I find it pretty hard to distinguish between what is well-meaning advice -- with no ulterior motives given -- and something someone else might see as "judgment." Anytime we disagree with another, it is a kind of judgment, insomuch that we judge the other person's opinion to be not our own. Some might say it's of lesser value, but I try and look at it the other way -- that others know a lot more than I do (especially about their own lives!), and so I find it of greater value. Even if I disagree with it.

But it's hard to get that across in so many words. And it's even harder when we bring all of our own prejudices, preconceptions, experiences, etc. to the conversation -- stuff that few other members might not know anything about.

So -- like all human social interactions -- it's often complicated.

I always say try and put the best of intentions onto other people's words, since you have no idea in what manner they were meant (since we have little insight into tone, outside of the occasional smiley).

Best,
DocJohn

PS - "It says everywhere in the guidance on this site that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but not all opinions are equal or equally valid." I would love to see where we say that, because those are not words I ever recall writing.