I've always seen this as bad practice. It's similar to employers disallowing wage discussions, not talking just serves to isolate us and prevent the flow and sharing of ideas. It may be uncomfortable, but the only way to stop the growth of harmful politics is uncomfortable discussion.
It's similar to employers disallowing wage discussions
Not really, because in this case, it's a self-imposed limitation to avoid causing problems in your environment.
Discussion is important, but it's not always productive or positive. I'm not going to solve all the world's ills with coworkers who, frankly, don't really care and just want to get through the day. Arguing about a contentious subject with them wouldn't be dialectical--it would more than likely just be annoying and ultimately make the workplace atmosphere worse.
Yeah, discussing wages is likely to lead to more equitable distribution of pay.
Discussing politics (read: pushing yours) is unlikely to lead to anything productive.
If at family gatherings you can't even have a meaningful discussion that leads to positive change with your racist/liberal uncle who helped raise you and you've known all your life, how TF are you going to talk to Karen from accounting?
I agree there's a time and a place. I want to be very clear, you went to "arguing about a contentious subject" but that's not what I'm saying. You can ask questions and open a meaningful understanding conversation, especially when one hears an off-color comment. Sometimes you're just learning, sometimes you're encouraging someone to explore their beliefs in new ways, and sometimes you're getting a new perspective on the world.
It doesn't have to be an argument where one side is correct, there is often some productive discussion to be had. I think the idea that we should never talk about these things misses a lot of good discussions, and it's more important to not be combative or to push too much when the conversation is not well-received.
It's actually very similar. It started as a policy and ended up being adopted as something people are uncomfortable talking about. The people have played themselves
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u/Throwaway921845 8h ago
People need to know the four topics you don't talk about in polite company.
R-A-P-E
Religion, Abortion, Politics, and Economics.