What does it mean to be judgmental?

I posted this here NOT because I was trying to target anyone- or Pisces.. or to bash. I wanted to answer a question and offer up my idea of what the answer may be.

What does it mean to be judgmental?
It is highly improbable that any one person knows everything about everything. In most cases, the way we (as humans) learn about the aspect of life is to acquire facts. In addition to the facts we learn, we then make assesments based upon: identified trends, social influences, and our own idea of morality and ethics. Of course, this form of opinion building is exercised by everyone, and not every opinion we form is a positive one... but the question is, when does this opinion building become more of a judgmental nature? Is being judgemental the same as forming an opinion? When is it ok to form a negative opinion about someone? Or should we all avoid negativity altogether?

Starting from the beginning, to be judgmental means: Of, relating to, or dependent on judgment....OR Inclined to make judgments, especially moral or personal ones....

In other words, whether a judgment is good or bad, or whether the ideas which are formed are factually wrong.. or logically inaccurate- the judgment in that individual's mind somehow still follows the rules of truth. The act of thinking whatever you want is certaintly acceptable in polite society, after all, your thoughts are your own. The step beyond thinking is DOING, or SAYING. The act of being judgmental (or at least being called judgmental) does not consist of what a person thinks- more so, how this person chooses to present their thoughts to others and how they choose to relate to other people based upon the opinions they have formed.

When does this opinion building become more of a judgmental nature?
When the ideas presented are no longer a person's opinion- but somehow an ideniable fact-
When a person thinks that the opposition of their ideas is a personal attack- rather than the opportunity for a healthy debate..
When you just think that your way of life is the ONLY way....

... then perhaps some people will view you as judgmental.

Branh has said, "Everyone is judgmental." Essentially, on a very BASIC and GENERAL way, he is correct. We all make judgments about our environments and use them to determine how to act/react in different situations. If I were to say, "I think Libras are the most vivacious zodiac.. and if you have a party, you MUST invite libras.." then that is a judgmental statement. BUT no one cares if you're being positive....the offense is when a person inflicts their negative judgment upon others.... especially when the judgment is unsolicited. Another example, "No one in their right mind should wear a red shirt with green pants." This statement is also judgmental-- but what does that say about your neighbor who LOVES to wear his red sweater with his olive green khakis? Perhaps his sense is style is fine, but what have you done for your neighbor outside of alienate him?

So..... Is being judgemental the same as forming an opinion?
In my opinion, no it is not. The similarity between opinions and judgments is how someone arrives at them, but the difference is how we present these ideas. An opinion is what I think- a judgement is not only what I think- but what I tell you- oh, and by the way.. I am in the right, and those of you doing otherwise should change.

When is it ok to form a negative opinion about someone? Or should we all avoid negativity altogether?
Again, in my opinion...we (as humans) make negative opinions all the time, avoiding negativity is implausible. None of us live in a vacuum; all of us are influenced by outside forces, and at times we must form opinions about those things around us. But, when when a person begins the crusade of changing others, giving other the people guidelines to which they should live b

Amen to that..🙂

Great post Seize...! Brings us back to learning ACCEPTANCE. Most definately a difficult lesson to learn...learning to accept each person for where they are in this moment...who they are...accept the differences and there is no judgement.

This is why we are here and this is why certain people come into our lives...they come as "teachers" so that we may learn. "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." It's ALL good....just lessons to learn - and that we will, in the perfect time of understanding.

That's way too long for me.

A nice problem to have Mr. Crabby! 😉

LMAO @Freebird!! Thanks for the comments everyone.

Girth PWNS lenght. Yeah, i'm ghetto.

Excellent post Seize...as usual! Forward this ESPECIALLY to Haffo and Brahn...They are the most judgemental people on the planet! LOL (No offense intended)

Smart, beautiful, funny, nice ass...I'm feeling a few lesbian tendencies coming on....

Very informative post STD. Thank you.

PS: I still think being judgemental is good in some cases (don't ask why, because I dont know why too).

Maybe this issue is needed to be digested and proved first before abandoning previous beliefs.

Honestly haffo... the posting is in response to you asking- "what does it mean?" Not persuade you to like or dislike the term... or personality trait. I didn't realize you had formulated an opinion about "being judgmental" without know what it meant.

Absolutely brlliant post Seizer, you get an A+ from me. Very well structured and beautifully presented. You're a gem, I love your work!!

Judgemental people are usually just narrow minded twits who are so scared to jump outside the square due to the own insecurities, they feel they have to take down anyone that dares to be different.

Why? Who knows, I'll never figure it out. I've got all the time in the world for an educated opinion but educated would mean to have explored both sides of the coin. This is not something that tends to be done so much by your typical judgemental jerk.

I perfectly know that this post was as an answer to my question STD 😉

My answer wasn't about being thinking that you tried to persuade me or something like that. I just gave you an additional information about how I look at the issue right now which also could mean as a doorway for new debate.

All I'm saying is that... opinions are just that- and if we cannot accept those who disagree with us, then we are not ready to learn anything about life, even less speak about it.

When we are judgmental, we lose sight of that.

Amen again.... thank you STD for your wisdom.

I understand that perfectly STD. Thank you again.

Little notice for you STD.

When I first came here, I didn't know what being judgemental mean. However I was being "judged" for being judgemental whiout even making sure that whereither I know it real meaning or not. For what I think people were the real judgementals towards me...


I think this is where you and me differs. When I see something wrong with that person, first I make sure that his knowledge about particular topic is fully in place or not. If yes then "maybe" I will judge him. You see this is human nature after all. We all not got same knowledge. Sometimes we have to take that part into consideration which I do always.

Anyway this is just my thought.

Would you say that another way to describe a judgmental person could be "a person who forms his or her own personal stereotypes"?

I'd like some input on that; I'm trying to get an idea of whether or not the term means what I think it might mean. I read the article, it's really good and makes sense. Thanks...

Being judgemental is a good tool for mind games.

Bringing a person to the state of defence will make them show their defences which can be eluded and made that person to suspect about them which will eventually change their judgement as well.