Assuming? Why Do It?

There is a saying that many people use, but never truly understand what it means.  That saying is "You know what happens when we assume.  It makes an ASS out of U and ME."  I have heard this quote from so many people and they are normally very hypocritical with it.  Everyone assumes things.  Most of the time they are right, too.  Students assume they will get an F if they don't do their homework and drivers assume that other drivers will stay on their side of the road.  Although these may not always be the case, they normally are.  Assuming things only truly gets bad when you assume that someone shares the exact same beliefs that you do.  This could be as simple as assuming that your partner on a history is supposed to do something when they believe that you are supposed to do it, or all the way to someone sharing the same feelings about a person you do or don't like.  People always feel obligated to go along with the group's opinion.  This doesn't mean they do, but they always feel obligated to.  Sometimes people will speak out against the group, when they do not share the same opinion. I applaud those people.  That is the confidence and strength the world needs more of.  However, the majority of the time people will not speak out against the group's opinion.  They normally want to avoid any drama, so they just follow the group's opinion, that way they don't feel singled out.  I feel sorry for anyone who doesn't have the courage to state that they don't feel the same way as someone else.  The main problem though is not necessarily the person who doesn't speak out.  Although that would solve many misunderstandings and conflicts in the first place, sometimes the most problematic person can be the person that just assumes those people share the same beliefs as them.  This normally leads to that person putting words in the other persons mouth and person who doesn't agree could feel horrible because they are being portrayed in a way that they don't believe.  Groups always have an opinion.  Normally that opinion is truly only believed by about a half of the group, but its the half that voices their opinion more.  Assuming the other half shares the same opinion is just wrong though.  If you are the person who is just going along with the groups opinion,  stand up and fight for your beliefs and don't be the one who is feeling regret because you didn't.  If you are the person who is assuming other people share the same beliefs as you, congratulations I am very glad that you are able to see the fact that you do it. More likely if you can see it, it is not a crisis point, however that doesn't go with out saying, you still need to not assume that other people share the same opinion as you.  If you didn't put yourself under either of these categories, you are more likely apart of the group that just assumes other people share their beliefs. I know I'm in this group.  I never go along with something I don't believe, but I know this means that I am probably the person who just assumes others share the same beliefs.  I have tried to recognize it and work on it when I can, and If you were put in the same category you need to do the same.  Start with just trying to see when you assume things and then change it when you feel like it is needed or when other people think it is needed.  The quote i had mentioned before rings truth, but it is only until you realize that you need to work on not assuming things, do things actually start to get better.