When people ask you “What do you think of X?”, do yourself a favor and say you don’t.

All too often1, people ask me for my opinion on a topic. Inevitably, I answer and it leads to frustrating conversations, so I’ve decided to decline these conversations.

If I really have to answer the question, I’ve resolved to 1) find out what they think first, 2) ask them why they care and 3) say I don’t have an opinion, regardless of whether I do or not.

The reason I don’t like giving my opinion is because these conversations tend to be a trap: perhaps they want me to confirm their viewpoint, perhaps they just want to enter a debate or perhaps they just want to verify that I am part of the in-group or out-group.

It’s been pretty rare that someone has actually entered these type of conversations with an earnest mind - it’s not like they will change their behavior if they find out a new piece of information2

Notes

  1. at least once a year

  2. excepting perhaps if they are told that it is alright to be more indulgent or selfish.