Topic > Social conflicts: understanding when to respond and when to remain silent

“A 'No' uttered with the deepest conviction is better than a 'Yes' uttered simply to please or, worse, to avoid problems. - Mahatma Gandhi Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In today's society, some individuals tell white lies or tell others what they think the other person wants to hear so they can avoid conflicts and maintain friendships. Often, those who lack the courage to tell the truth use euphemisms, or “half-truths,” to avoid offending a colleague or colleague. Telling the truth, however, is the most honest form of communication. Unfortunately, in our society some people do not respond favorably to the truth and, instead, respond in a way that creates conflict. Speaking honest trust takes courage, particularly in situations where one believes that honesty will result in persecution, alienation, or harsh judgment. Examples:: When you are in a group of peers and they start talking badly about a person who you think is a good person - it's easy to stand up to the crowd again for that person or it's easy to stay silent. Silence is a way of saying "no": if you do not take sides against the opposition and remain silent, you are, so to speak, in agreement with those who speak badly of someone. Another example - in a group of people who support abortion for a pregnant friend: how easy is it to take a stand in opposition or is it easier to avoid conflict and hide your truths? Last example, when a friend tells you how much she loves her new outfit or hairstyle and yet you think it's the ugliest thing ever, do you agree with them or speak up and say "actually no, it's not at all flattering"? Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay I believe in all situations it is very contextual. How much do you want to remain friends with this person? If you want to be close friends, you're likely to go along with them, but if you don't care about maintaining the friendship, then you might be more inclined to speak up. The situational topic also makes a difference. If someone really spoke badly about a close teammate, you might disagree with them to save the reputation of the teammate and the team. But, if they spoke badly about someone you didn't know very well, you might not speak up because it's not worth getting involved in the drama. See where I'm going with this? The context of the situation - who the person is, the things they are saying or doing, the timing, and how important the issue is to you, causes people to speak up, speak up, or keep their thoughts silent.