2 ms·

Now I don't know what this was like previously, but nowadays one of the most common travel advice for vacations in the US is "Do not talk about politics with Am

Now I don't know what this was like previously, but nowadays one of the most common travel advice for vacations in the US is "Do not talk about politics with Americans. It's not a good topic for dinner conversation over there." Make of that what you will. Now what I've been wondering after hearing that advice multiple times is: What do Americans talk about at dinner and other occasions? Because here political issues is about half of a typical dinner conversation, the other half being recounting recent news and events. Even most of the jokes we make are political... I probably wouldn't know what to talk about.

rjtavares 6y ago
If you're actually interested in the topic, google for a bit and you'll learn that is an old advice. Here's a post about it: https://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/never_talk_about_religion_or_politics_etiquette_rule https://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/nev...
pseudalopex 6y ago
Many cultures frown on turning dinner time into debate time. It's been that way for generations. They talk about politics among family and friends or people with similar opinions.
vinay427 6y ago
Where is this travel advice coming from? It sounds like typical cultural ignorance to me. I'm American and (when I lived there) would have no qualms talking about politics with seemingly everyone regardless of meal time. There are certainly some people who will have a stronger response these days due to increased polarization, but if you speak sensibly and thoughtfully it's difficult to see it becoming an issue.
- leetcrew 6y ago
  I dunno, seems consistent with my experience in the midatlantic/northeast. politics is absolutely on the table with close friends and my family. outside of that, I find people usually avoid discussing politics unless they are confident everyone else present already agrees with them.
snowwrestler 6y ago
Americans still talk about politics over dinner. This advice is more about protecting Europeans from an uncomfortable experience on vacation because of exposure to political views they will find objectionable, than about some fundamental inability to talk about politics in the U.S.
- chmod775 6y ago
  I'm exposed to political views I find "objectionable" just by talking to my parents. You put five of my family into one room, and we'll be voting for six different parties. If everyone agreed there wouldn't be much to talk about. Though calling political views you disagree with "objectionable" as in "offensive" is starting on the wrong foot already. You can't convince someone of your POV by acting offended.

rjtavares 6y ago

If you're actually interested in the topic, google for a bit and you'll learn that is an old advice. Here's a post about it: https://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/never_talk_about_religion_or_politics_etiquette_rule https://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/nev...

pseudalopex 6y ago

Many cultures frown on turning dinner time into debate time. It's been that way for generations. They talk about politics among family and friends or people with similar opinions.

vinay427 6y ago

Where is this travel advice coming from? It sounds like typical cultural ignorance to me. I'm American and (when I lived there) would have no qualms talking about politics with seemingly everyone regardless of meal time. There are certainly some people who will have a stronger response these days due to increased polarization, but if you speak sensibly and thoughtfully it's difficult to see it becoming an issue.

leetcrew 6y ago
I dunno, seems consistent with my experience in the midatlantic/northeast. politics is absolutely on the table with close friends and my family. outside of that, I find people usually avoid discussing politics unless they are confident everyone else present already agrees with them.

snowwrestler 6y ago

Americans still talk about politics over dinner. This advice is more about protecting Europeans from an uncomfortable experience on vacation because of exposure to political views they will find objectionable, than about some fundamental inability to talk about politics in the U.S.

chmod775 6y ago
I'm exposed to political views I find "objectionable" just by talking to my parents. You put five of my family into one room, and we'll be voting for six different parties. If everyone agreed there wouldn't be much to talk about. Though calling political views you disagree with "objectionable" as in "offensive" is starting on the wrong foot already. You can't convince someone of your POV by acting offended.