Do you talk about politics with friends/SO? [GA inside]

on a general social level for me it depends on how intoxicated the company is and if they immediately share some far leaning perspectives or not. if the answer is yes to both, evacuate ship.

That's actually the stuff I usually try to learn as soon as possible: if we are talking about friendship or romance, it's crucial to have similar views about things that matter to me (basically, I don't really want a person in my life who thinks that it's totally ok to annex a part of neighbouring state, to beat and arrest peaceful protesters or to discriminate LGBT). I mean, there a things we can feel different about obviously (like if they are religious without trying to impose their beliefs on me or if they are partially fond of Russia's communistic past but treat Stalin's crimes adequately), but there are limits to my personal tolerance, and I need this kind of information early. Basically, I need to know if I'm able to trust this or that person.

With my SO, all the time. With my friends, sometimes. With my family... well, it depends on the family members in question.

The issue with talking about politics, as I see it, is that people with conflicting views become very heated very quickly, and it devolves from a conversation to a shouting match. For example, I know not to engage my mother in talking about politics because her views are set, she won't listen to anything that doesn't reaffirm her opinion, she spouts things that are provably false, and she ignores the truth that conflicts with her opinion. There is no conversation possible there, no good outcome. Why open myself up to the aggravation?

All of the US bombings on Syria till this day were pure bullshit without any actual effect on anyone, but Trump wants to show you that he's doing something. So, in my option, it's a waste of time to discuss them.

Wanna talk politics? talk about the frequent Israeli bombing of Syria, and why noone talks about it, nor about the same bombing on Palestinian territories mostly Gaza and how the latter is even considered as a justifiable act of defense....

With strangers/new friends, no. But family and closer friends, yes.

I am an adult, so I can control myself when I talk with other people.

Politics is not something I really pay attention to nor try to talk about. The only time I do is when it pertains to health, care, and whether or not the cost of living will go up by proxy due to changes in regulations or laws. Beyond that, nothing else about it has seemed worth listening to or reading about.

As a child my parents never told me who they were voting for. I guessed their political opinions growing up, but don't really know much about them. The only time we talked about politics seriously was when I was voting for the first time. I found out my mom and I share similar opinions despite her never enforcing them on me.

With most of my friends, nope. None of us cares enough. Although I have a friend who comes from a family where politics are very important, and she loves to talk about it. Since I don't agree with everything she says and don't care enough, I usually don't go in deeper talks with her but from time to time we can have interesting discussions on politics.

With my SO, we mostly discuss the news. We share very similar views so there isn't much to debate on.

My SO's family has totally opposed views to mine, and they are quite extreme so in the beginning I could not help but try to make them realise things aren't as simple as they see them. Politics are often brought to the table with them but I've gave up on debating : they're not listening to anything I or my SO are saying. They're cherrypicking arguments and examples, so this isn't constructive at all. Also they get angry for no reason while I'm perfectly calm... So now when they start talking about politics, I just shut up and wait for the topic to drift. I don't want to fight with them.

Anyway. I generally don't care about the political views of people, though my friends and family generally end up being the people who think like me (I guess this is normal). There's a few extreme views where I'd immediately want to stay away from the person, but in general I don't care much.

Tbh it always kills the party when someone brings up politics in a non joking manner no matter what group of friends I'm with. It sort of shifts the mood to a more edgy and self-defensive stance and unless someone changes the subject it would be a matter of time until all hell breaks loose and opinions fly trough the air like like flies around a pile of crap

Well, I´m from Venezuela. And had to leave my country because of politics. Yes I do discuss politics with friends sometimes. And 1 of my best friends openly support the dictator. For me politics its just a form of religion. So there´s a lot of conflict between persons of different points of view. I just stand in a neutral ground because for the most part, people are like sheeps voting or defending either the wolf or the lion to rule over them.

Personally, I have no problem discussing Religion and/or Politics. I have my own opinions, of course, but I also have no need for other people to agree with me. Unfortunately , many people are not so secure in their beliefs and feel threatened by disagreement. Some will go so far as to attack those with whom they disagree simply because they disagree with them. (Ironically, you often find these intolerant people preaching Tolerance.) When I determine that the person with whom I am conversing finds either Religion or Politics an uncomfortable subject, I abstain from bringing them up.

As for "friends," I suppose it depends upon your definition of "friends." For me, a friend is someone who accepts you the way you are, even with your differences. By that definition, I should be able to discuss anything with my friends, shouldn't I?

It is taboo for a good reason- actually most taboos come from strong reasons, often good.
Like genetics and incest for example, or casual sex's bad rep - it only failed to 'update', but for most of history that meant stds, drama to worse.

But how we handle strong opnions- thats universaly the same since ever, and its badly.
People are rarely open to debate such things even when they mean to - simply because of how our brains are wired in regards to strong opnions.

Once we're convinced of something as truth it becomes kind of hardwired. Just look closely on how anyone discuss anything - without thinking we are always trying to prove our concepts right and denying any evidence of the contrary. Heck theres even salesman/marketing maneuvers tapping on that, like showing or talking in a such a way to deceive someone that buying is their idea.

Add to that how the stronger the opnion is, for how long and such make it worse- and we have a bomb. Religion and Politics are the most invested topics there is, to a point that any strong opnion (on anything else) going too far becomes uncannily like a political agenda or religious belief. This is the stuff that makes people die for something or burn other people for it. Theres no stronger.

