But What Are the Other Two?

It is rumoured that some people grew up being warned that politics is one  of the three subjects that polite people  should rarely, or perhaps never discuss. Do you agree with this warning? Do you follow it? Is politics a regular subject of discussion between you and your circle of family or friends? Do you enjoy political discourse?

Finally, on a personal note, if politics is indeed one of three off-limit subjects, could  someone please tell that to my clients, because, really, they seem very focused on that particular subject. How odd.

Comments

[kenju]

I generally HATE politics. I was once asked by a candidate for local office if I was interested in good politics. My answer was that I was interested in good government, but I didn't give a damn about politics. It still stands.

[Keith]

If the other person is willing to have an honest and open discussion I enjoy talking politics. Unfortunately most of my family and friends are either so far right or left that they believe their candidate can do no wrong and the opposing candidate can do no right. Kind of sad

[msralph]

I follow no code of ethics. I talk constantly about things I think, this causes others major concern. heh

[Jennie]

Funny you should ask this because I've been pondering this very thing. Why, if our government is so important to us, can we not face it and discuss it responsibly? Or remain in a room if someone else is? I don't understand why it makes us so uncomfortable, I assume it's because it is so difficult to trust a candidate or party that once we begin to, it hurts too much to hear any opposing view. So, yes I agree with the warning if you don't want people to go running from the room, but I don't pay much attention to it. If two people want to discuss, let them discuss. I don't enjoy it too much because I don't know a lot about politics, but I try to listen to various views.

[Jennie]

Hey Michele, if you would start a political blog, I'd read it!

[Bev]

There are some people with whom I talk politics all the time; other people with whom I wouldn't dare bring it up.

[anniebird]

I think we should be able to discuss politics but that we are seldom able to do so; Jennie has a good theory about why this is true. I think it might be true that all of us, regardless of our political persuasion, take some part of our identity from our chosen party. It makes sense, then, that we can't hear criticism without feeling personally attacked.

I have to admit that, living in a liberal state among lots of outspoken liberals, I grow tired of the assumption that everyone agrees with the liberal view point. I'll confess here that I don't spend too much time inviting that point of view.

This is a polarized election borne on the shoulders of partisan nastiness that has been years in the making. It's good to hold on to the idea that above all else, every person deserves to be treated with kindness. Political discourse among regular citizens is both a responsibility and a glorious privilege; there's a tension between embracing this and keeping interpersonal peace that I haven't figured out yet.

[Becky68]

My family discusses politics (my mother & one of her brothers didn't speak for 15 years once over a political difference of opinion) for better or worse.
I'm a blue person living in an adamantly red state (seems to be the reverse of Anniebird above me) and I have learned to tread lightly.
I have discussed politics with friends & co-workers plenty but tend to feel people out a little bit before going off spouting the uber-liberal political agenda my parents raised me with.
I also try to be careful who I forward the political stuff my mother sends to me so as not to offend my more conservative friends.

[Sara]

My friends and I discuss politics...but, it's not high on my list...of topics to talk about!

[Mamacita]

I'm not much on discussing politics, but more and more I think it's because nobody I know seems to ever agree with me on anything!

[Shephard]

After erasing my comment, I've decided I generally avoid talking about it. I don't always WANT to know who lacks compassion.
~S

[david (tree house man)]

talking politics is fine as long as its not with the significant other,

[Shannon H.]

My mother always told me to never discuss politics or religion with family or friends. I could never figure out just who I was to discuss those topics with. Now, I do discuss them with caution among friends and family. But the topics do cause heated debates.