Is it normal for people to think i don't listen just because i don't agree?

In college I regularly talk about politics and philosophical beliefs, with others at the dinner table. I'm considered to be on the extreme end of the conservative spectrum, and their was a girl named anna,( or alfred later on) who was on the extreme end of the liberal spectrum.
Anyways if you couldn't guess we didn't exactly see eye to eye.
Nevertheless I enjoyed most of the debates, as I enjoy talking to people who have different ideas, it makes things more interesting.

One thing that bothered me though, looking back on the debates we used to have(she left the college) I remembered she said that I didn't listen to anything she said. This sincerely bothered me because I know for certain it isn't true. In fact I recall asking her to explain several terms to me like pansexual, and something called third gender, which I still don't understand what that is.

I did listen to the things she said and even asked follow up questions, but she insisted that I didn't listen because my own beliefs and views never changed.

is it normal for someone to think that you don't listen to them just because you don't agree with them.

Voting Results
31% Normal
Based on 16 votes (5 yes)
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Comments ( 15 )
  • richardgerecameinmyass

    Kind of normal. It seems like a petty thing to be hung up on. Have you considered joining the church of painal?

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    • RoseIsabella

      When Richard Gere shoots a load does it come with a complimentary gerbil?

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      • richardgerecameinmyass

        No, the gerbil is sold seperately.

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        • RoseIsabella

          Damn.

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  • RoseIsabella

    I get annoyed when people say I'm not listening or paying attention to what they're saying just because I haven't chosen to change my point of view to align with their beliefs. I feel that I'm a moderate for the most part, but that some of my beliefs are quite liberal and some of my other beliefs are quite conservative. When I was much younger, about 25 or 30 years ago, I was more willing to engage in heated debates. Now however, I prefer to keep things chill; I find I can really respect and appreciate those who are willing to agree to disagree. To be quite honest I tend to resent people who are just chomping at the bit to school me, show me the error of my ways and or show me the proverbial light of their point of view.

    I personally think that boundaries are a beautiful thing, and I find that the more I'm willing to respect the boundaries of others the more I am able assert my boundaries with others as well. Just because someone asks me a question doesn't mean I owe that person an answer or even a response for that matter. I also find that some of the most intolerant people are those who demand tolerance from others. Ideally so called tolerance should be a two way street, but oftentimes it's a one way thing.

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    • richardgerecameinmyass

      **hands over spiked gatorade** **waits**

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      • RoseIsabella

        Ouch!
        *impales fingers on spikes*

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  • Ellenna

    It's certainly common for people to believe that if others REALLY listened to them they'd change their beliefs but it just aint true unfortunately! You can always point out that they haven't changed their views to yours either, so they must not be listening to you.

    Do you mean Anna "changed herself" to Alfred?

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    • yes

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      • Ellenna

        Did you notice my new post only a couple of hours back about medical issues for trans people?

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        • yes I read it about 20 min ago

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          • Ellenna

            Does it apply to the person you mentioned or have you lost touch with him/her?

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            • I haven't seen her in a few months.

              She ''claimed'' to be taking hormone pills to prepare for the surgery, ...but... she was also a compulsive liar so I'm not really sure.

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