It depends on the situation. Sometimes I do, and sometimes it seems easier not to.

Generally yes, but there are times when I feel it's best to just zip it!

Same as Mush, generally yes. It took me many years to learn to speak up for myself.

Certainly if someone is targeting me in a negative way but if it's just a difference of opinions, often I just let it go as it's not worth discussing.

I am afraid so. I have been told, to put a muzzle on. LOL

Moni

I have been known to.

I try to. I could do better at it though.
Leslie

This is one (of many) personality flaws I wish I could change. I've very seldom been able to speak up.....unless I'm very very angry. Then I blow, but this has not happened often in my lifetime. I guess I'm afraid I will hurt someones feelings. I need assertiveness training. dottie

Yes, most definitely. However, I have to work at picking my battles.

Absolutely!

I need someone else to answer this for me.

LOL! Seriously, I used to be bad about it, now I speak up when I need to.

Sure do. And for others, too!

For a long time I didn't. Then one day dh was out of town, the people renting from us had moved out, and someone who loaned them some stuff came by to claim it. Told them to go ahead and get it. They came back and tried to chew me up one side and down the other because the people currently renting had "destroyed" their property and I shouldn't have let them do it. Boy was that guy surprised when I stormed out of the house and backed him down the driveway with my finger poking him in the chest and chewed HIM out for letting the original people borrow from him in the first place! So yes I guess I learned how to speak up for myself. Still do to this day if I feel I have been "wronged", which isn't very often 'cause I don't put myself in those kinds of situations.

I certainly do!

Yes, of course. I have been in situations where if I didn't stand up for myself, nobody else would either. You have to be your own best advocate.

I am very assertive......think it comes from working around doctors a lot.
My Dad always said to stand up for what you believe and I do.

No, mostly I avoid confronting anyone. I have a terrible time making left turns when I drive.

As a matter of fact, I did just that today at WM. After a couple year hiatus, following my last tirade, again it happened today. Paid by check for exact amount, they asked for drivers license, ok, then asked for my phone number. I refused, so checker had to get permission to override the register so it would accept the check. Then I went to Customer Service and told them that I felt that asking for my phone number in addition to DL was uncalled for. The two ladies there flagged down a couple of other employees who were passing by (managers???) and told them what I had said. They told me that it is a requirement of the check cashing service and I said that I didn't care who it was, it is invasive and intrusive and that I would shop somewhere else. They said that "most all" stores use this check cashing outfit, but I've not run into this at either of the other large supermarkets in our area. They said they would pass it on to upper management (with a tone and attitude that said 'oh boy, another whacko').

I have been shopping and paying by check there for 6 years.

Whew, thanks for listening!

If I think it will do any good I will. Sometimes I figure "Can't complain, wouldn't do any good anyway."

However, mess with my kids and the momma bear claws come out. ;o)

Sometimes, sometimes not. Although I do tend to speak up frequently for people who don't, won't or can't.

lydia, that was funny. I hope you do stand up for yourself though. People will take you more seriously, especially family.

Most of the time, when it seems to be indicated.

dot mom,

If you can stand up for yourself early on, before you feel so put upon that you've become really angry, it works better.

When we get really angry, it's hard to think straight, and when we're in a confrontation, we need to be thinking carefully.

Dad used to say that when a bull got mad ... he lowered his head and ran at the reason for the anger. Trouble is, when the head went down, he couldn't see well. If he were able to see where he was going ... matadors'd have a much more precarious life.

Good wishes for speaking up, quietly and courteously, earlier ... and keeping your head about you as you do.

ole joyful

P.S. Dad used to say that it was bad enough to be crapped on ...

... but what really got his goat was when people rubbed it in!

o j

I have a hard time standing up for myself. I guess it's because I don't want to hurt anyones feelings either. I need to work on it I know.
My daughter sure doesn't have a hard time though.
She has learned to do it in a more diplomatic way though than she used to. She isn't going to take any c++p from anyone.

Yep, but seems like I just get ugly when I do speak up for myself.

No, I don't. *sigh*