Posted on 01/03/2012 11:08:12 AM PST by EricTheRed_VocalMinority
Boy, did I step in it today.
Late this past fall, during a workplace interaction that turned briefly to politics -- the conservation, if I recall correctly, was sparked by of the GOP debates the previous night -- it was made apparent that I was the conservative/Republican in the room. This revelation did not please one of my co-workers, a presumably pleasant, professional, and mild-mannered lady in her mid-to-late fifties. Not the first time experiencing such unpleasantness, I watched this person transform before my very eyes into a bitter, enraged, wild-eyed, finger-waving, aging hippie.
Being both a tease and a glutton for punishment, I vowed to tweak this emotionally fragile hyper-liberal whenever the opportunity arose.
Such an opportunity arose this morning: I jokingly asked this co-worker if she was going to watch the Iowa caucuses tonight. That was enough to set her off on a tirade enumerating everything wrong and/or evil that several GOP candidates have done. (Did Rick Santorum actually say he would repeal the Civil Rights Act? That's what she told me but I can't seem to find it on the web. Hmmm.)
But here's the kicker: Trying to civilly end the debate, I told her that even though we disagree on politics, "I love ya anyway."
And she smugly refused to return the sentiment!
When I called her on it, she said she couldn't like someone whose positions and whose candidates would "destroy the country."
Citing her hero Obama as exhibit A, I suggested that the two of us had different ideas on what constitutes "destroying the country," but followed up by saying, "I guess I'm the one showing tolerance and acceptance because I still like you even though we disagree."
Again, she let me know in no uncertain terms that, my feelings toward her notwithstanding, she did not like me.
A Reform-ish Jew living in this blue Northeast area of NJ/NY/PA, etc., I've known plenty of people whom I've disagreed politically. But this is the first time I can remember someone actually saying they don't like me once she found out my politics.
Luckily, I only see this person once a week. How should I interact with her from now on? Am I wrong to have taken this so personally?
Looks like she’s the one who’s taking it personally. Maybe, deep down, do you think it doesn’t make a difference to you whether she likes you or not?
FU all liberals!
Tell her to go F herself and drop dead. If she can’t agree to disagree civilly, neither should you.
Lawyer up. No kidding.
That's because she is being honest. Many on that side are frothing over with hate.
Personally, I like to be liked by others and it pains me when someone doesn't (just being honest).
Libtards are always the most intolerant people in any room.
Just keep speaking truth AT her, liberals hate the truth.
An example would be "Hey, did you hear that Cher's daughter got kicked off Dancing with the Stars?"
Eventually she will make an excuse to NOT see you once a week or just outright quit.
You do not need lunatics in your life and you will feel better in the end.
Just one more reason why the Red States should separate from the Blue.
Sounds like she is the one with the problem and most likely a miserable life. Just smile and move on knowing her life sucks and yours doesn’t.
“...this is the first time I can remember someone actually saying they don’t like me once she found out my politics.”
He must not work with many leftists, then.
Stop tweaking her and start documenting your interactions with her in a small notebook.
You will need it when she files a formal complaint against you for creating a “hostile” work environment.
As we get closer to November and it becomes clear that the majority of Americans want to replace Obama, her type will become more hysterical, angry and vengeful.
All those that hung the savior’s mantle on Obama are deeply disappointed by the intransigence of reality in refusing to conform to their fantasies of how the world should work. They have a fundamental thinking disorder and they will react poorly when their construct comes crashing down.
“How should I interact with her from now on?”
Well, since you asked, I would recommend you take the high road and be civil to her whenever you see her. Don’t be artificially, overly pleasant, but simply be polite and friendly. Firstly, I think it’s generally the right thing to do (two wrongs don’t make a right). Secondly, other acquaintances, who don’t yet agree with you politically, may perceive the obvious difference between a pleasant, logical conservative such as yourself in comparison to a bitter angry liberal such as her, and it could help bring some of them around to a more positive opinion of conservatives.
I just went through this for the last 6 mohts.
Here are my lessons learned.
1. Do not converse with her unless there are witnesses.
2. Document everything with proof.
3. Do not talk bad about her (or at all) because she will have alliances that you are not aware of.
4. Don’t be tempted to do anything stupid.
5. Maintain your civility and honor, no matter what. In the end you will prevail, come out on top and the rest of your colleagues will see what a low-class inferior being she is.
God Bless!
We tried that once. Didn’t work out too well for us :)
“Stop tweaking her and start documenting your interactions with her in a small notebook.
You will need it when she files a formal complaint against you for creating a hostile work environment.”
Indeed, I would make a point of never being alone with her in the same room, do not discount the possibility of her making up something totally false out of “whole cloth” to get you fired.
In particular do not make any remarks in the workplace to her or any one else having anything to do with race, ethnicity,Islam women’s rights, sexual orientation or gun ownership. Assume you have a target on your back.
(I speak from experience)
Publish her e-mail address Hehe
We tried that once. Didnt work out too well for us :)””
A different time and different issues. History shows many peaceful separations have occurred. See former USSR and Checkoslavakia for contemporary examples.
Good advice.
Also - do not discuss her and/or anything related to the conflict with any other colleague.
In a group - make one apology for any misunderstanding and never speak to her again on anything but ‘work-related’ issues. No small talk, no personal talk about ANYTHING!!!
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