Am I the only person who *hates* the statement "that's just my/your opinion"?

[Donald Ian Rankin]

Far, far too often, I see "that's just may opinion" offered as a defence of a contentious statement, and "that's just your opinion" used as a passive-aggressive attack.

To be clear: anything you say is your opinion; anything I say is mine. It's tautological. But some opinions are objectively true, and some are objectively false.

"That's just my/your opinion" *never* adds anything to any debate, ever; it's silly and passive-aggressive, and it derails debates from talking about the issue at hand into talking about the people discussing it.

[Zorra]

1. Probably not. nt

[Xipe Totec]

3. I agree. But that's just my opinion. nt

[quinnox]

2. Yes, it is an annoying "nothing" statement

"Well I don't care what you think anyway, and furthermore, that's just your opinion!"

I usually see it on the internet when someone has lost an argument, and they are lashing out.

[devils chaplain]

4. No... I hate it too...

And my response is similar to yours: "Of course it is. The difference is my opinion happens to be factually verifiable."

Another pet peeve of mine: "We'll just have to agree to disagree." Maybe I will on whether chocolate ice cream is better than vanilla; I'm not going to on whether or not the Earth is round or flat.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

5. I'm actually fine with "We'll just have to agree to disagree"

Everyone is wrong about certain things, including people better and wiser than I am and people who I want to remain my friends, and certainly including me.

Unlike "that's just my opinion", "we'll just have to agree to disagree" is open, and clear. I think it's a good way of ending an argument on good terms, without admitting defeat.

[treestar]

8. And far more polite.

That is just your opinion seem to undervalue your opinion.

[Nye Bevan]

6. Yes.

I hate that.

Just saying.

[treestar]

7. It is tautological

Though I don't agree opinions can be objectively true or false. They may be based on little knowledge or disinformation. Disagreement about the facts can cause differences of opinion.

Look how people construct their opinions based on their underlying philosophies. Libertarianism is tempting for that reason. Once you get the basic premise, the answer to everything is there (so long as you don't think too much).

[Populist_Prole]

9. Yes. Much. Infernally annoying

That and its even more lame cousin "I'm just saying".

"I'm just sayin" and "that's just my/your opinion" are most often used as a pathetic face-saving attempt when that person knows they're licked in a debate.

[el_bryanto]

10. it depends on the context

If they are using it to avoid facts they don't like that it's pretty aggravating. If it is a situation where the facts aren't clearly known by either side or one in which the facts aren't known than i think it's more acceptable.

Bryant

[Prophet 451]

11. No, I hate it too

Partly because its redundant. Partly because it's so often used by creationists and climate change deniers.

[Leme]

12. well, I think it is fine

You are goofy about this. I think you are goofy about this. That's a goofy idea. I think that's a goofy idea. In my opinion, I think that's a goofy idea.
-
The last is the least assaulting, allows for the most leeway in possible differences and yet provides a solid point for both points under discussion.

[Gormy Cuss]

13. "That's just your opinion" is dismissive.

I wouldn't even call it passive-aggressive. It's only slightly less aggressive than saying your opinion is stupid.

[Jamaal510]

14. I always thought

people say that just to avoid being flamed for posting a comment that may be either controversial or something supported by a minority of posters.

[rollin74]

15. ...

[betsuni]

16. I hate it

An example: An Australian on an international forum writes out of the blue, "Every American I've ever met is fat, loud and arrogant." All the Americans are thinking "What the ... why would anyone say that?" When someone points out that this isn't a very nice thing to say, we are given an "It's just my opinion!" The Get Out of Jail Free card to be offensive or to ignore reality and facts. I don't even use the word "opinion" anymore. It's ruined, like "awesome" and "epic."

[Lex]

17. People who state an opinion as if it is a fact annoy me more.

Some folks need to be reminded of the difference (especially those drowning in Fox News and Right Wing Jesus-ness).

[Donald Ian Rankin]

20. Almost all facts are also opinions; not all opinions are facts.

I think the difference is often overemphasised.

In general, discussion consists of two people offering their opinions as to what the facts are.

2+2 = 4 is my opinion; it is also (I am pretty sure) a fact.

[edhopper]

18. No

I use it often. Sometimes I post something I know to be fact.
Global Climate Change is occurring or the Earth is 4 billion + years old are not my opinions, they are fact.
You won't see Congress act on Climate legislation or Creationist are fools who think the Bible trumps science are opinions.
Very different.
And there are times I make definitive statements that are opinion that sound like I am saying they are fact. So the disclaimer is a good addendum.

[WinkyDink]

19. Yes! Especially when uttered by someone without supporting FACTS.

[Skittles]

21. you want I should kick some opinionated ass, Donald Ian Rankin?

yes INDEED