What is your definition for "Open Minded" ?

Question

The meaning changes from a  country  to another,  culture  to another,  town  to another, etc... When I tell most  Lebanese  girls/women that am an open minded person, they accuse me to be a  "Sexual Delinquent",  because for them, the definition is equal to a person who should be sexually open to any experience, as well as hooking up and having one night stands. Basically, when a boyfriend asks his girlfriend to be more open minded, it means he is asking for her to  consent  to a  sexual intercourse,  while it is completely different, and even the  dictionary  agrees with me, still the last girl I have dated accused me of being a  "Sexual Delinquent". As far as I know, being open minded is not only related to the "Sexual" topic, but in everything, such as food, clothes, world, space, new cultures, discoveries, etc...  So what is your own personal opinion and definition for open minded? Are you an open minded person yourself?

BlueCoyote · Accepted Answer

That's interesting. I never thought of "open minded" as a term that is somehow related to sex or sexuality. Of course it *can* be related to that but usually it's not (in my opinion/experience).

To me, "open minded" basically means that you are curious about the world and that you are willing to try new things. For example when you travel to a different country and you are served a dish that is strange or unknown to you, you would at least try it before making a judgment. You wouldn't just say "that looks gross, it must be gross".

To me, "open minded" has a lot to do with being relaxed and, to a degree, empathetic about the world around you. It doesn't mean that you have to like something or agree with it - but it does mean that you are willing to understand it or see its appeal.
This can be applied to many different areas of life. For example some aspects of my wife's culture are strange to me. However, I still try to empathize with her and other people from her culture to see why those things might be considered important or valuable. In the same way, I am an atheist but I have read and studied religions for many years (also attended a somewhat religious high school) to empathize with people who are religious. Finally, in the case of sex, "open minded" would mean that you are willing to try out something new without pre-judging it as bad. For example the first time I wanted to try anal sex with my wife (back then she was my girlfriend), she was very skeptical. So I said to her: "let's make a deal. Let's try it out two or three times. After that, we can talk and if you hate it, we won't ever do it again. But let's try it out first." She was happy with that and agreed to try it out. I appreciated this very much because it showed me that she is willing to try and understand me as an individual.

So, maybe to summarize it into one sentence, "open minded" means to me that you are not judgmental. You don't approach things/people with pre-made prejudices and you don't judge something to be bad without having good and rational reasons for your judgment.

I would say that I am a very open minded person. But of course that's just a self-assessment. You would have to ask people who know me well to receive a more accurate account. What I can tell you is that I certainly give my best to try and be open minded. And I don't mind people pointing out to me when I'm not and criticizing me.

nightdrot · Accepted Answer

Your definition seems adequate. The real issue is to what an open mind is for. As G. K. Chesterton said, "The purpose of an open mind, like an open mouth, is to close it down again upon something hard."

In that connection, the problem with the idea of an open mind as the term is understood today is that it no longer means a fair consideration of data, and a willingness to approach an issue in light of that data. Rather, it has come to mean a refusal to make any judgments.

To accept what is and make no judgment on its merits. It is moral relativism and intellectual vacuity tarted up as principle. That's a problem as many crimes can be justified by such reasoning.

Halligan · Accepted Answer

I think “open minded” has been associated with sex recently because people are so close minded except for sex and use the term interchangeably.

You watch tv shows about taboos and fetishes and people say, “we’re very open minded about this”. Social media is filled with oxymoronic people using “open-minded” to fuel their hobbies while they spew hate speech. 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

I view open mindedness as more of a personality trait, which most people don’t have, people say they have, and is severely underrated.

CHARismatic110 · Accepted Answer

To me it means that you're willing to at least listen to opposing sides and views. Things that you may not agree with but you're willing to listen to what someone that does has to say. Being open minded is being able to agree to disagree.

SketchForger · Answer

Open minded is being able to leave things open to interpretation and understanding.

People who are closed minded say their opinions are facts.

People who are narrow minded believe their own beliefs are the majority mindset.

People who are open minded are not repulsed from hearing other views, but are able to be bothered by them if they conflict with the well being of others.
PEOPLE who don't care at all and will listen and take information in and apply it how they wish, neither for, nor against anything.

