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.
LOL.
Discussing climate change during a dinner. It’s a ridiculously long conversation just to learn the basic information upon which to have the conversation.
The biggest contribution would be looking at the differing climates in two nearby towns with the difference in temperature between the 1.2C the doubled CO2 is actually believed to be capable of (all else being equal).
If I had a nephew named Chauncey I wouldn’t even show up for the damn meal in the first place.
A Quarter-pounder with Cheese beats sitting across the table from someone named “Chauncey”.
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.
Go outside and BURN HIS CAR!
Teach that racist a lesson!
/sarc(???????)
Yes. It’s best to leave politics out of family conversation unless you know you’re in friendly company.
It’s like Homer Simpson said about the schoolyard, “Never say anything unless you’re absolutely sure everyone else feels exactly the same way.”
The only controversy that I care to discuss is whether it’ll be second helpings of apple, or pumpkin.
My answer: dont talk about them then, if at all.
What happened to Obama and others advice of getting in their face at holiday meals?
Oh, they stole the election so now everyone needs to shut up.
None of his advice would happen when my family gets together......we’re all communicators in one form or another.
None of his advice would happen when my family gets together......we’re all communicators in one form or another.
Nobody would show up for any of my family gatherings with this check list!
Engage in productive dialogue
Learn in the process
Respect the person you are speaking
No personal attacks
No interrupting
Practice active listening
Show that you understand
Engage in a mini ‘fact-finding’
Think before you speak
Always ask questions. You can’t go wrong that way
Always ask questions. You can’t go wrong that way
When’s the next ice age ? Answer that first
YES-—
AND-—DO NOT INVITE THOSE WHOM YOU KNOW WILL ARGUE.
That is funny. What I find funnier is that the media actually believes that families have this ongoing conversation about politics 24/7. I believe that most people don’t give politics a thought during the holidays. Politics is NOT the be all, end all that the media tries to sell.
Be a member of my large family
We have no real lefties
.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.