Opinions, they say, are like ---holes...everyone has one. Or in some cases, lots of them! Let's face it, if you poll 100 different people on some issues, you're likely to get as many different responses. Even the people who agree will say the same thing in different ways. Therein lays the fun! So many people, so many different opinions.

I have never had too much problem expressing my opinion, and have only recently learned that often times, it is better not to state it, as someone will undoubtedly be offended.

But I did not think that having lunch with a few fellows the other day was the sort of occasion where I should watch my words. I had been invited to join a few of my brother's friends for "Taco Tuesday" at a local Mexican restaurant. Just having relocated to the area from SoCal after many years absence, I was only too happy to find a good place to get my fix of salsa and tacos. Taco shops are a staple in southern California, and I have long been a fan. In fact, I was dismayed to not being able to find corn tortillas in the grocery stores. I guess it's just one of those things one must seek out in ethnic stores here in Michigan.

But anyway, as I sat down, I said, "the true test for a good Mexican restaurant is the salsa." Fairly innocuous, as opinions go, just my point of view.

The man seated next to me looked at me and responded "well you're pretty opinionated," without much humor.

I looked at my brother, somewhat surprised and said "am I?" He just shrugged and laughed.

I suppose I am fairly opinionated, it's been said before, I do admit. But over salsa?? Granted, where I moved from, there are festivals dedicated to the best salsa and many enthusiastic hot sauce lovers meet, taste, vote and otherwise enjoy all the delicious concoctions. The grocery stores are stocked with all the standard salsas, plus specialty ones such as garlic, mango, mild to hot in competing brands. I'm always on the lookout for the next thing in fresh salsa.

Oddly enough, this same gentleman seated next to me was equipped with his own personal brand of bottled hot sauce that he'd brought in to garnish his tacos. So I suppose it's a point of pride for him, too.

I didn't mean any offence, as I ever do, in offering an opinion. Anyone is free to agree, disagree or remain mum. Isn't that what we call conversation? I couldn't help wondering how I had managed to stir the pot.

It surprises me that people don't routinely seek out second, or third opinions, especially when it comes to a health issue. As I keep reminding my mom, medicine is an art, not a science, and each practitioner she visits will certainly have some varying disagreement in both problems and answers to it. It is up to us to find the real truth, for us, in the inquiry.

Truth, then, becomes very subjective. One true thing for one person, is not necessarily true for another. Perception is key. And feelings. And a myriad of other angles, given the subject.

I like to keep things positive, so finding the truth isn't so much the issue, as finding the positive spin on the issues. Rather like the man bemoaning his worn out shoes, seeing the man with no feet. There is always a tougher position. But for the man with worn out shoes, it's imperative to have good footwear, especially if the snow is falling. Perspective from the road we're walking.

To me, it's checking in on our own position, while relating to others' viewpoints, because we're all on this road of life together; some drive better cars and some walk. But that's just my opinion.

Nancy Nylen is a writer and recruiter, just relocated to Michigan after 30-something years in SoCal. Another in her ruminations on this oddly funny place we call earth... Visit her @ www.causeoflife.com and feel free to leave an opinion!