Originally Posted By: 97tbird
fortunately, we see her rarely - she is on FaceBook, though, so I still have to resist the urge to confront her that way - (I can think of some nice ways to do it, like pretend I still believe she has visited Japan and has a lot of experience and asking about her visit and then say "ohhh...so you have NOT seen Japan, so do tell, how did you decide it is trite..." etc etc...
BUT I think you guys are right; it's not worth it, and I need some anger management perhaps...
I'm pretty sure I know how you feel.
One of my high school teachers said -- only once, and it was burned in my mind -- that behind all anger is fear. I have never found a counterexample, and I think it's great advice. When I'm in a situation like the one you described, my initial reaction is usually some kind of anger, and I think it's because I feel threatened that someone so ignorant could have any say at all in a subject that is important to me -- let alone when someone close to me is involved.
I think it makes sense, honestly. And I've noticed that if I think about it rationally, I understand that if the person really is as ignorant as I think, there is no reason why that person should have any power over anyone whose opinion I care about. The only power they have is what they are given. When I remind myself of that, I don't get angry.
Now, sometimes I think I have something to gain by debating someone that I think is ignorant. It doesn't always work but occasionally it turns out they just have a different opinion and I can learn from it -- or learn that I am wrong -- by fleshing it out and debating with them. That's different.