Describe a time you had a disagreement with someone
- Who was the person?
- Why did you have the disagreement?
- Was the issue resolved? If yes, how?
- How did you feel about it?
Sample 1 Describe a time you had a disagreement with someone.
I remember a time when I had a disagreement with one of my closest friends. The person was my childhood friend with whom I had a great bond since we were kids. We had been planning a trip together for a while, but when the day arrived, my friend showed up late, causing us to miss our flight.
I was upset because I had taken time off work and spent a lot of money on the trip. I told my friend how I felt and expressed my disappointment in their behaviour. On the other hand, my friend felt that I was overreacting and that things like this happen all the time.
The issue was not resolved immediately, and we spent the first day of our trip feeling angry and distant from each other. However, as the day progressed, we started talking about what had happened and tried to understand each other’s perspectives.
Eventually, we were able to resolve the issue by apologizing to each other and making a conscious effort to communicate better in the future. We both acknowledged our mistakes, and our friendship became stronger as a result.
Although the experience was unpleasant at the time, I feel that it was an important learning opportunity for both of us. It taught us the importance of communication, empathy, and understanding in any relationship. I am glad that we were able to resolve the issue and move forward with our friendship.
Sample 2 Describe a time you had a disagreement with someone.
I recall a time when I had a disagreement with my roommate. The person was someone I had just started living with, and we had only been living together for a few weeks. The disagreement arose because my roommate had a habit of leaving their dishes in the sink for days on end, which was causing an unpleasant smell and attracting insects.
I tried to approach the issue diplomatically, but my roommate became defensive and felt that I was trying to control their behaviour. The disagreement escalated, and we ended up having a heated argument about the cleanliness of the apartment.
After some time, we both calmed down and realized that we needed to find a way to resolve the issue. We sat down and had a productive conversation about our expectations for cleanliness and how we could compromise to ensure that the apartment remained clean and hygienic. We agreed to establish a cleaning schedule and to communicate more effectively about any issues that arose in the future.
Although the disagreement was initially uncomfortable, I felt relieved that we were able to resolve it in a respectful and mature manner. It taught me the importance of effective communication, compromise, and respect for each other’s perspectives in any relationship. Overall, the experience helped to strengthen our roommate relationship, and we were able to live together happily for the remainder of our lease.
Follow-Up Questions Describe a time you had a disagreement with someone.
Question 1:- If there is a disagreement, what do you do?
In the case of a disagreement, it’s important to approach the situation calmly and respectfully. Effective communication is key, and both parties should strive to understand each other’s perspectives and find common ground. It’s essential to listen actively, acknowledge the other person’s feelings and opinions, and work together to find a solution that is satisfactory for everyone involved. By resolving disagreements in a constructive and respectful manner, relationships can be strengthened, and trust can be built.
Question 2:- How can we stop disagreements from escalating into a fight?
To prevent disagreements from escalating into a fight, it’s essential to stay calm, listen actively, and communicate effectively. It’s important to avoid attacking or blaming the other person and to focus on finding a mutually agreeable solution. Both parties should strive to understand each other’s perspectives, acknowledge each other’s feelings, and work together to find a compromise. If the situation becomes heated, it’s helpful to take a break and come back to the discussion when both parties have had time to cool down. By handling disagreements with respect and maturity, conflicts can be resolved peacefully, and relationships can be maintained.
Question 3:- Who do you think should teach children to respect- teachers or parents?
Both teachers and parents play a crucial role in teaching children to respect others. Parents are the primary role models for children and can set a positive example through their own behaviour and interactions with others. Teachers, on the other hand, can reinforce these values in the classroom and help children develop empathy and respect for their peers. It’s important for both parents and teachers to work together to teach children the importance of respecting others and to provide consistent messages and expectations across different environments. Ultimately, it’s a collaborative effort between parents and teachers to instil values of respect and kindness in children.
Question 4:- What do you do when you have a disagreement with your parents?
When faced with a disagreement with parents, it’s important to approach the situation with respect and maturity. Active listening and effective communication can help to understand each other’s perspectives and work towards finding a mutually agreeable solution. It’s important to avoid becoming defensive, stay calm, and express feelings and opinions in a non-judgmental manner. If emotions become too heated, it may be helpful to take a break and come back to the discussion when everyone has had time to cool down. Ultimately, maintaining a healthy and respectful relationship with parents is key, and finding common ground through open and honest communication is essential.
Question 5:- What disagreements do parents and children usually have?
Disagreements between parents and children can arise from a variety of issues, such as school performance, curfew, social media usage, household chores, and relationships. Parents may have expectations and rules that children find unfair or overly strict, while children may want more independence and freedom than their parents are comfortable with. Additionally, differences in personality, values and communication styles can contribute to disagreements. It’s important for both parents and children to listen to each other’s perspectives, communicate openly, and work together to find a compromise that respects everyone’s needs and boundaries.