[jamaicabound]

Just curious if anyone else has run into this and how you deal with it. My boss has very liberal political views, is from England so thinks its crazy Americans can own guns and just buys into the big government, welfare state and all that jazz.

He frequently wants to talk politics and current events and basically talks withme like he's preaching to the choir. I have totally opposite views as him and for the most part I just kind of smile and nod and try to steer the conversation other ways however at times I just get sick of hearing him or can shoot down his ideas with facts and will express my own opinion. He definatley knows we're not on the same spectrum on these issues but still brings them up.

In the grand scheme of things this isn't a huge issue I can just kind of smile and nod and agree just to get him to shutup but it just doesn't seem very weak and beta to go along with something you don't agree with or to not speak your mind. At the same time however its not worth getting on the bosses wrong side over a discussion or debate that means nothing and gets me nothing.

Just curious if anyone else has dealt with a boss like this and how you handled it?

[Mage]

Use his liberal heart to extract benefits. Don't argue.

[SteveMcMahon]

(10-21-2014 09:10 AM)jamaicabound Wrote:  

Just curious if anyone else has run into this and how you deal with it. My boss has very liberal political views, is from England so thinks its crazy Americans can own guns and just buys into the big government, welfare state and all that jazz.

He frequently wants to talk politics and current events and basically talks withme like he's preaching to the choir. I have totally opposite views as him and for the most part I just kind of smile and nod and try to steer the conversation other ways however at times I just get sick of hearing him or can shoot down his ideas with facts and will express my own opinion. He definatley knows we're not on the same spectrum on these issues but still brings them up.

In the grand scheme of things this isn't a huge issue I can just kind of smile and nod and agree just to get him to shutup but it just doesn't seem very weak and beta to go along with something you don't agree with or to not speak your mind. At the same time however its not worth getting on the bosses wrong side over a discussion or debate that means nothing and gets me nothing.

Just curious if anyone else has dealt with a boss like this and how you handled it?

I never talk politics in the office. Some people can't shut up about it, I just let them get on with their pointless gum-flapping. Doesn't matter if I agree with them or not, I think it's unprofessional to bring politics, race or religion into a place of business.

It's not beta to refuse to be drawn into an argument with your boss about things that have nothing to do with your work - it's more like amused mastery. It's beta to let someone else's opinions provoke you into a debate you can't win - like those 20,000 tattooed girls screaming at Matt Forney. And you can't "win" a debate with the boss. As you note, you have nothing to gain from it.

Let the guy think you agree with him if it suits you. If it's annoying you, steer the conversation to work topics.

My stock phrases for when someone in the office wants to talk politics:

* I hadn't heard that / didn't know that
* Oh
* I see
* That's politicians for you
* Huh
* Hmmm
* Geez

They soon get bored and go away.

[blairnaso]

Liberals usually shut up if you debate them for more than half a minutes. He wants to talk, nor discuss. Play his game back at him, and he'll soon change the subject.

[TigerMandingo]

This may be unpopular but I hit back with my own arguments.

Co-worker: "So you hear they legalized gay marriage in Mass., Wisconsin etc?"

Me: "Yea, isn't it horrible?'

Talk shit. Fight back. I'm past the point where I give a shit anymore. Someone sputters some bullshit in my ear, I want to call them out on it. I haven't lost my job over it yet or suffered any serious consequences.

[monster]

(10-21-2014 09:30 AM)SteveMcMahon Wrote:  

It's not beta to refuse to be drawn into an argument with your boss about things that have nothing to do with your work - it's more like amused mastery. It's beta to let someone else's opinions provoke you into a debate you can't win - like those 20,000 tattooed girls screaming at Matt Forney. And you can't "win" a debate with the boss. As you note, you have nothing to gain from it.

Exactly! Don't get drawn into arguing over petty politics with someone who literally controls your career both in the now (your pay and promotional opportunities) and in the future (your reference if you switched to another company). Be smart.

Besides, the left and right are overwhelmingly the exact same shitstorm

[The Beast1]

You have nothing to gain and absolutely everything to lose.

Beyond getting him to eat his own words and looking like an idiot it's not worth the battle.

[DarkTriad]

(10-21-2014 09:10 AM)jamaicabound Wrote:  

Just curious if anyone else has run into this and how you deal with it. My boss has very liberal political views, is from England so thinks its crazy Americans can own guns and just buys into the big government, welfare state and all that jazz.

He frequently wants to talk politics and current events and basically talks withme like he's preaching to the choir. I have totally opposite views as him and for the most part I just kind of smile and nod and try to steer the conversation other ways however at times I just get sick of hearing him or can shoot down his ideas with facts and will express my own opinion. He definatley knows we're not on the same spectrum on these issues but still brings them up.

In the grand scheme of things this isn't a huge issue I can just kind of smile and nod and agree just to get him to shutup but it just doesn't seem very weak and beta to go along with something you don't agree with or to not speak your mind. At the same time however its not worth getting on the bosses wrong side over a discussion or debate that means nothing and gets me nothing.

Just curious if anyone else has dealt with a boss like this and how you handled it?

Just consistently say "I'm not into discussing politics at work" and find a way to break away (preferably to do your job). Act like he committed some faux pas. If the conversation grinds to awkward halt every time he starts trying to bully you like that, he'll eventually stop doing it.

[Parlay44]

I had a co-worker like that. Older guy. Conservative Christian dude. Got stuck driving 8 hours to Pittsburgh with him one time for work. He starts in with "Don't you believe that the bible is the inspired word of God".

Me: Uhh no. I think most of the bible stories are about aliens.

I find it funny(I don't find it funny) how Christians try to indoctrinate you into their cult.

[vinman]

Use game. Agree & amplify.

[Sombro]

Co-worker: "So you hear they legalized gay marriage in Mass., Wisconsin etc?"

