Many people resort to yelling or insults when they feel conflicted in an argument. This, however, turns the conversation into a fight, which is the worst way to get a point across. There is a vast difference between arguing and fighting. Sometimes, settling a dispute can only be done by agreeing to disagree.

Fights are normally intertwined with personal feelings that cause someone to feel unheard, which may end up with yelling, or, even worse, getting physical. Those who are uninformed on how to argue think their only option is to yell when life does not go their way. Along with that, fighting has one goal, and it is to win. People who fight with others have no interest or intention of finding a way to ensure a mutual solution for everyone involved. This may tumble into lying or agreeing with heinous ideas just to prove their point.

However, arguing is aimed to resolve a disagreement. This may mean that neither person wins, but both leave with a feeling of respect and peace. Arguing is finding reasoning and searching for a middle ground from someone with differing values and morals. At times, it can be frustrating to listen to another refusing to change their perspective or see another side, but yelling will not make someone listen more.

Arguing can often be coupled with the same definition of a fight because of their similarities like mostly occurring between two or a group of people and debating over a topic. One of the biggest differences is emotion. Personal feelings of anger or frustration frequently override someone’s mind when arguing. Paired with misinformation, it leads into the beginnings of an altercation. Fights do not intend on settling—their only purpose is to strengthen someone’s pride.

Although the word “disagreement” has a negative connotation, it is normal human behavior to do so. In order to keep this from becoming a fight, people should learn how to put their pride down and hear what or why someone feels a certain way about the topic. If it seems like it is going nowhere, take a break from each other and return before a fight starts.

Feelings are valid, but the way one expresses them is not always in a mature delivery. No two people from differing political parties will ever completely agree on everything for example, but that should not equate to hatred. It should allow understanding and new perspectives to open up.