What makes it all pretty much useless(to even start) is how we react to 'bad'. Anything contrary to a belief sounds like the person is wrong, wrong is bad- and theres scientific data showing how any signs of you being wrong/bad affect things in our body even uncounsciously. You could be talking with the smartest and most open minded person that ever lived- he/she may be able to counter said effects but even then would feel then- heart rate changes, stress levels... its like anti-bodies protecting us from bacteria- the body and mind acts like its being attacked on. It needs good levels of self awareness, empathy, self-control and even wisdom for someone to overcome that.

And if all that wasn't enougth... the truth is there are few hard truths in the world. Most contrary statements or truths are both true on some level if not many (or impossible to define, like god)- there isn't just one right or wrong or any defenitive ones... hardly any that wouldn't ever be wrong in some situation or angle.
That means no common ground.
Every argument can be counter argued, if not its tied to something that can; No single proposition is all good for everyone or better/worse then another (because context and many other things). And if you're not arguing bad news- anything contrary to someone's strong opnion is received as one, unconsciously at least.
Too much is relative, in politics and religion almost everything is. Logically a common ground is like a math result- 2+2=4. Theres no 4 in these subjects.

.............................

In short it can be done, but its too much effort and often drama for something that rarely accomplishes anything.
Ive learned a lot from brainy conversations (and arguing) on these things- for someone whos truly interested in understanding (and open minded) they're a feast- but overtime i indulged in that less and less... it takes the right minded people and occasion for that, otherwise its all just pointless.

You could sum up most 'conversations' on those as 'I say no', 'I say yes' with neither side listening or taking anything from the exchange.
Easier to avoid.

My Stepfather have radically different views then my mom, and even though they have lots of common ground if any of their contrary topics comes up its just stress; They both tried to understand the other and see things in different - but over the years they learned to just avoid entering in any of those. They're smart, in love, to this day they go an extra step to make the other happy and such... some few opnions changed but the core ones? No willingness helped because theres a point its just about belief. No hard truths i mentioned.

I disagree, talking about politics, ideologies, religion etc are important, but should be discussed in polite and civilised manner, and yes, even on first day (or pretty early in the relationship), because these may be important parts of someone's life and may affect whether your relationship would even be compatible, for example if I'm an atheist and I date someone who happens to be devoted christian it's pretty obvious we will not match, I will not start believing in God, she would not stop going to church and following christian rules, I would not get church marriage, she would not get intimate with me without said marriage etc, so making relationship work would require one of us dramatically changing what we believe in, it's better to find such a thing early, to save you both time and save you from eventually getting hurt (if you get engaged into relationship only to find out it will never work). You can still be friends afterwards (that is if you are both capable of discussing such matters in polite and civilized way and not trying to push your own thinng onto the other party), but relationship will probably not work.

I've talked about what's on the news a couple of times but if never judge a person on their political or religious views. I've many friends that have beliefs completely opposing to me and I guess it keeps life interesting. There is more to a person than their political and religious views. I guess I'm more emotional attached to people, I care more about their daily lives than the bigger picture.

On a first date for most people I'd avoid politics etc since people are "protective" of their views. I'd rather talk about everything else like hopes and dreams or what's on the menu rather than politics.

At a FIRST date i have other things in my mind then politic and religion :-D

To all other times it depends on the people that you are talking to.
Politic is a "minefield" with the "wrong" people. As wrong i label the ones that only accept there opinions and can't handle it that other people can have other opinions. With this people i avoid talking over politic normaly i avoid to talk with such people in general^^ because you can talk with your toaster and have the same effect but not feeling demotivated/burned out after the talk :-D

Religion is ok as long as none of the involved is a fanatic fanatism had never brought anything else then pain and suffering one or want that all must live after the rule XYZ.

Steamgifts couldn't handle my request, so post is lost. Maybe I'll repost some time.

With your significant other, it depends. But I only know this, if it is a long term relationship; being in sides too far away in the spectrum with your SO (and probably with his/her family too) is a pain in the ass.

Well thinking of a first date... These days I would bring up politics and world views maybe not on the first date, but within the first few at least. This is simply because, if someone is going to dislike me for my views and opinions, we may as well get it over with instead of wasting time.

Edit: As for topics of discussion being taboo, I say screw that. Discussion is one of those things that help us grow as people.

Don't think I'll recreate my lost post, but I'll say this:

I think I'd definitely not date a politics student. And I don't plan to go on any first dates. That's one of the benefits of being married. :)

Religion? i believe only in technology not in some things which was built up because the fear from death. I have no issues if others believing in any nonsense crap tho, their choice.

Politics? never in my house, i also dont watch TV, full with propaganda crap. Usually, if a politicans die thats something what humanity should celebrate always. One less criminal on earth.

I talk about a lot of politics but i try to stay away from doing so with my "dumb far right" friends and my hypocritical leftist friends, everyone else i can mostly have a nice dialogue with.

Well, probably not the best first date/meeting topic but apart from that, I do not avoid political discussions - although I am usually not starting them but once they arise, I am happy to give my opinion, especially if there is an international element involved in the discussion since I study IR/diplomacy (or something dealing with economics).

Sidenote: It may create some unnecessary (and often unexpected) tensions in a relationship though and it led to quite a few arguments with one of my exes since.. lets say one of identified as an anti-communist and one of us as a communist (I will let you guess who was who - hint: she is French). It is much "safer" with friends, especially after a few beers (aka the Czech way).

Also I wanted to ask - are you creating a study of some sort or..?