How To Deal With Friends With Different Political Views
When you make friends, you pay attention to what you have in common.You might like their sense of humor, their kindness, and their willingness to help you out in a pinch.Your friends may have different political views than you do.Learning to avoid political conversations and focusing on what you have in common will help you deal with friends who don't share your political views.Learning to patch things up will help your friendship.
Step 1: Practice listening to something.
A good friend wants to find out as much as she can about her friends point of view.Stay interested in your friends life and experiences if you really want to stay involved in this friendship.Don't get caught up in discussions of political likes and dislikes, and let your questions reflect this deep interest.Ask your friends questions that are open-ended.Ask questions to clarify what your friend said, and think out loud about what she said.
Step 2: Don't be fooled by blocked listening.
Political beliefs are sensitive, personal issues, and it can be easy to get emotional about them.When people have political discussions, they are likely to engage in blocked listening which means listening to your friend's words for an opportunity to disagree with what has been said.If you find yourself wanting to include the word "but" in your conversation, chances are you are engaged in blocked listening.It is not likely that telling people where they are wrong will change their minds.
Step 3: Don't change your friend's views.
You won't be able to convince another person of your point of view by quoting experts who agree with you because political beliefs are based on interpretation of facts.Your friend is invited to bring in expert opinions that support her point of view.It isn't likely to convince your friend that she's wrong and you're right if you quote experts or give poll figures to show how many people agree with you.Let her know what your own beliefs are if this is an issue that is important to you.Allow her to ask you if she wants to learn more.
Step 4: Don't put your political beliefs on your friends.
It is not fun to talk to someone who has changed their beliefs.Political conversations between friends are not about who is right or wrong.They are an opportunity to keep a good mood going.Political viewpoints are related to a person's sense of identity.No one will have a good time if you get so focused on winning the conversation.Don't try to change your friend's mind about a political topic, find ways to relax and enjoy the discussion.
Step 5: Be aware of your social media feed.
You don't want to find your own social media feed full of opinions you disagree with, so be careful not to do this to others.You don't need to post your political opinions on a daily basis.Don't put in opinions that put down political views that are mean-spirited or opposing views.It is okay to hide your friend's feed if she posts a lot on political perspectives that you don't agree with.This will allow you to focus more on your friendship.
Step 6: Agree to disagree
It's a good idea to take a break if you get emotional during a conversation.Knowing when to walk away from a conversation can save a friendship.Don't force your friend to continue the conversation if she ends it with you.It is time to end the conversation when it is no longer enjoyable.Your personal relationship is more important than your political differences.
Step 7: Treat your friend well.
Imagine what your friend is thinking.It is better to think of why they hold these beliefs.Personal safety, economic prosperity, and social stability are what most people want.Different political perspectives have different ways of saying this.It is not necessary for your friends to have the same point of view as you do.Don't take it personally if they have different political views.It is easy to let something get in the way of your attention, but try to remember the qualities that drew you to this friendship.
Step 8: Start a conversation.
Schedule a time to have a respectful conversation if you're avoiding politics.You should be prepared to listen with an open mind.If you can keep your own opinions to a minimum, you are likely to learn something new.Share your thoughts with your friend in a way that shows you have been listening to what she has to say.
Step 9: The positive should be accentuated.
If your friend respects a politician that you don't like, find out what you like about him.Negative motives will damage your friendship if you attribute them to politicians.You can find something that you like even if you don't like a particular politician.He might have a dog, and you like dogs.Maybe he went to the same college as you did.You can maintain your friendship if you look out for the best in the opposing political perspective.
Step 10: Consider the purpose of the conversation.
Talking about politics can derail a conversation even if it started in a different place.Do you want to change the mind of your friend?Are you trying to impress her with your knowledge?Or maybe it's just a way to vent frustration?Think about the setting as well.It is possible to engage in a political conversation while watching political debates on television, but they should probably be avoided in the workplace or most social setting.If you find yourself turning to political conversations to vent your frustration, you might want to save it for a like-minded friend.
Step 11: Allow some time to cool down.
Wait until you are calmer before you extend an olive branch, if you have feelings left over from a disagreement with your friend.If you really want to patch things up, your words will not feel genuine.Don't wait for her to reach out to you, your friend might also benefit from some time to cool down.Give her a call if you are willing to let things go.Consider your friend's perspective and why she might be hurt.You can have a more open conversation if you think about the reasons she might be angry.
Step 12: Do you need to apologize?
If you consider the disagreement from your friend's perspective, your own actions might seem different than they did at the time.You might realize that you acted in a way that was disrespectful.Even if your friend behaved badly, this shouldn't stop you from looking at your own part in the disagreement.Regardless of what she did, you are still responsible for your actions.It's a good idea to think ahead of time what you're going to apologize for.
Step 13: Don't hold onto resentments.
You want your friend to know that you are prepared to let go of the negative feelings that came up during the disagreement.There are disagreements among friends, but they don't have to mean the end of the friendship.Don't say everything you need to say, but say it in a friendly tone.Allow your friend to speak.Don't interrupt her while she's talking, and listen carefully to what she says.Your friend took the time to talk to you even if it wasn't what you wanted.
Step 14: Your friend should be forgiven.
Regardless of how your friend responds to your overtures, it's best if you can completely forgive them for any hurts you still feel.It won't help either of you if you remind yourself how wrong she was and how right you were.Sometimes a friendship can tolerate disagreement and sometimes it can not.Hopefully your friend will come around in time as you work to repair the friendship.You might not be able to repair the friendship if your friend is unpredictable, erratic or volatile.
Step 15: Don't think about what caused the fight.
Find solutions for your disagreement.You will not be able to find a solution if you try to force agreement.Try to remember what you value in each other's friendship.One way to resolve disagreements is to focus on what you have in common.Don't feel like you have to back away from your political views.You don't have to relive the disagreement with your friend if you are open and honest about your views.
Step 16: Take a break.
A friend may need a break.You may not be able to repair a broken friendship during political campaigns or when feelings are high.If possible, stay open to reconciliation and realize that you and your friend may make up your differences in the future.Don't say anything to remove the chance of repair.It doesn't have to be a permanent break to agree to go your separate ways.Don't get upset if you had a disagreement.