JORGE RODRIGUES SIMAO

It's somewhat of an understatement when I say that many people love to argue, that arguing is their favorite pastime. These neurotics are willing to partake in any dispute. By engaging you in a verbal battle, they get a chance to discredit your ideas and beliefs. Some desperate people will even argue about absolutely nothing just for the sake of arguing and trying to win a debate. At some point - likely much too late - you will realize how unreasonable these people are if you take their bait. Fact is, argumentative people will run you completely off your rails if you allow them.

You yourself may love debating issues but you must realize that your life is much too short to waste on frivolous arguments, even with friends, relatives, and your spouse.

Plain and simple, arguing over trivial matters wastes time and energy that could be utilized doing some real living.

Just as important, perhaps, is the fact that it's not worth getting involved in an argument that you can't win.

Whenever you catch yourself arguing with a friend or relative, ask yourself where the argument may lead.

What is the payoff?

 If you must make a point, make it and leave it at that.

You probably won't succeed in changing the opinion of most people, regardless of how relevant your facts are, and how well you argue your case.

How about when you definitely know that you are right, and someone else is terribly wrong, in an important matter that can affect the person's health or financial well-being?

The problem is that with certain individuals, the more you try to influence their thinking, the more they will resist.

To oppose unreasonable people is to encourage them.

Leave them alone.

Often it is best to let people learn for themselves what they are doing wrong.

People will learn faster by making their own mistakes.

As Josh Billings once proclaimed, "The best way to convince a fool he is wrong is to let him have his way."

Wasting time on arguments with friends, relatives, and spouses is one thing.

We have to seriously question our own sanity, however, when we find ourselves debating with someone whose favorite pastime is arguing.

Plain and simple, some people are just opposition looking for something to oppose opposition is where they are coming from and opposition is where they are headed.

You will find your beliefs under attack regardless of what you believe.

Whatever side you take, they will argue the opposite.

If their view of life is radically different from yours, it gets worse.

The more you poke holes in their arguments, the more unreasonable they become.

Irrespective of the many facts you present to support your position, they will be oblivious to them.

Truth and logic don’t matter to them.

People who love to argue will zealously promote useless ideas, defend poor reasoning, and defy clarity.

They will never change their tune regardless of how much overwhelming evidence you have to offer.

Of the many principles for dealing with argumentative individuals, these four stand out:

(1) Anything worth arguing about is probably worth avoiding even more.

(2) You can't outtalk people who don't know what they - or you - are talking about.

(3) An argument carried far enough will make it totally worthless.

(4) No one ever won an argument that lost a friend.

Clearly, whenever you find yourself in a ridiculous argument, it's best to get out of it immediately.

You may be tempted to get worked up about it, or even throw a temper tantrum.

Don't take the bait.

Allowing someone to make you angry is allowing him or her to control you.

An effective way to get rid of an argument addict is to ignore the person.

Keep your cool and be on your merry way.

The best overall response is to avoid the neurotics who love to argue.

The next time you are tempted to get involved in a debate with an irrational person, ask yourself why you would want to convert an idiot to your cause.

What's more, it's important to respect the First Law of Debate as proposed by Arthur Bloch: "Never argue with a fool - people may not know the difference."

Allow me to put another way: There's insanity on both sides of the debate when you argue with an idiot.