Keeping the Bah Humbug out of ‘Tis the Season to be Jolly
Though the Pandemic Grinch is with us for yet another year, take solace in the fact that good cheer still flows, and good people still gather at home and office parties. You can do your part to keep this season jolly by paying special attention to what you say and don’t say. Think twice, and then think again, before responding to sinister and provocative questions like “What do you think of Biden now?” or “Gonna vote for Trump if he runs?”
Successfully avoiding negative prompts is an art. Invitations to obviously negative conversations have no place in gatherings where fun and lightheartedness is the objective. But sometimes, no matter how hard you try, like Santa, negative talk is sure to come your way!
Here are a few tips to help you tactfully avoid getting bogged down in the quicksand of a negative conversation:
When the topic of politics surfaces, dodge getting sucked into the conversation by gracefully exiting the room. Go into the kitchen for another helping, seek out more sumptuous hors d’oeuvres to munch on, or find a bathroom.
If someone says something like “What do you think about those Dems?” don’t think you can get away with saying “I don’t want to talk about politics.” You’ll only get a response like “Why? Don’t you care?” Instead, use a quip such as “I only comment about stuff like that when I’m with my doctor who specializes in mental illness . . . and oh, don’t take that personally.”
Or if asked directly, touch on a few points before ending by saying, “It doesn’t matter because my comments will most likely not change the course of history.”
Keep these tips in mind for a jolly holiday!