Ellie-V · Answer

It means that you don’t limit yourself to opportunities that could potentially be beneficial in some way, big or small.
It doesn’t always have to be a sexual thing. Being open minded is saying you’ve put your way of thinking on a spectrum. I consider myself open minded. It allows me to enjoy my surroundings, create new adventures, and explore different sources of happiness. People who are not open minded are holding themselves back. And I can’t live that way, feeling restrained.

BossesDaughter · Answer

I believe that open minded means you can alwys accept new ideas, ways, people, change, the unknown, and not be intimated by the unkown. This is actually hard for a lot of people. But I really think he we all took a moment to really try and understand anything, and anyone, we will have more good in the world.

BuchitaBuchys · Answer

I guess it's those people who listen to opposing views not necessarily with intent to argue, but understand. And willing to be challenged and change their mind if need be.

I wouldn't say I'm the most open minded, but I'm willing to reconsider my stance provided there's sufficient, reliable data. I've changed my stance many times before.

menina · Answer

Accusing you of being a "Sexual Delinquent" makes no sense. These girls don't know what open-minded means.
No offense, but this makes me laugh.

I think that a open-minded person is someone who doesn't judge others, who is curious about things they don't know, who wants to have new experiences and who doesn't criticize those who have opposite ideas.

Lolipop21 · Answer

An open mind person is someone who accept everybody. Accept the fact that not everyone agrees with them and that people have different opinions, perceptions, religions.. etc. Someone who is open to discover new cultures, an curious to know new things always
by the way انت لبناني ؟

aicarg · Answer

Open mindedness to me is being accepting to new thoughts/ideas - one doesn't have to agree nor accept them, be be humble to listen and learn a new perspective. An open minded person also stretches out to being willing in immersing themself to try new experiences (may they be a new activity/food/learning about a new culture), they're open to experience what life has to offer in bettering themself as a person.

dancing_in_nebulas · Answer

Depends on context.

People use it to basically say, I am not against this topic.

"What do you think of gay marriage?

"Im pretty open minded about it."

"What do you think about polyamorous marriages?"

"Not my thing, but I have an open mind for those who do."

Its like a way to smoothly agree with something, or plead smoothly if its something you dont, as not to offend the other person.

jean_A · Answer

I like to define it as not bound to your own believes. But willing to invest time to find other people their view in things. But the modern use of it for girls is, well to just be a s slut. But saying you are a slut is negative somehow. So they abuse words and fuck up comunication once again. I am open-minded in both ways.

EvilAngel114 · Answer

Open minded to me is to either listen to others opinions or try something new; free of bias and judgment or be. That could be anything. Not necessarily sexual.

DizzyDesii · Answer

Open minded as in IM WILLING TO HEAR YOU OUT. But if i dont like what you're saying, then ima judge yo azz

dragonfly6516 · Answer

You listen and get all versions and sides of a story before judging, it making a decision if your own.

sadismyname · Answer

It's being open to hear every different opinion and not get annoyed if they doesn't match yours. And being open to change your opinion if others were right. Trying to see things from other people's view. But it doesn't mean not having self boundaries for what is right or wrong , it's about not getting offended if others doesn't think the same as we do or telling you you're wrong.

fauchelevent · Answer

I suppose to me, if someone is open-minded then they are flexible, open to new experiences, open to hearing the opinions of others and developing their own beliefs based upon them; most importantly, they are able to admit when they are wrong and attempt to grow from these instances.

TuMeManques · Answer

Open minded to me means I'm willing to calmly listen to your beliefs and I'm willing to respect you despite any differences we may have.

SarahsSummer · Answer

I assume it just means being open to new sexual ideas/suggestions by my mate.

Angelina25 · Answer

I suppose for me, it's all about how open they are to new ideas, and how willing they are to accept new, different ideas and not simply throw them away for the sake of keeping one's own opinions

Pamina · Answer

Being open to new ideas and not judging them based merely on the fact that they are different than what I am used to.

bubble_tea · Answer

Open minded means to me, you're willing to really listen to new ideas, not thinking about what you're going to reply next to defend your position when you're supposed to be listening.

Soteris · Answer

1: Be open to being wrong and learn from it. 2: Be interested in other points of view. 3: Be willing to forgive.

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