How does politics figure in your social conversations these days?

at the office, we often ridicule the orangutan and his blunder of the day.

I can only discuss politics (in person) with people of like mind. Without the filters of a keyboard and an anonymous persona, without the chance to frame my thoughts in an uninterrupted fashion, without the chance to change the choice of words used, or syntax, I am too volatile.
I have a few people with whom I have remarkably dull conversations these days, which actually speaks very well of the depth of affection that we share, as we are deeply unwilling to offend each other. I can hope that we come out the other side with that affection intact.

It’s generally avoided altogether among friends and family, at work it’s quite toned down for the same reasons. When I’m around people who insist on talking politics and I don’t want to I ask if we can change the subject. If I have to ask more than twice I leave.

Pretty much all of my relatives, save for one, and all of my friends, share the same political views. Some are more vocal than others.We all talk about how crappy the current President is, and about the situations that are going on all around us, and what can we do about it.

At work, we are usually too busy to talk about politics, but most of the people I work with are fairly like minded with me. I live in a blue state, in a blu-ish city.

At family gatherings (without the one dissenter, who has separated herself from us) we often talk about politics, with amusing banter, and mild disgust, while also talking about what everyone in our family is up to, and other things going on. Politics is part of life, so we talk about it.

If I was going to be at an event where I didn’t know everyone, or I was specifically aware that there would be people who vehemently disagree with my beliefs, I would probably not talk about politics at all.

Most of my close friends are pretty passionate about social justice, so we don’t avoid politics together. It’s a topic of interest for a lot of us. We manage to stay upbeat with jokes about the shit we’d do to Paul Ryan if we thought we could get away with it.

In more mixed company, I won’t bring it up out of nowhere, but I’ll call out problematic behavior as I see it (I consider it a responsibility to do so) and if conversation drifts into politics I’ll gladly offer my 2 cents. I don’t make any kind of active effort to keep politics out of discussions. I like to debate.

Frankly I get sick of people going on about how tired they are of politics. I would love to be so lucky – to be able to avoid it just because I’m tired of it. Current political issues are life or death for me so I have no choice but to stay engaged.

I joke that adults have a rule to avoid talking about anything important. I’d rather know what people are thinking and why, so I’d honestly rather talk things through with mixed company.

My views generally tend to be more along the lines of “have you thought through the other side?” rather than “your kind are all scum!”, so I don’t avoid it regardless of the company. I generally don’t bring it up, but I’ll talk as long as both sides are listening and respectful. If I can’t be respectful, then I’ll bow out.

I think we’d be better off talking things through and dealing with a little discomfort than to avoid discomfort and opt for the agreeable bubbles that reinforce the polarization we’re seeing now.

I try to change the subject fairly quickly if politics comes up. Sometimes it’s my fault in the first place that politics entered the conversation, even though I do my best not to make that mistake.

If it does come up, and I spend a bit talking about it, I try to find where I can agree with the other person if we are obviously on opposite sides of the fence politically. If we tend to agree on political issues, I still try not to stay on politics too long.

It’s worse now than ever in my opinion. Previously, I enjoyed a political discussion, but now I do my best to avoid it.

Usually now because most of my friends and I agree, about two thirds of the way through a conversation someone will say, “And Trump….” Generally, the other person will answer, “I know.”

We talked more specifically earlier in the year and some of my friends are still very engaged politically, but most are just similarly appalled.

I avoid all political discussions lately, it’s all opinions and very little facts.

I love politics. I have friends that hate it and friends that also enjoy discussing it. I think we have all been raised with certain manners, certain values and expectations. In this political climate none of that matters. When Obama was the President I heard disrespectful comments but a lot less of them than I do now while Trump has been President. I think you have to listen to the comments carefully. Are the type of comments racist remarks, or comments about where a person was born or are they comments that are in support of a President who is lying or saying things that are outrageous? I believe that eventually the Trump supporters will reach the conclusion that supporting the President reflects badly on them.to advocate for someone that lies and has values that are not consistent with their own. It will affect their own credibility.as well as what others think of them. That is why many Republicans I know do not want to talk about politics right now. They want to separate themselves from appearing like Trump. I think the real political heroes right now are the ones speaking out against Trump and doing it in a way that is polite, factual and sincere. It has to be very difficult to be a Republican right now. I am a Democrat that has empathy for Republicans. I believe there are both great Democrats and Republicans. I believe we will see the Independent ranks grow. .