If you don't like these kinds of conversation, know that it is within your power to subvert the tone of the conversation, and to bring it to a place where you a

If you don't like these kinds of conversation, know that it is within your power to subvert the tone of the conversation, and to bring it to a place where you are comfortable. If you can quickly interject with an objection as to the terms of the debate, you'll be surprised how quickly people will adjust their attitudes and become more 'civil'. Requesting that people focus on a particular point of interest (for the group, not merely yourself) is one way of directing people's attention and serialising the flow of conversation. You need to be strong about it, though. If you have trouble asserting yourself then you need to work on that part first.