Posted on 12/25/2020 4:03:08 PM PST by nickcarraway
The holidays can bring tons of cheer and conversation, but sometimes they can turn sour when the hot-button issues are mentioned.
“Holidays are often a special time to catch up with family and friends, but things can turn sour when you and Uncle Joe come to blows around an issue like climate change,” said Virginia Tech Assistant Professor Todd Schenk.
But instead of avoiding it, Schenk says you should engage in productive dialogue.
“It is typically healthier to find ways to have more respectful dialogue, and we can often learn in the process,” said Schenk.
For those willing to dive into the conversation, he has some tips to turn a sour speech into constructive conversation.
Respect the person you are speaking with and accept that they have positive and negative traits. Abide by a set of ‘ground rules’ such as no personal attacks and no interrupting. Describe your views while avoiding assumptions about others. Practice ‘active listening’ by asking questions to further understand the other person’s views and show that you understand what they are saying. Be open to that person’s views. If it’s science-oriented, like climate change, engage in a mini ‘fact-finding’ process where both of you learn where your opinions converge and diverge. Which sources do both of you agree are credible or not? Schenk offered one last piece of advice which he says is many times the most difficult.
“Think before you speak. We all say things we regret from time to time, but those situations are best avoided if we can,” said Schenk.
If all else fails, there’s always eggnog.
Whoever owns the house...rules.
Advice from an assistant professor ?
Sure, why not?
Mom always said.
“If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
If we followed CBS’s advice, we’d all be at home alone anyway.
I found its always Libs who start political discussion. ..and then...we’ll ya know
Where’s the fun in any of that? Wouldn’t old socialist Uncle Joe look better wearing that bowl of mashed potatoes on his head? How about using SJW nephew Chauncey’s nose to plow some new furrows in the vegetable garden?
CBS has been about as far from this as you can get for the last 5 years.
Never go into a hostile environment unless you are packing. Fire first.
Politics are not to be discussed at our Christmas. Not that we disagree, we are just too stressed by it.
Hey, these beans are salty - - - But that’s just how I like them.
The Libs don’t want a discussion, they just want to fight.
Just say Biden is lying, cheating son of a bitch and I’ll be glad to tell you why if you’re interested. It won’t be a boring family meal if you do.
The leftist scum at CBS must know that they stole the friggin election.
The solution is quite easy: No one is permitted to talk about plaster parrots with clocks in their breasts.
I.e. No polly-ticks
Which they don't recognize and mistakenly believe I'm agreeing with them.
I only give him/it a 1/2 go f himself cause he’s/its only an assistant what they try and pass for today, professor.
Folks,
Many families were divided on the civil war issues. How did they handle it?
do that......................
Covid gave me a great excuse this year to not have to deal with liberal family members - usually the spouses
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