you didnt get to see that dance piece :(
1 person likes this
@beki710 (949)
15 May 09
I think that's a good point, often younger generations are more open minded on certain topics. With me and my parents it's piercings, they hate them and I have 12 of them. But on the other hand I think a younger generation can be very narrow minded about topics their parents might be more open about, younger people seem to feel the need nowadays to use violence as a solution to everything when older people might at least discuss issues with each other.
1 person likes this
@dodo19 (47034)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
14 May 09
Yes, I do get easily frustrated by narrow minded people. It's very frustrating and annoying to try to get your ideas, your thoughts, your point of view across, when you're talking to a narrow minded person. They are unwilling to see or hear anything other than their own point of view, and such, especially if sometimes their arguments aren't always backed up by facts.
1 person likes this
@beki710 (949)
15 May 09
That's even worse when they haven't got facts to back up what they are saying but still won't listen to your point of view. Makes me very angry!
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@bing28 (3795)
• Philippines
14 May 09
Yes we can't help getting irritated by narrow minded people but sometimes we can't do anything but understand them in order for us not to get upset. We're able to know them at least of being narrow minded so next time we won't avail ourselves to them, so our time won't be wasted and just spend it with others.
@beki710 (949)
15 May 09
That is true. I wouldn't bother having a deep conversation with someone I knew was narrow minded as they wouldn't bother listening to what I thought.
1 person likes this
@CRIVAS (1815)
• Canada
15 May 09
I can't stand it when someone is close minded. It just means that they will miss out on all the great things that life has to offer. My grandmother once told me that it is important to try everything once or you'll regret it. She used to tell me that the worst thing that would happen would be that I wouldn't like it, in which case I didn't have to do it again. I think that when a person closes themselves off that way, the miss out on some many new, intersting and inspiring things. Personally I love trying new things and never say no. Besides I would much rather try something and say that I didn't like it, then to never try it and always wonder what it would be like. I guess some people just can't handle it though and that they are content to wallow in the boring routine of their day to day lives. Personally I love fun and adventure, that is why when my husband suggested that we try 4x4ing I went and I loved it. Now I have a quad and I can't wait to get out on the trail with it again. I never would have know what it was like if I hadn't tried and I would have missed out on so much. It is good to know that you feel the same.
@beki710 (949)
15 May 09
I feel the same way. If you don't try something you don't know how big an impact it could have on your life! I remember being petrified of joining the local youth theatre on my first day but now I'm doing a drama degree. If I hadn't tried that I definately wouldn't be doing this degree now!
1 person likes this
• Philippines
15 May 09
Yes, i get annoyed by things like that. It's not right to think negative of something you haven't tried. It will just show that you're a quail-minded person. It will be nice to try it first or see what's on it that just think that you can't do it. Life is full of test. If we failed at first trial we can do it again and again to succeed. I think a man like that need to be encourage more.
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@beki710 (949)
15 May 09
It just makes me think that if he is narrowminded about something like a dance then what are his opinions on something more important for example elections and government?
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@yoyozhou (356)
• China
15 May 09
There are always some people like this. They will never try the things they don't like. I think you are right to try new ideas and keep open. You can invite some friends who want to go with you. They say friends should have common interests and views so that can keep a good relation for a long time.Do you think so?
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@beki710 (949)
15 May 09
Yes I agree, having people who like the same things is a good basis for friendship. I also think that some difference are good as well, you can then share something you like with someone who doesn't know anything about it!
1 person likes this
• China
15 May 09
I think people should be open-minded, because the world is changing fast. We can't just live in our small world, but to see the big world outside. You can stick to what you believe, but you should also have an attitude for accepting the differences of others.
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@beki710 (949)
15 May 09
You have a good point, if we are narrow minded aout something like technology we will just get left behind and the world will move on without us.
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• United States
14 May 09
I totally understand where you are coming from. My mom raised me to never discourage anyone or anything. Just because I don't agree with something doesn't mean it is wrong. I think a lot of parents in these small hick towns hide their children from reality and the children aren't exposed to anything and when they finally are exposed it is like a whole new world.
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@beki710 (949)
15 May 09
This is so true! To wrap kids up in cotton wool when they are yong will mean that they just won't understand how important new experiences are in later life.
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• United States
16 May 09
Irritated? How polite you are! Narrow-minded people so a lot of harm in the world. If only there were ways to "cure" them of it!
@fifileigh (3615)
• United States
16 May 09
not really. i think it is funny how backwards they are. they r not moving with the times. they might as well live in amish country. if u listen closely to someone who is narrow minded, they will tend to sound very retarded, i mean, literally retarded.
@dropofrain (1167)
• India
15 May 09
I simply can not stay with the narrow minded people. They actually turn me off. I can not stand their stupid comments.
@beki710 (949)
15 May 09
I agree, I don't think I could be attracted to someone narrow minded.
@K46620 (1986)
• United States
15 May 09
I can see how this can be annoying at times but if your friend just doesn't like dance, then even if he were "open minded" he probably would not like it. For instance if I don't like baked beans, and I refuse to eat a new recipe of baked beans, its not because I'm narrow minded, I just have tried baked beans before and don't like them.
@beki710 (949)
16 May 09
That is a good point yes, but dance is such a huge genre which covers street, tap, jazz, ballet and even verging on physical theatre. It's not as though he just hated ballet and we were seeing that, he's seen dance before and been impressed by it but unfortunately for this he just didn't want to know.
1 person likes this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
14 May 09
Life is just too short not to open your heart and your mind to new experiences, people and emotions. Don't be irritated with your friend - feel sorry that he feels so insecure that he has to have his opinion ready before it's even asked for! He's missing such a lot in life, but the sorry thing is, he doesn't even realise it.
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@beki710 (949)
15 May 09
That's a very good point. Thanks for sharing!
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@Shavkat (136863)
• Philippines
13 Nov 12
People who are narrow-minded, it is impossible to explain things. Even if you had laid all the cards for them to comprehend the point. We just need to let go, pretend that nothing happens.