For those of us who won't be able to play , 'Hello'

[Anonymous]

My cousin's wife believes that refugees should be turned away and gay marriage is evil! I feel like loosing my mind thinking about her ignorance. These topics have never come up before but because of Facebook I know we don't share similar beliefs. So what does DCUM do when these topics come
Up at dinner? Scream at the ignorance or keep chewing on your turkey??????

[Anonymous]

Those are her opinions, and she has a right to them.

Chew your turkey. If she says something way out of line in front of your kids, say, "Anna, I respect your right to your opinion, but I won't have you talking that way in front of my children. I suggest we find a topic we can all agree on: we are thankful for this lovely meal that Alice and David have prepared."

[Anonymous]

I agree that Anna has her opinions and she has a right to them. I think she has the right to express her opinions among family. You can just tell your kids "We love Aunt Anna, even though we don't agree with everything she says. We can discuss it in more detail later, but for now let's just enjoy this lovely meal Alice and David have invited us all to."

[Anonymous]

Ironic and totally control freaky of you. We are celebrating THANKSGIVING, a very AMERICAN tradition. Let's celebrate all that is great about America, such as our right to free speech, no?

[Anonymous]

If you really can't sit still, the easiest thing to say is "You know, this is such a lovely meal, it would be a shame to ruin it by discussing politics. Can we discuss something else?"

But, honestly, I would let her kvetch and just not take the bait. It's unlikely you'd do anything but ruin the mood by responding. Just let her go on. Those who agree with her will think she's wonderful. Those who don't will think she's an ass. But the only way to let it ruin dinner is to turn it into a debate.

[Anonymous]

How about them O's?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you really can't sit still, the easiest thing to say is "You know, this is such a lovely meal, it would be a shame to ruin it by discussing politics. Can we discuss something else?"

But, honestly, I would let her kvetch and just not take the bait. It's unlikely you'd do anything but ruin the mood by responding. Just let her go on. Those who agree with her will think she's wonderful. Those who don't will think she's an ass. But the only way to let it ruin dinner is to turn it into a debate.

It's not a debate- your family member is straight up intolerant. Just ignore her and loudly change the subject.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you really can't sit still, the easiest thing to say is "You know, this is such a lovely meal, it would be a shame to ruin it by discussing politics. Can we discuss something else?"

But, honestly, I would let her kvetch and just not take the bait. It's unlikely you'd do anything but ruin the mood by responding. Just let her go on. Those who agree with her will think she's wonderful. Those who don't will think she's an ass. But the only way to let it ruin dinner is to turn it into a debate.

It's not a debate- your family member is straight up intolerant. Just ignore her and loudly change the subject.

My point was that if OP responded to the family member, it would turn into a debate which would ruin dinner. So, she should not respond or if she can't take it, divert the topic to something less controversial.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you really can't sit still, the easiest thing to say is "You know, this is such a lovely meal, it would be a shame to ruin it by discussing politics. Can we discuss something else?"

But, honestly, I would let her kvetch and just not take the bait. It's unlikely you'd do anything but ruin the mood by responding. Just let her go on. Those who agree with her will think she's wonderful. Those who don't will think she's an ass. But the only way to let it ruin dinner is to turn it into a debate.

It's not a debate- your family member is straight up intolerant. Just ignore her and loudly change the subject.

Because WE don't want to tolerate anything that WE disagree with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree that Anna has her opinions and she has a right to them. I think she has the right to express her opinions among family. You can just tell your kids "We love Aunt Anna, even though we don't agree with everything she says. We can discuss it in more detail later, but for now let's just enjoy this lovely meal Alice and David have invited us all to."

So your children MUST hold the same opinion as you? Maybe they should be allowed to experience a different world view so that THEY can become their own person.

[Anonymous]

I am confused, why can't you play "Hello"?

[Anonymous]

When my lazy relatives go on an on about their free insurance I just tell them someone like me is paying for it and to pass the potatoes. I hate politics eps since the liberals think their view is the only one. My relatives who think theyare intellectual geniuses tend to think any work is beneath them while my blue collar self has neverbeen in dept and has always been gainfully employed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree that Anna has her opinions and she has a right to them. I think she has the right to express her opinions among family. You can just tell your kids "We love Aunt Anna, even though we don't agree with everything she says. We can discuss it in more detail later, but for now let's just enjoy this lovely meal Alice and David have invited us all to."

So your children MUST hold the same opinion as you? Maybe they should be allowed to experience a different world view so that THEY can become their own person.

Yes. While my children are young and impressionable, I will impress upon them what I think is right. Because I think it's right to parent that way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My cousin's wife believes that refugees should be turned away and gay marriage is evil! I feel like loosing my mind thinking about her ignorance. These topics have never come up before but because of Facebook I know we don't share similar beliefs. So what does DCUM do when these topics come
Up at dinner? Scream at the ignorance or keep chewing on your turkey??????

Then they are unlikely to come up again, unless you bring them up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When my lazy relatives go on an on about their free insurance I just tell them someone like me is paying for it and to pass the potatoes. I hate politics eps since the liberals think their view is the only one. My relatives who think theyare intellectual geniuses tend to think any work is beneath them while my blue collar self has neverbeen in dept and has always been gainfully employed

Huh? You have a family full of college-educated people on welfare? Uh huh. You know that's really not common, right? And that a huge percentage of white people on government assistance are both not educated and Republicans?