When choosing a topic for conversation, do you try to avoid the "Big Three" or are you comfortable talking about these subjects?

@Bluefreedom, I very rarely talk about race, because I don’t think it has any relevance to any discussion (unless in the context of cultural norms. Like the person who explained to me how he went from being one of 12 kids in Harlem to working for CNN.) Religion I never discuss unless it is the topic of discussion; I’ve learned that nothing I can say on the subject has relevance to a person who already has a core set of beliefs. Since I am what might be described as “lapsed Catholic” and “unchurched” that seems to make me a project for most evangelicals I run into, who cannot accept that it’s possible to be spiritual without going to church. Politics—love to discuss, but only with certain people, and only up to a certain point. Fluther seems to be good for that.

The 4th topic never discussed is money.

For me, it depends on the people.
If they are my friends, we enjoy yelling at each other and coming to fisticuffs; where as if I am in a new room with new people I am trying to impress, (i.e. Any one of my clients, my editors, anyone that isn’t my friends) I keep my mouth shut, only opening it to speak when spoken too, unless it is a question I know I will shoot myself in the face with, thus I fake being a mute and do the “Mime In An Invisible Box” thing.
If you think I am kidding, you don’t know me very well. If Fluther ever has a convention (if they don’t already) and we meet in person, you’ll know what I mean and see what I do! :)

@jvoar16: Lurve for fisticuffs. :)

Most of my coworkers are more like friends, on the rare occasion we offend, we apologize and move on. As for my actual friends and I, we talk about everything. Usually, it’s politics, race, religion, philosophy, sex, current affairs, and how we didn’t know how good we had it with the old Britney.

There are no taboos.

Me and my friend’s always discuss these things. Always.

At work though… I hate most of the people I work with, and they are all dumb cops. (No offense if anyone on here is one… but really, most of these guys are DUMB!) There are probably 3 people up here I can have an intelligent, mature conversation with.

I love my friends because we talk about these things instead of just bitching like other girls our age do.

I might bring up politics with someone I don’t know well, but the other two I stay away from. With friends, I’ll discuss anything.

As a Social Studies teacher, I am required to talk about them. Now before anyone gets exercised about about teachers imposing their values on young minds, we have to understand all sides of issues in order to act as a devil’s advocate.

With my friends, most of whom are teachers, I am very open about my opinions and in fact we are mostly in agreement. As you might imagine for the last couple of months my high school students have been talking about the Big 3 amost every day. In fact sometimes I have set a time limit so we can address the curriculum. Evidently I was successful about teaching and not advocating because on Wednesday I was asked in every class who I had voted for…and this is a city that went 85% Obama!

It depends on the situation, and the people involved. With some friends, it is exhilarating to talk about all things, with others it is an exercise in futility and frustration. In an unknown group, if asked for my opinion I will give it in a non-confrontational way. If necessary, I will defend it vigorously!

I think the rule that we shouldn’t talk about the Big Four (alfreda’s right, money’s on the list)
came out of an etiquette book. To raise these subjects at a big dinner party with footmen standing behind the diners would be disruptive. Still, one can always resort to innuendo.

@susanc, I guess it’s based upon the idea that discussions with friends that can disrupt into ill will are best avoided. However, in the day of shock jock radio, reality shows, and tell-all tv, talking about politics, race, religion and money are rather tame.

With friends I’ll discuss anything. If some folks are not comfortable discussing some topics that’s the limiting factor. With extended family I’d rather keep the peace, so certain topics are just never brought up. With co-workers it depends on how good a friend they are outside of work. Online I’m happy to have discussions about almost anything but I do keep in mind that kids may be reading.

I’ve had some wonderful conversations on those topics. But those conversations went on for hours, and they’ve gone down in the books as memorable conversations.

There’s a certain waiting time between those conversations that has to go by before I want to talk about a certain subject again. I can’t discuss religion every day; it becomes irritating then. No one wants to talk to one of those people who always wants to tell everyone why they’re a christian, or why they’re an atheist. It’s boring, it’s irritating, and it’s the same old, same old. The less often I discuss one particular topic (especially with the same group of people), the more interesting and valuable those conversations become when I do discuss them.

I never like to get into a conversation on a complex issue unless I have ample time to discuss it. I don’t see the point otherwise. I view conversation (at least on “deep” topics) as a means of getting somewhere. I like to feel better off after such a conversation better off than before.

I have no problem talking abou the Big Three, my problem is when people bring their pre-conceived notions to the table. I am pretty open-minded, and will listen to just about anyone’s definitions on these topics, but when they use arguments like Arguing From Ignorance, Circular Reasoning, or Prejudiced Based Thinking, you can count me out. We can be civil, and we can disagree, but don’t call me stupid or mixed up or misinformed because I don’t agree with you. We all see things from our own perspective, but too many people prefer to use ad hominem attacks, which only proves they cannot back up what they say with anything more than insults.

I was raised to be able to discuss anything and to be able to have intelligent conversations about any topic. I think that there is a time and place for a lot of the “Big Three” topics…it’s not exactly a great opening line to walk up to a stranger and say something like “Hey…how do you feel about abortion?” However…I think it’s important for people to be able to discuss such “hot topics” calmly and intellectually. It actually bothers me a LOT when people can’t discuss things and NOT take it personally because I might SOUND heated occasionally, but in the end I don’t hold it against the person and I don’t get angry.

I think as the Big Three as Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen…. but i am a big sports fan so that’s why…

@Kiev749 That’s the only Big Three, I’m not comfortable discussing.

@galileogirl Lol what? Why not?

I have no idea who they are<:}-Of course ignorance doesn’t stop a lot of people here ie TM

to be honest, those 3 topics are probably the only things that allow for an interesting discussion.

those are the only topics of interest

anyone who cannot discuss them with civility is not worth talking to intentionally

^3 : faith, politics, and the other one doesn’t matter

I am comfortable with all of them, however there isn’t much to be said about race: all are equal. As far as politics goes, is it really a big game anyhow, and as far as religion goes, it is the greatest bondage going. BUT, if anyone is ready to recognize that there is genuine truth to be discovered, the journey gets way more exciting. Christianity is not one of the world religions which are all bondage traps. The world religions, I assert, are about false gods created by humanity and dark powers which need to be appeased. In Christianity it is not about gods we create, but about the God who created US for a love relationship with Himself. He loves us! The darkness in this world is not compliments of God. Satanism is not innocent and in fact his greatest power is in convincing humanity he isn’t real. All the while we see evidence of it day in day out all around the globe. Horrific acts because we in North America are for the most part too busy thinking about what WE think matters and living for pleasure. Christianity as represented by Christian churches has been done very poorly in the last 50 years and I can see why so many people are turned off. But if you ever decide to get down to where the rubber meets the road and ask the God of Heaven who this Jesus guy is and if he is really real, to make Himself known to you personally, if you ever get to that place, you will discover how much you really are loved and cared about, no matter who you are, where you been, what you’ve done or ever will do. The true God is truly crazy about you. As the old Scot used to say “It’s better felt than telt”