How do you decide where to draw the line for appropriate discussion at work?
By fiona08
@fiona08 (454)
United States
August 29, 2008 8:33pm CST
I just started teaching in a new elementary school a couple weeks ago. I live in the same small town, and am used to the majority of people here being very conservative. Being quite liberal, I try not to step on too many toes with co-workers and other peer groups when we talk about politics. Now I have been trying to get to know my new colleagues, and hoping to get along well with them, so that we can have a pleasant work environment. Today at lunch they were discussing McCain's new pick for VP, and I decided that I felt very uncomfortable keeping silent while they assumed we were all of like mind on the topic. So I said something like, " I actually really like Obama." Some of them looked a little sympathetic, like they wanted to say, "Not that there is anything wrong with that!" and pat my head. A teacher on my grade level, who will also be my mentor for the next two years, got a very nasty look on her face and said, rather angrily," Do you know the difference between Osama and Obama? A lot of BS! I am sorry, but with two sons in the military, that man is as close to a middle easterner, as any I care to meet, and I am not OK with him running our country!" end quote. I mean, how do you respectfully answer to that kind of ignorance? This is my mentor??? I get to work with a racist, who has no respect for my opinion! Lucky me! How do you decide what to talk about at work, and which things you should bite your tongue about, and let others go on and on about with out expressing your point of view? I felt compelled to defend myself and Obama, but really want our elementary school environment to remain pleasant for the kids, as well as for the rest of the staff, so I just said, "I think there is a lot of garbage out there about him, and I like his views on health care and education." Then I joined another conversation, that was taking place. Have you had similar situations? How did you handle them? Thanks in advance for remaining respectful to each other in this discussion.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
31 Aug 08
hi I finally learned you just dont discuss your own political'
views at the workplace as there are some of my friends who were really savage when discussing their own opinions. I found that steering the conversation to our work in the library always'
quelled the explosions about politics.
@fiona08 (454)
• United States
31 Aug 08
Yes, I guess that is the safe way to go. It is going to be hard to sit and listen, and not express my opinion though. If I feel too ostracized in the future, I may have to speak up again. I will try to be thoughtful and diplomatic, but sometimes I think people need a reminder that they do not have the only viewpoint in a group setting, even when they live in a predominately conservative area (or liberal area, if the case may be). Thanks for your response, Hatley.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
30 Aug 08
Politics and religion are two subjects that should not be discussed in the workplace because these topics can lead to the situation you have now found yourself in. Your political and religious views are personal and should never be up for debate in a professional atmosphere. I applaud you for ending the debate and joining in another discussion and my advice to you is that you try to avoid being put into that position again. If your mentor, or anyone, decides to push the issue with you, politely tell them that you have decided not to discuss politics at work anymore and, if they don't respect your decision, talk to the principal. Also, if you find tha your relationship with your mentor is now strained, talk to the principal and ask to be reassigned and why you're making the request.
@fiona08 (454)
• United States
30 Aug 08
I must say you have given me some good advice. I will TRY not to discuss politics at work in the future. It is somewhat difficult to sit and not participate when people make assumptions that everyone in the room has the same belief system. It ostracizes people when a crowd of people get together and talk like they have the only valid views on important matters. Thanks for the advice.
@ElaanR2 (277)
• United States
30 Aug 08
The reason why so many people were at Invesco Field to see Obama on the last day of the Democratic Convention is because too many of them have been treated like the way you described and have, therefore, become tired and bored with politics. The change that people want in American politics has a little something to do with the way this country has been run over the past 8 years but it has mostly to do with the politics of 'hit your opponent hard'. That kind of politics frightens many people and makes them feel a deprivation of peace of mind. It makes politics a game of tension and alienates people who are hungry for peaceful co-existence. Too many times people are disgusted by a section of the population behaving and talking as if they have the monopoly on patriotism and ethics. They go to great lengths to cast you as a 'moron' or 'immoral' for holding a different view from what has been handed down to them. That is why so many people came to hate politics and would turn off the radio or television whenever there's a political discussion. We hope that will change. After all, today 85,000 people are willing to go into a stadium to hear a political speech. It shows that people are willing to join the political discussion if it isn't played like a civil war.
@fiona08 (454)
• United States
30 Aug 08
I agree. We need to get to a point where we can listen to each other without attacking. People need to realize that if someone has a different viewpoint, it doesn't mean they need to be torn down. I am excited about the prospects of having Obama as our president. I think in addition to making crucial changes in our economy, healthcare, education, etc. , his administration may work wonders toward uniting us, and lessoning intolerance. I know my fingers are crossed. Thanks for your response.
