Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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I am not one of those who like fights, but once you are in a fight it often drags others in. Invariably one has to choose a side to the fight. Remaining neutral sounds great, but it did not really work out for Switzerland during World War II and invariably people get dragged into a fight, one way or another, particularly if the fight drags on. Those that choose to remain neutral are not even necessarily respected more by the other side – one side will invariably think they are scared and the other side will think they are protecting some personal interest, or secret alliance, at the expense of what is right. It is a very delicate situation of course and one would always hope that fights don’t take place, and that you can avoid being involved in one in the first place. I do think there is quite some truth when there is a war you invariably have to be on one side or the other.
I had my fair share of fights, including at the Law Society, but I generally resolved them by standing up for what I believe is right. For example, when members of the Council wanted to replace a Johannesburg vacancy for the Council with an attorney who did not practice or reside in Johannesburg, I fought for that candidate to be from Johannesburg only – because that is what was right.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Wednesday 30-May-18
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Comments
patrick said:
on Monday 18-Jun-18 03:09 PM
One becomes neutral with the hope that he will come out of the situation smelling roses .The reality is that one should always know which side of his slice is buttered .
Ashleigh said:
on Friday 08-Jun-18 04:35 PM
Sometimes people should learn to just agree to disagree and move on. I for one fight for whats right. If I am wrong, I will own up to it too.
Prishani said:
on Friday 08-Jun-18 02:20 PM
I am a very private person and I mostly mind my own business and as far as I can I try and stay out of fights that don’t involve me or that don’t require my input. If I am faced with the undesirable situation of having to choose a side I would mostly likely pick a side after carefully weighing all opinions and views of the fight at hand.
Shristi said:
on Thursday 07-Jun-18 01:57 PM
I will always stand up for what I believe in and what is right. I do not like conflict and try to stay away from it as far as possible.
Michelle said:
on Thursday 07-Jun-18 11:56 AM
I do not like fights at all. A fight between people I care disturbs me even if I’m not part of the fight myself. Verbal fights are worse than physical fights to me, I believe the scars stays longer and some people never recover. People should just learn to relax and think rational before they say anything. Most of the time, fights can be prevented if you just take your time and think nicely about all the aspects.
Cornelie said:
on Wednesday 06-Jun-18 11:49 AM
Really not nice to witness a war and you’re in the middle how do you choose sides obviously the one who is right but do you choose then a few days or years later the two who had a fight is now best friends and you look like an idiot because you chose a side. Better to stay out of it.
Dune said:
on Wednesday 06-Jun-18 08:10 AM
I agree with this blog, you have to stand up for what is right and for what you believe in, you should not merely choose a side just because you feel intimidated or scared of what the consequences will bring. I myself always prefer to stay out of it, but in 99% of the times you do get dragged in, some people just cannot admit their mistakes and will continue until a massive fight erupts, I guess that is what some people live for.
Michelle D said:
on Tuesday 05-Jun-18 08:33 AM
It depends on what the war is about. I think neutrality is an important stance if you do not believe in the cause of the war. People that just get involved in fights for the sake of it are much worse than people that avoid getting involved.
Jessica said:
on Monday 04-Jun-18 04:35 PM
Obviously we cannot go our entire lives being devoid of conflict - it would mean then that you did not have an opinion?!
Being neutral or rather a conflict mediator is never easy!
Jolene said:
on Monday 04-Jun-18 09:56 AM
I will avoid conflict as much as possible but sometimes you are dragged into a fight if you like it or not. I will stand up for what I believe is right but I will rather not get involved if it doesn’t concern me. When you do pick a side make sure it is worth fighting for.
Sinead said:
on Monday 04-Jun-18 08:59 AM
I cannot stand taking sides and I hate being in the middle of any fights. This past weekend, I had to get involved in a petty little fight between 2 friends. Being neutral is more difficult than choosing sides sometimes because one side will still think you're against them. I will always stand by what's right. Never the easy way out...
Anyway, the whole thing is stupid and a waste of time. Honestly!
We surely can avoid conflict by not feeding into it at all.
Regarding wars, it's obviously a little bit more complicated than just picking sides.
Helen said:
on Monday 04-Jun-18 07:40 AM
I hate fights and and taking sides. I will always stay away from the conflict and will try my best not to get involve as well. Even if the person wants to start fighting with me, I will not carry on, if it is in my power I will end the fight the same time. All the fights bring the negativity only and start effecting productivity at work and relationship at home.
Tersia said:
on Monday 04-Jun-18 07:21 AM
I hate conflict. I don't like fighting with people at all, but I am also one of those who will not keep my mouth shut and will say what I think is right and will obviously stand up for myself. That is sometimes not the best approach and will get you deeper into a fight than intended. It is good to stand up for what you believe in and what you think is right, but I do think it must be handled in the right way otherwise you could be stepping on some toes and hurting people in the process.
Lucretia said:
on Friday 01-Jun-18 03:09 PM
Not everyone stands up for what they believe in. Some like to think they do but, their colours come out when the heat is turned up. Often times you know the truth and you know the wrong but you will stand behind that person regardless - does that make you a fighter or does the old adage come into play, "none are so blind as those who do not wish to see"......
Mathilda Du Preez said:
on Friday 01-Jun-18 12:19 PM
When I’m not involved in any way, I do not give my opinion or choose a side.
The fight is between the people involved and who am I to choose sides and say who is wrong or right if it had nothing to do with me.
Like Mr De Broglio says in his advert -“If it’s not your fault it shouldn’t be your problem”
Thabitha said:
on Friday 01-Jun-18 08:47 AM
I hate to be involved in fights because at the end of the day one is not happy or hurt, but what I know truth will set you free.
courtney said:
on Friday 01-Jun-18 08:28 AM
There are three sides of a story. Yours, mine and the truth. I will never take any side unless I am 100% sure of my facts and it involves me, if it doesn't involve me then its not my place to say something, Speak when spoken to!