Me: "How is this gonna affect the business?'

I either ignore, or steer it back to the business at hand.
If comments have nothing to do with work, then they are getting in the way of my work. And if someone is keeping me from getting the job done, I have no problem going to the top and letting the honchos know.

I've gotten more than one incompetent manager canned this way.

ymmv

[WestIndianArchie]

There are only a couple of Alpha things you can do as an employee

1) Quit
2) Take over the business

Trying to win a battle of wits with your boss is a sure fire way to stall your career.

WIA

[Alpha]

(10-21-2014 10:36 AM)vinman Wrote:  

Use game. Agree & amplify.

"Did you hear they legalized gay marriage?"

"I know! It's so exciting! I can't wait for the bestiality rulings!"

[CRR]

Steve McMahon nailed it.

I've worked for very liberal to very conservative bosses. The ones who talk about it are looking for you to just nod in agreement or for a fight, no in between.

As said above, it's very unprofessional. And looking back, I would get drawn in and it would only make me look bad.

My current boss is somewhat middle of the road. He hates being nickeled and dimed on taxes, fees, etcetera. He complains about people abusing the welfare system. He hates guns. I'd say he is generally liberal on social issues. I respect his work ethic and intellect and like him as a person. So on the mostly rare occasions he complains to me about some political issue, I just nod my head.

I say even with coworkers do not get drawn into a political argument. I see people do it and it's never worth it. It's not going to change anyone's mind, it's unprofessional, and most importantly, it will do nothing for your career. So for purposes of self preservation, don't do it.

[Alpha]

(10-21-2014 11:09 AM)CRR Wrote:  

It's not going to change anyone's mind, it's unprofessional, and most importantly, it will do nothing for your career.

Not to mention if you're in a service industry, your customers and clients do not give a shit. You risk losing real, actual money.

[TheWastelander]

Just agree and amplify and see what kind of insane things you can get him to agree with. Make it a game.

[Sonsowey]

Agree and Amplify with feminists is hilarious.

"Women are just as good as men"

"I know, that's why they should get rid of women's and men's sports leagues and just have sports leagues that accept everyone, letting the best individuals play"

"There is no single standard of beauty"

"I know, I think Zuckerberg's wife is beautiful"

[Parlay44]

(10-21-2014 12:01 PM)Sonsowey Wrote:  

Agree and Amplify with feminists is hilarious.

"Women are just as good as men"

"I know, that's why they should get rid of women's and men's sports leagues and just have sports leagues that accept everyone, letting the best individuals play"

"There is no single standard of beauty"

"I know, I think Zuckerberg's wife is beautiful"

I think we need more women diesel mechanics and iron workers.

[TheWastelander]

In addition to the reactions often being pretty funny, I hold out a shred of hope that maybe it'll make them reconsider their position and at least put a limit on just how far they're willing to support something.

There's also a chance they'll just agree and repeat the insanity to someone else who will call them on it and make them look stupid.

Some examples:

"I think assault weapons ought to be banned."

"I agree. The government ought to go confiscate them all and kill anyone who won't turn theirs in."

"Isn't it terrible what they're doing to animals in these factory farms?"

"You have no idea. You think it's just that? Farmers harvesting crops kill millions of animals every year with their machinery. In addition to banning factory farms we need to ban commonly accepted genocidal farming practices and tools, like the combine harvester."

[DarkTriad]

(10-21-2014 10:36 AM)vinman Wrote:  

Use game. Agree & amplify.

A friend of mine used to short circuit unproductive abortion debates by saying "An abortion is such an amazing experience, I think everyone should be required to have one."

[Feisbook Control]

(10-21-2014 12:14 PM)TheWastelander Wrote:  

In addition to the reactions often being pretty funny, I hold out a shred of hope that maybe it'll make them reconsider their position and at least put a limit on just how far they're willing to support something.

There's also a chance they'll just agree and repeat the insanity to someone else who will call them on it and make them look stupid.

Some examples:

"I think assault weapons ought to be banned."

"I agree. The government ought to go confiscate them all and kill anyone who won't turn theirs in."

"Isn't it terrible what they're doing to animals in these factory farms?"

"You have no idea. You think it's just that? Farmers harvesting crops kill millions of animals every year with their machinery. In addition to banning factory farms we need to ban commonly accepted genocidal farming practices and tools, like the combine harvester."

[CRR]

(10-21-2014 11:45 AM)Alpha Wrote:  

(10-21-2014 11:09 AM)CRR Wrote:  

It's not going to change anyone's mind, it's unprofessional, and most importantly, it will do nothing for your career.

Not to mention if you're in a service industry, your customers and clients do not give a shit. You risk losing real, actual money.

True.

I'd add it's also better to be the slightly mysterious guy at work. Fraternize with your coworkers, but keep people at arms length. Don't get involved with people's personal lives. Bang your hot coworkers, but keep it on the down low.

Women of course like this. And men respect a guy who doesn't get involved in petty nonsense. That's for women.

[Sonsowey]

"Don't you hope Hillary wins?"

"Yeah, age ain't nothin but a number, you go girl!"

Just be Stephen Colbert's flip-side.

[WalterBlack]

There’s a saying in England that goes something like, “don’t talk about sex, politics or religion in polite company”. I apply the same maxim to my workplace.

My ex-boss was a moron who thought Fox News was a reliable news source, but I never called him out on it. There’s no upside to this at all, and I don’t want to get on anybody’s shitlist.

[Praetor Lupus]

My boss stays in his fucking office and runs shit, like a boss is meant to do. Emerges occasionally to set up meetings for the good of the company, save our jobs, and eat. The one time he entered our old office was by accident.

If he was to discuss politics, I'd state my views and stand by them while respecting his own, unless he tried to impose them on me.