Do you enjoy talking politics?

[PrincessFiona]

Just thought I'd throw this question out here. I....love arguing about politics...at least online. I admit that if you talked to me live (unless you're Kelly...because...bring it on, baby!) I would probably be less likely to talk about an opposing view out of fear of offending....or...I'd be a little less forceful about my opinions. (Funny how I'm less concerned about that online :> ahem!) When we lived in Europe, discussing politics was a sport...a...blood sport akin to the SDN forums discussion sometimes. It was a blast to sit down with a group of people with completely different ideas to just duke it out over beer. No one had hurt feelings (well, I pretended not to )

I love reading discussion forums where there are heated debates and I do like jumping in and taking sides. I feel like I learn a lot...and I've been known to change my mind on certain subjects after hashing them out too.

I know not everyone feels the way that I do though.

What say you?


kris

[poky]

Re: Do you enjoy talking politics?

I don't enjoy it, myself. I don't mind reading them, as long as the attacks don't get personal, but I don't participate. I'm very much a can-see-most-sides, open-to-new-information, mediator-type in most situations, so I don't like to tie myself down to particular positions in something as complex is politics. Very specific issues, yes, I might have a strong opinion, but in general? No way. I like hearing what others think, though. :huh:

[Sheherezade]

Re: Do you enjoy talking politics?



Hey Sandy....we should hang out and talk about other people talking about politics. :> I'm the same way. I love to read the analysis, watch the debates, be "in the know" -- but I see all sides. It is hard for me to be a staunch supporter of a single position when they are all so flawed. I'll only come down hard and fast on something with those very close to me. I suppose they have to like me even if there are holes in my argument.

Re: Do you enjoy talking politics?

I do enjoy it.

[Meenah]

Re: Do you enjoy talking politics?

I enjoy it most of the time. IRL, I have found I am starting to avoid it. I worked with someone who goes out of his way to be condescending, uses references that he knows others won't be familiar with to try to make them feel stupid, and is an all around ass. I usually think of a good response about 12 hours later. How do you deal with people like this? It is sad, because these conversations could be fun, and a great learning experience too, but he is sooooo self centered that it is almost impossible. Apparently he was a Political Science major and pre-law before deciding to go to med school.

[PrincessFiona]

Re: Do you enjoy talking politics?

eh...people like that take the fun out of it. I usually let them *win* and then move on to engage with people who aren't jerks.

Re: Do you enjoy talking politics?

...someone who goes out of his way to be condescending, uses references that he knows others won't be familiar with to try to make them feel stupid...

This is exactly why we don't discuss politics with my side of the family. Some of them aren't contagious Republicans.

[peggyfromwastate]

Re: Do you enjoy talking politics?

I'm more an observer. When I first read your question, my initial response was "no."

We've had lots of political debates in our household, and since about half are dems and half are republicans, and it doesn't get nasty really, it's sort of a sport. But one I kind of see as useless, I guess. People don't really change their opinions.

[Vishenka69]

Re: Do you enjoy talking politics?

Not really, not here and not IRL. I find that I'm in my own camp when it comes to Dems or Reps and I disagree with both and have my own ideas that are just not represented by anyone specific out there today (or probably even tomorrow). I don't see the need to convince people that I'm right or prove my point of view and don't care when they try to do that to me. As long as they are not wearing Birks and capris, I don't care what their political affiliation or opinions are.

[peggyfromwastate]

Re: Do you enjoy talking politics?

Ahhh, capris and birks.... It's almost summer, isn't it!

In my family, the dems AND the republicans wear capris and birks.

[Rapunzel]

Re: Do you enjoy talking politics?

I can argue/debate/discuss politics in Texas, I've found, because people get feisty about their views but they are generally open to discussion. Here? No way! What I've found is that I keep my mouth shut about politics in the vicinity of Boston because it's more likely someone will practically kill you (seriously, name-calling, hatred, and violence all can easily come into play up here over a disagreement over a political candidate ). On the cape people are much more like Texas (and, outside of Boston, Massachusetts is actually pretty conservative and a lot more laid-back) and I've found people to be much more friendly (it is a resort area, after all ).

I like political debate as long as I know I'm not going to have a knife pulled ( ) or am not going to get screamed at hysterically.

And, Luanne, I know exactly the type of person you are describing - they exist on both sides of the aisle (I've met some of the most obnoxious liberals with comparable personalities to that conservative person you worked with). And, I think they are more concerned with their own egos than they are about the subject matter at hand.

Re: Do you enjoy talking politics?

my answer is a simple...nope!

[GrayMatterWife]

Re: Do you enjoy talking politics?

No. I hate talking politics. I don't really follow things and I feel uncomfortable expressing my views. I am always afraid that someone might not like me.

[Rapunzel]

Re: Do you enjoy talking politics?

No. I hate talking politics. I don't really follow things and I feel uncomfortable expressing my views. I am always afraid that someone might not like me.

Laughing is physically impossible for me right now!!! AGH!!! The torture!

[Meenah]

Re: Do you enjoy talking politics?

Luanne, I know exactly the type of person you are describing - they exist on both sides of the aisle (I've met some of the most obnoxious liberals with comparable personalities to that conservative person you worked with

I didn't say if he was conservative or liberal!!! As a matter of fact, he is liberal and I agree with him more than not, but he debates dirty and is just mean in my opinion.