Contrary to popular belief, I actually do enjoy a hearty debate. If the atmosphere is right and I know that I am talking with open-minded individuals, I feel that I can safely express my views without fear of it turning into a personal attack. If, however, I know the individual will brand me “narrow minded” while they try to force feed me their views, I get quiet, tune the person out, and quickly become angry… especially if it’s not an appropriate time and place. Take, for example, when I want to go out for drinks and a relaxing evening and it quickly turns into a nasty political debate?

Check please!

Below are a seven reasons why the next time you think about getting into a political debate you should remember: there’s a time and a place for it.

• Distracting from the true purpose of the get together. Take tonight, for example. Per our habit, Mack and I usually go out to a local pub with a group of friends for trivia night. Now, the group of friends happen to be Atheists who, by and large, are a bunch of liberal Democrats. It’s their political leaning and I can respect that. However when I go out on a Wednesday night with this group? It’s because it’s not the “serious” night and I can unwind and have a great meal and drinks with friends while discussing b.s. topics. Get politics involved though? It tends to get nasty. And not in a good (kinky) sort of way.
• It causes people to argue. Again by nature I can be a turd when I want to be. I’ll pick apart what you’re saying and can be a light hearted jerk who’s sole purpose is to tease and get a laugh out of you. Politics on the whole I have found people take way too serious. Like if your view is different from theirs you’re a) narrow minded, b) idiotic, c) against human rights, and d) obviously don’t know what the issues are really about. Before you deny it, I’m quoting directly from my Facebook friends pages as to their views on people who have my political views. I guess I got off lucky since my friend has been called a Baby Killer for voting Republican. Go figure. I guess what I’m trying to get at is people take politics way too personal so why don’t we discuss something safe like the weather? Or diamond encrusted unicorns? Cause those would be awesome.
• It’s self serving. Despite how neutral you claim you are when in political debates at the core of the issue is that you’re selling your beliefs and ideals and trying to perhaps convert people to the “right” way of thinking. Granted, I know people who do debate with an open mind without the underlying agenda of conversion (usually the people play devil’s advocate; trust me I know since I’m dating one). However, most people are trying to sell something. Put another way: very few people debate just to debate. Most people debate because they want to prove something.
• Excludes the people who don’t want to debate. I think in all of the Wednesdays that we have gone out to the pub with the Atheists I can count on one hand how many times I have gotten into political discussions. Now granted political discussions don’t happen EVERY Wednesday night but perhaps once a month at most. My point, however, is usually on a Wednesday evening I rather discuss other things and relax since it’s halfway through the week and I still have two more days to get through at work to get to the weekend. I respect that some people may be coming for “serious” discussions but what of those of us who aren’t? Way to make us excluded since we don’t share your views or agenda for that evening!
• Angers the people who don’t want to debate. Along with the point made above my mood will rapidly deteriorate the longer the debate goes on. I think I wouldn’t get so angry and be so against them if they were just one of the many discussions that happened during the evening. Unfortunately though when the topic of politics come up it’s a subject that won’t get dropped and escalates where people will get riled up and keep it going for hours. What of us who have no intention or inclination of joining the talk since they want to have a light hearted non-serious discussion? I now perhaps have the best personal score for Tetris on my phone. Just what I wanted to do when I went out to the pub!
• Effectively isolating. I think the points above pretty much explain why.
• Forcing your desires upon other people. I think one of the few things that will amuse me when the political discussions come up is that it will show how hypocritical people are and how many won’t practice what they preach. I have found it amusing that typically the people who tout themselves as being very open minded are some of the most narrow minded people I know. They spout their political ideals while simultaneously stroking their own ego that they’re so open minded because they believe one thing. If you come along with a differing political view? Heaven help us you’re a grade A bigot who no sense of human decency! Right. Because my views are different from yours it means I don’t think about stuff and never think of others. Wait, what? Don’t think I’m pointing fingers at any particular political party since both sides do it and both sides need to grow the fuck up.

So there you have it people. The next time you think about getting into a political debate think to yourself: what is the purpose of this debate? Am I trying to covert them to my warped perception of reality? And will this isolate people who may not particularly want a political discussion? I don’t know about you but next time there is a lull in the conversation and people are wanting to debate something fun I’m going to stick with a safe topic: sex. Or diamond encrusted unicorns.