How to Discuss Politics

There is nothing that gets the blood boiling more than discussing politics, except perhaps religion. With 24-hour news coverage, live press conferences and the Internet, it is easy to draw the line from the political policy makers to the impact that those policies have on us. There are many political viewpoints, and these conversations can quickly get out of hand. Here are a few steps to help you discuss politics.

Instructions

1. Choose your side. Do your research and make educated political decisions. Examine the intricacies of the national policies that affect the world and the inner workings of the local issues that are important to you. Or you can just blindly fall in line with your parent's political party.

2. Present your views thoughtfully and articulately. Politics are complicated and often colored with many shades of grey. Once you have explained your position, your opponent is bound to listen to reason. If that fails, punch him or her in the face to prove that your opinion is quite clearly the logical one.

3. Listen to what your opponent has to say; this is a two-way discussion, an exchange of ideas. Allow him or her some time to layout what they think is wrong with the country. Then reply with, "So's your face".

4. Remain calm. There is no reason that the discussion of politics needs to escalate to a level where it gets out of hand. Even though the other guy won't give in at all and is obviously an idiot.

5. Stick to your convictions, unless the idiot is right.

Tips & Warnings

• Yelling and screaming in his face is just going to make you look desperate and your throat will be sore the next day.

• Discussing politics is dangerous socially in any environment, but if you value your career, you won't engage in this pastime at work.