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May 29, 2004
Faux Pas
Larry Elder, in today's WashTimes, claims that social Bush-bashing has become liberal America's #1 hobby. Now I don't know about that, but I do agree that the Bush-bashers I've encountered are seriously lacking in social skills & manners.
Social Bush-bashers depend on something they feel Bush supporters lack: civility. Mature people avoid making others uncomfortable or disputing politics in social settings. They avoid unnecessarily offending people they don't know and don't assume the world is in lockstep with their views.
One of the worst basher I've encountered so far was a customer at the store where I used to work. She took a totally innocuous question from me (How are you today?) as an opportunity to go into an irrational mini-rant about how Bush was destroying America and how, if he got re-elected, she was moving out of the country to probably Canada. She then asked didn't I agree?
In the split-second before I answered, I considered these things. A) I was being paid to work, not to discuss politics. B) Discussing politics with an irrational idiot is much like trying to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of time and generally annoys the pig. C) I was taught that to discuss religion or politics with a complete stranger in an inappropriate social setting is extremely bad manners.
So I suggested that perhaps she consider moving to Italy, because the climate was much nicer. And I said it with a smile.
Her relieved daughter, whom I could tell was embarrassed by the tirade, joined in and the conversation turned to delightful places we'd seen in Europe.
You see, I learned a long time ago that you can't have a productive conversation with an irrational idiot on a subject about which learned minds can disagree.....so the best thing is to distract 'em with something shiny.
Good manners. More people should use them.
Posted by Rita at May 29, 2004 07:24 AM
Comments
I love that pig comment. I think the best incarnation I have come across is "You can teach a pig to sing but it doesn't sound very good and is inconvenient for the pig."
I will be chuckling for hours now.
Posted by: Andy at May 29, 2004 12:46 PM
Excellent way to handle that social oinker.
Posted by: Jim - Parkway Rest Stop at May 29, 2004 06:21 PM
Just came from the book store--do you know how many Bush-bashing books are on the shelves?
Cripes.
Posted by: david at May 29, 2004 10:10 PM
As I was reading this I had a thought that these people (Bush bashers) are beginning to sound like radical cheerleaders at some sort of weird sports event. I then googled "political cheerleaders" and was surprised to find that radical cheerleading is a trendy new behavior, with several web sites (including Radical Cheerleaders) offering comraderie, mentoring, and tutoring. The un-official salute seems to involve cursing Capitalism (or President Bush), while doing the splits and giving the finger. I'm stunned. I really thought that these people had already reached the bottom of the pit of boring stupidity.
Posted by: kenneth at May 30, 2004 06:35 AM
Never underestimate the moronic depths that mprons will sink to. Sad, but all too true.
Posted by: david at May 30, 2004 01:19 PM