Zindy said:
on Friday 01-Jun-18 08:10 AM
Not getting involved in conflict and in other peoples politics is always the better option but people get dragged into the situation. In that event just stand you ground and fight for what you believe in.
Liz said:
on Thursday 31-May-18 03:44 PM
I generally do not like it when people sit on the fence, it is one thing to stay neutral and another to tell both sides what they want to hear. I believe that if you are involved in a fight, know all the details, and have loyalty toward the one side involved you could take sides, however it is not worth the time and energy to become involved in every fight there is.
Daniella said:
on Thursday 31-May-18 09:23 AM
If the war doesn't concern me I wont get involved- There is always three sides of a story which is the story of the two people involved and the truth. If I'm involved I would obviously take my own side.
Tamaryn said:
on Wednesday 30-May-18 04:17 PM
When a "war" does not directly involve me I tend to stay clear of it. If I am involved at any stage, or someone I am loyal to, I will fight for what is right and stick to it. We all have so many battles we encounter each and every day that it can be exhausting becoming too involved in too many situations, fights, wars..
Melissa said:
on Wednesday 30-May-18 04:07 PM
I will only choose sides when I am involved in the fight. Otherwise just stay out of it
Brenda Du Toit said:
on Wednesday 30-May-18 01:38 PM
I think fights are not nice. You will always have war with people with the same personalities. I don't think its nice pick sides if you wrong your wrong. I will stand my ground if i am right.
Joyce said:
on Wednesday 30-May-18 12:52 PM
I think fights are not nice, think that to be dragged into a fight it is a difficult situation. I would prefer to remain neutral but then if forced to pick side, would make sure it is a fair pick.
brumilde said:
on Wednesday 30-May-18 11:29 AM
Always stand by your principles, but it is true that you have to pick a side at some stage, just make sure the side you are picking and what they are fighting for is what you stand for and believe in.
Megan said:
on Wednesday 30-May-18 10:56 AM
I don't generally get into situations where sides need to be taken. I've realised keeping to yourself and not getting involved in things that don't concern you can be very beneficial to you regarding "fights", be it physical or verbal. Minding your own, protecting your own and avoiding confrontation is easy than one thinks.
Jadine Richards said:
on Wednesday 30-May-18 10:05 AM
I will only choose a side or get involved in a confrontation if I have absolutely no choice. In my book it is not worth it. People have to take their own stands and fight for themselves. Of course this applies only to myself personality. Where you have a social or public responsibility you have to pick a side; involve yourself in everything and fight for the underdog.
Nikita said:
on Wednesday 30-May-18 09:54 AM
I hate confrontation and fighting. It is very rare that I will get involved in a fight and usually when I am in a fight it is because I have so much more going on in my life that at that point I am so over stressed that everyone around me gets it. You have to remind yourself to take a second and try to organize everything so that you can structure your way out of the stress and the problems. When you do decide to involve yourself in a fight make sure it is for the right reason and be certain that the person whose side you take will actually do the same for you if it was ever needed. There is no point in adding the stress to your life if it is something you actually know nothing about or get involved where you have not been asked to be involved.
Alexis said:
on Wednesday 30-May-18 09:44 AM
It is not always easy to choose sides - however I myself would make sure to know the full story from both to make sure before a choice is made...though I do not like conflict and will stay away from it myself - would prefer to be Switzerland
Sarah said:
on Wednesday 30-May-18 09:31 AM
Sometimes it is hard to choose sides well there is a fight going one, but I do agree with to stand up for what you believe is right. You might not always have people like you for that but its good to be true to yourself.
Henrietta said:
on Wednesday 30-May-18 09:25 AM
I'm one who doesn't like getting involve in a fight that does not concern me purely because the people who has a war can make up and then depending which side you have taken that person usually have a grudge against you. We were 4 girls growing up in the house and believe me the catfights that happened and side that we taken its not worth it. But I will stand my ground and will speak when I feel something is done unfairly or against my believe especially concerning my family and friends.
Nina said:
on Wednesday 30-May-18 09:08 AM
I agree with David on this one. Sometimes, if possible it is wise to rather completely stay out of certain fights. I also feel than many fights, unfortunately, are completely unnecessary, and if you just take a moment and ask yourself whether or not this will still matter in a few years time, you would quickly realise that the fight is just not worth it.
Natasha said:
on Wednesday 30-May-18 08:46 AM
You will always come across fights in your life weather you like it or not. But the fights you get involved with you have to choose wisely.Stand up for what is right and don't just fight because its a fight.The fight must have a valid reason not just a childish fight that everyone just wants to join because its a fight.
Fikile said:
on Wednesday 30-May-18 08:36 AM
I don't like fighting but if you do something that affects me or my family then it's going down. It's not always easy to fight but it is sometimes worth it only when people rube you off in a wrong way
Suvashnee said:
on Wednesday 30-May-18 08:33 AM
I am not a fighter but I will fight for those whom I love and what is right.
Bianca N said:
on Wednesday 30-May-18 08:30 AM
At some point in your life you will be involved in a fight whether you want to or not, and you will have to fight for what you feel is right. Having said that, I am one to believe that you should choose your battles wisely. You do not have to attend every fight you are invited to.
Clare said:
on Wednesday 30-May-18 08:16 AM
I'm not one to fight but if I am right I will stand my ground I look like a someone that doesn't fight with people but hurt my son or my family you will fall.
david said:
on Wednesday 30-May-18 07:14 AM
more important than choosing sides, is chosing which wars you get involved in.
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
