Have you ever found yourself misinterpreted? I would think that misinterpretation happens a lot. I mean different people have different perspectives. Perception is a very subjective thing.

But here's what I've got to say...

I understand differences in opinion. I respect it. I would even go as far as saying that I like it because it fosters growth among the people who debate and expand their knowledge. The best way of knowing is seeing all sides of the story to be able to paint a complete and accurate picture. The catch is it only works when there's openness and a free exchange of ideas. Patience and good temper also help.

The problem with difference in opinion is when people use it as a tool for conflict. It gets bad when people judge right away and generalize. It gets bad when quotes are manipulated and the context is taken away. Those cases are really really really annoying.

What I find so awful about people who misinterpret others is that they make a call without exerting any effort to understand the person, to clarify his/her points, to start critical thinking. The person assumes that his/her way of decoding what another person says is THE way. In such instance, the person who misinterprets turns everything to himself. It is not really the subject but his/her ego, to prove oneself right even at the cost of distorting reality.

To misinterpret without ill intention, a common product of the simple mind, is forgivable. Ignorance is not desirable but well, we can't all be brilliant. But for someone who has the mental and emotional capacity to receive, analyze, and understand matters for what they truly are and yet misinterpret because of close-mindedness and just plain conceit, that's just really terrible.

To be misinterpreted is not a good feeling. Trust me. It's terrible when others put words inside your mouth and when they think they know you when in fact they know nothing at all. (Nothing. Not the slightest truth about your person.)

My advice: Do not misinterpret others if you don't want the same thing to be done to you. Let's all respect each other's thoughts and feelings.