How do you tell your friend that you disagree with them without hurting their feelings?
Fiercelyalive
on
Aug 5, 2017
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First, it is important for you to stay calm and listen to the other person's point of you without interrupting them. Then, use "I" statements to communicate how you feel, what you think, and what you want or need. Besides, avoid putting down the other person's ideas or beliefs.
Anonymous
on
Oct 12, 2016
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I'm sorry but I disagree with you as my personal belief are different. I hope you understand that over people have different views.
softNutella25
on
Jul 29, 2016
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A good friendship is built on being able to disagree and still be respectful. Just because we disagree with others, even the ones closest to us, does not mean that we are doing so to intentionally be malicious. If you're honest with your friend, they should be able to understand that you just have a different opinion, but still respect theirs.
Remina
on
Aug 7, 2016
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The way that you can tell your friend that you disagree with them without hurting their feelings is by politely stating your opinion. You can let them know why you disagree. For example, you could just say "I am sorry, but I just don't agree with you.". it is impossible to agree with your friend every single time! It will just be a matter of how you state how you feel to your friend so you come across as respectful and mature.
emilyb1999
on
Nov 23, 2017
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You shouldnt worry about not stating your opnion incase you offend someone elses as a human you have been bkessed with the rights to say how you feel
Anonymous
on
Jul 28, 2016
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You say, "that's a good point, but what if '.....' that's also a good point also. Do you see my point of view on it, but that's just my personal opinion about it
Zoelee
on
Oct 29, 2016
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People disagree with people, and this is fine. Not every two people, no matter how similar or how close they are, will have the same view. This is ok. If you disagree with your friend and do not want to hurt their feelings simply try and say it in a kind and empathetic way. State 'I do not agree with you' and explain why. By explaining why you do not agree with them, it will help them to understand your view, and they will see it is not a personal attack, but instead a view based upon reasoning. Your friend may even be open to changing their opinion after being educated, and vice versa.
Byron17
on
Aug 2, 2016
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I would ask my friend questions about the subject. If you are sceptical about a certain aspect of it, then ask them. It might shed some light on a flaw and it could give your friend a different aspect of the subject.
Strivingforzen
on
Oct 5, 2016
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the old statement "we are going to have to agree to disagree" is very good in this type of situation.
IntuitiveJay7
on
Aug 27, 2017
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Always acknowledge that you understand the other person's viewpoint and how you can see the reason why they would think that way. Calmly state the reason why you disagree with your supporting facts. If they do not accept that, it's perfectly fine. The goal was to be expressive - not to make a point.
Anonymous
on
Oct 19, 2016
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I just let them know that I understand their point and it's their opinion but I see things differently
Anonymous
on
Aug 27, 2017
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This can be tricky, it is about tact and choosing your words carefully,
we are all different and even our closest friend or our best friend that we consider our twin, is still their own person and they will see things in their own way just like we see things in our own way. it is going to happen sometimes that we will not share the opinions of our friends, or them with us and that is ok.
Just tell them you can understand or see their point of view (hopefully you can) but that you feel or see things differently than they do, but you do value their opinion.
Be genuine and honest with your friend, remember they know you and if they respect you they will accept that you see things a little differently and that is ok.
Soulpath27
on
Jan 20, 2021
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I sandwich my opinion. Like first I recognise their approach and tell them why it is ok to think like that. Then i tell my opinion by giving them another side of picture. Then i again say something positive to them.
So I wrap my opinion but I say clearly what I think. 😊🥰
This way I dont deny them so they feel validated. But it is important to put myself clear too. So I never lie and agree on which I dont agree.
Wrapping or switching my opinion makes it tolerable and easy to understand too.
Because if i respect their opinion only then they can respect mine.🙂🥰🥰â¤
lyricalPillow3807
on
Feb 25, 2021
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1. Be kind and compassionate. Think about how you'd want to be treated in a similar situation
2. Don't Get Personal.
3. Avoid putting down the other person's ideas and beliefs
3. Use "I" statements to communicate how you feel, what you think, and what you want or need.
4. Avoid putting down the other person's ideas and beliefs.
5. Stay calm.
6. Recognize the Good
At last I say that you can tell your friend that you disagree with them without hurting their feelings is by politely stating your opinion. You can let them know why you disagree.. You say, "that's a good point, but what if '.....' that's also a good point also. What if we think of it?I hear what you are saying and I appreciate your input, and I am sensing that we both have our own unique views on this situation, No one is wrong.. but if we can make a decision together..
Alice
on
Sep 10, 2016
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One of the best ways to tell a friend that you disagree is to first acknowledge their side of the topic/situation. In doing so, you show that their feelings and beliefs are valuable. Once you've validated their opinion, you can gently explain your side of the issue. Make sure you keep the tone of your conversation neutral. It's important to understand that everyone's opinion is important. You might just learn something new by discussing your opinion with a friend -- and you might just change your mind!
Opal70
on
Nov 1, 2019
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I hear what you are saying and I appreciate your input, and I am sensing that we both have our own unique views on this situation, and neither of us are right or wrong, we just view it from our own experiences and opinions, maybe as a result of experiencing a similar situation which may be influencing how we are seeing things so differently and I respect your opinion so lets agree to disagree? Your thoughts and feelings are very important to me as well as you and your friendship. I hope we can use this experience as a learning tool.
caringairbear
on
Sep 9, 2020
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Validate their point of view. If you begin your conversation with a negative tone, your friend will already be on the defensive. I would start by listening to what they have to say, follow it up with "I hear you when you say XYZ and I respect your point of view. I see it differently" and explain your point of view. Even best friends and spouses do not agree 100% of the time. That is OK. It's normal for your friend to feel a little hurt or upset that you disagreed, but the way you deliver the message can be all the difference between quickly moving past it or creating tension.
WhalienFiftyTwo
on
Sep 20, 2020
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To avoid offending someone, the point of your statement should be to make the other person understand from YOUR point of view - not for you to challenge THEIR view.
You can show that you're disagreeing with them without making it too straightforward, like saying "I disagree" . Whenever my friends give an opinion I don't agree with, I start by saying "However, I think ______ , you understand what I'm saying?" and so on. If the other person is someone who might get offended easily, I try to show that I respect - and maybe even agree with to an extent - their opinion (if possible). To prevent any lingering negative feelings, I usually change the subject of the conversation to a more positive topic once the disagreement part is over - so the other person knows what I think, but hopefully won't have hard feelings later.
Anonymous
on
Oct 8, 2020
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You begin with a statement like "While I heard your point, I think this also could be a possibility that...." You don't tell them a no or that you disagree with them straightforward. You show that while you disagree you still care for your friend and are just putting forth your opinion. Avoid direct statements like "You are wrong." Avoid dismissing their point but give a message that you have considered their point and after that you still feel a different way. In the end if there is no middle ground, you can always say "Lets just agree to disagree as this doesn't change the fact that we are friends and lets just respect each other's opinion and move ahead."
Anonymous
on
Jan 20, 2021
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Well, tell them that you disagree. The basis on why you do so and tell them that you feel no different about them, that you are not mad at them and that you are fine with agreeing on disagreeing. That having different opinions about something does not change your relationship status or change your friendship in any way. That agreeing on everything always would be ridiculous and that it's normal to feel different about some things. And that it's okay. Of course you don't have to tell them all of this. I'm mainly telling you some points that I always remind myself and others of when we have to agree to disagree. You can pick and choose what points you want to tell your friend to make sure they understand that its just as simple as not agreeing.
Hope it goes well and my chat is always open to those who wants someone to talk to.
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