I hope it's ok that I tell you IT'S OK.

[tamyranev]

I belong to several communities but this is the place where I most frequently see posts prefaced with "I hope it's ok to post this here." On the other communities where it happens, it always seems to be female posters who are hesitant and apologetic about their posts

Comments

[jezebelserpent]

That is a great gift your professor gave you. I also agree.

[sweetgingertea]

Wow! Thank you for that!!!!

[justcari]

I've noticed how often that happens here too - but, well....I do it more than I probably should as well.

Thanks for this. I'll try to be a bit more aware of it in myself from now on.

[gonzaloguerrero]

Yeah. I had to learn as an attorney to stop couching my statements with, "well, I believe" or "in my opinion" and simply own the statement.

[tamyranev]

I've had that come up in classes, too, especially with essay writing. "You don't have to say 'I believe'--that's obvious, because you're the one writing the essay!"

[cute_kitty]

Well, in my department (human relations), we were taught to use "I believe", "I think" etc. because it's a softer and less direct and offensive way of communicating. Also, it doesn't assume that everyone has the same viewpoint/experience (i.e. you know when you're going through labour... clearly, not everyone has... that was an example my communication class professor gave us).
Obviously, it depends on one's chosen profession. For example, in English or law, starting sentences with "I believe" is a) redundant and b)makes one seem less opinionated. However, in other fields, there is nothing wrong with using those to start sentences, for either men or women. Different fields really approach things differently I guess.

[gonzaloguerrero]

That's true. I can see where in human relations being more blunt could really cause some problems.

[girlrockets]

yeah!!! thankyou for this.