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RL political convos
How do you handle talking about politics IRL? Where I grew up, it was never discussed in social settings so it wasn't an issue. I don't know what to do when I'm surrounded by people spewing false comments about political candidates.
For example, I was back in the states this past weekend for my FIL's college graduation party. (he graduated after 17 years of going back to school!!!!) Anyway, I was caught at a table of FIL's coworkers (all in their 50s and older) who were discussing politics. BOTH sides were spewing flat out lies (some were completely ridiculous chain mail comments and others were just incorrect facts based on sound bites) I was incredibly frustrated. Most of you, on both sides, would have wanted to rip your hair out during the conversation about immigration. My friends and I discuss politics all the time, but I felt like it wasn't my place to correct people my parents' age....especially at a party where I found politics to be in inappropriate topic of discussion.
What would you do? Let it go? Or correct them?
Re: RL political convos
For me, it totally depends on the person and my relationship/comfort level with them.
If it's a good friend or family member, I might try to correct them. An acquaintance or vague stranger? I let them keep blathering with their crazy talk. And try to figure out a way to escape the conversation as soon as possible.
Yikes... I probably would've let it go considering I wouldn't have known the people having the conversation that well. If I knew them well, I would've let them know exactly where their facts were incorrect.
IRL, I don't discuss politics that much with family or friends. My family is pretty much all democrat, but isn't into politics, so they just don't discuss it. They're not particularly informed (though they're getting better over the years). My favorite uncle is very Republican and very much a McCain supporter and faked a heart attack when he saw my Obama button and asked me how I'd vote for someone that would raise his taxes... then scoffed when I told him I vote on social issues, not fiscal ones.
Most of my friends from my adult life are democrat and about as liberal as I am.
I have a few friends that are at the complete opposite end of the political spectrum and we just don't discuss politics. Period. It would be hazardous to our friendship. One of my closest, dearest friends is very conservative... which is fine... except she keeps forgetting I'm not. Which, again, would be fine if forgetting I'm not conservative didn't involve making snide comments about Democrats and inviting me to "let's make fun of the democrats when they lose" parties.
"As of page 2 this might be the most boring argument ever. It's making me long for Rape Day." - Mouse
I'm kind of the same. I don't correct people my parents age if I think they are wrong. It's disrespectful. But politics doesn't really come up in my regular conversations.
It's come up with my friends and when I disagree with them, I tell them. Our political conversations have become less civilized. I'm learning to not discuss politics with them, especially during an election year. I'm the only conservative in my group of friends and some of the things they say they can't back up and they are flat out lies. It's not worth it to get mad at friends because of politics.