In light of the recent election, it is important to understand how to navigate politics around the family dinner table. Being related to people you disagree with can be frustrating, which is why it is important to address political conversations strategically.
With the holidays coming up, suppose you are sitting down for dinner, and someone brings up the election. Your very right-wing uncle and very left-wing aunt begin shouting at each other, causing your baby cousin, who has no political views, to cry. At this moment you realize that it is up to you to direct the conversation in a way that will not end with a familial breakup, or in extreme cases, the cops showing up. The following is a list of tactics anyone can use at the dinner table to approach the topic of politics in the upcoming holiday season:
- If you strive to keep the peace and avoid confrontation, the best thing to do is to stay impartial by keeping an open mind and not delving into intense conversations. When confronted with aggressive conversations, say “I can see where you’re coming from,” and keep it moving. This strategy is best for ending conversations and avoiding altercations.
- If you don’t mind confrontation but still would like to enjoy the holidays without intense drama, the best course of action is to entertain political conversations but avoid getting defensive toward others. Phrases that go along with this strategy include “Well, that’s your opinion,” and “Let’s agree to disagree.” This strategy works well when your goal is to converse while maintaining a healthy mood.
- If your goal for the holidays is to stir the pot, speak your mind as you wish. For this tactic, all speech is okay, but we recommend keeping things PG-13 by avoiding expletives.
Overall, the holidays are a time to spend with your family, which is why it is important to remember that a person is not their political views.
