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.
If only everyone ascribed to that, how much more pleasant the world would be...and quieter, too. Come to think of it, many leftists would have nothing at all to say.
Not the cowardly libs I know. They just like to throw out some idiotic liberal "zinger"-- and then before you can respond, they quickly say, "But I don't really want to get into it right now."
They've learned not to say that around me because if they bring it up, they're going to get a response from me whether they want one or not.
If someone has gone to the trouble to do all the work it takes for a nice meal to celebrate Jesus’ birthday, don’t talk politics, especially to irrational people.
1. Use NRA napkins
2. Wear your shoulder holster with your Ruger LCR
3. Announce that conversation topics related to bedwetting liberal issues will not be discussed.
Lol.....you’re right.
But it’s a total waste of time and effort to attempt to discuss such things with a liberal.
Is that after everyone gets drunk and before flying food? LOL
The Libs shouldn’t even be with other people this year. They should be told to stay home and eat dirt.
I see no reason for this to be a thing.
Whenever we have a heated argument at the table during the holidays, I shoot one of the lesser known cousins and everyone starts agreeing with me.
Don’t worry....I just wing em a little.
I guess liberals are idiots who need to have their hands held and be told what to do in every situation.
It’s most fun to debate liberals in front of as many as possible.
The silence of the other liberals not in your argument is taken by the liberal you are debating as support for you and disdain for them. They psych themselves out while you pound them into the ground.
It’s always beautiful and the most fun one can have.
“ I found its always Libs who start political discussion. ..and then...we’ll ya know.”
Yes. Just ask them why liberals exempt themselves from common courtesy, and then point out that anyone with an ounce of politeness or respect for the host would not ruin the atmosphere at holiday meals with political talk.
If they have such great ideas, they can write them down and publish them rather than annoy people trying enjoy to a family get-together.
I stand mute.
As the great Rush pointed out, “You can discuss issues with a liberal for about thirty seconds, then they start calling you names.”
I don’t allow speaking during mealtimes.
So did my mom. It’s good advice which I practice often.
Whether it be women, bosses, cops, or whomever, when I speak is when I seem to get in trouble. (I tend to speak more truth than most people can handle in one shot.)
I’ve found that I’m better off if I just shut up. Some may think me stuck up, but then I tell them what I wanted to say, and they agree that it was better to remain silent.
We’re alone, together.
There’s nothing that can be resolved temporarily through use of diplomacy that couldn’t also be settled permanently by means of a liberal application of high explosives.
Never raise you voice when you should be reloading.
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