This question’s on my mind because my coworker today mentioned they would vote for Trump if they could (mind you this is 2023, in Canada). I don’t generally have the talking points or the desire to fight about it, so I just deflected the conversation. But I often wish I was more strong-willed and could try to figure out why someone believes what they do and, if it’s invalid, then convince them otherwise.
Thus, I’m curious what you all would say or what you’ve done in the past!
My grandmother used to say: never talk about religion or politics with coworkers. Both topics get into personal beliefs that can make a professional relationship difficult.
For an actual friend, I would try to understand why they’re into the politician. People have lots of reasons for why they vote.
Friends don’t let friends support fascists.
While I like the sentiment, it doesn’t actually address OP’s question. My guess is OP also hates fascists but has trouble discussing their opinions on politics with their fasc-curious friend for whatever reason, whether it’s because they want to preserve the relationship or generally have trouble keeping up in a back and forth (which is totally fine, being quick-witted is not a requirement to hate fascists). What are your tips for approaching the conversation?
If you’re privileged enough not to be threatened in that situation (ie you’re not a younger woman, an immigrant, LGBTQ+) and it’s not emotionally damaging to maintain the relationship, do. Be there, but be open about different and willing to answer questions. Either they’ll be an ass eventually, or maybe, just maybe, you can show them the rabbit hole is just their head in the sand. Cult deprogrammers say over and over that the best way to get people to see reason is through personal conversation. But don’t have expectations that it’ll work all at once, or if they go back and forth in their beliefs. Unlearning worldviews is hard work.
OP said coworker, which I think most people missed. If you’re privileged enough to quit your job over a coworker’s political opinion, more power to you, I guess. I think that’s letting the fascists win, since you’ve literally ceded ground. But I believe OP is looking for constructive solutions to discuss politics with a coworker to preserve the relationship, likely both for their sanity at work and because there’s other things about the person they like.
Never contact me again.
If they’re already your friend, then you obviously like each other enough to have gotten along for however long it’s been without talking about politics. This to me indicates that probably neither of you feels strongly enough about politics to have it be an issue unless one of you starts pressing it. I acknowledge that I may be oversimplifying your question.
Nothing. I say nothing.
As someone who tries to rationalize and come up with arguments for multiple family members who would vote for Trump even if I would consider them quite smart from day to day, I will tell you that having convincing arguments won’t get you far.
There is some fundamental differences in thinking between myself and conservatives. For example: Someone must lose in another for another to win.
The thinking is so black and white and simplistic most of the time. They use Econ 101 to prove their theories, pretending that’s how the world works and refuse to listen to any realistic nuance.
When you point out a contradiction, they say, “Oh, that’s an outlier” “Oh, I’ll look into it” “Oh, let’s move onto something else”. I don’t discuss it much anymore, but I try really hard to listen and make arguments that acknowledge their beliefs while presenting my own.
If you can keep level-headed, other more progressive relatives of mine have recommended/gifted readings that might be able to broaden the horizons of conservatives.
The irony in saying that literally everyone who voted for a certain party has “black and white and simplistic” thinking…
Thanks for ending the quote directly before I say “most of the time”. I do think trends exist, but I do my best to qualify what I say, because oftentimes in the real world it’s not all or nothing.
Are you sure they’re your friend and not just someone you have to work with?
Personally, I don’t consider fascists my friends.
Since you’re addressing me specifically, I consider them a ‘friendly coworker’. I would happily move on when I stop working but day to day my interactions are pleasant. I considered titling as coworker, but I thought friend applied more generally and would encourage discussion.
Oh sure, I work with people who have said some pretty crazy shit but I’m not openly hostile to them or anything. I also have nothing to do with them outside of work and if they get too out of line I might still call them out at work.
No point debating it. No one ever changed their mind from an argument.
I don’t have any friends that like Trump. Anyone that’s OK with the racism and fascism isn’t someone that I care to be friends with.
No one ever changed their mind from an argument.
That you think this is true says more about you than people in general.
