Reply #104

In the discussion thread: A right winger just went OFF on me a few minutes ago at work. In Texas. [View all]

Sat Nov 10, 2012, 12:57 PM

104. Why would he know that you voted for President Obama?

I really am sorry you're in this difficult situation, but I have to wonder why you would discuss politics with a client at all. You say you want to just be left alone and be allowed to do the job you are paid to do, so I assume that engaging in political discussions with clients is not part of your job. It also sounds like this isn't the first time you've had a political discussion with this individual (. . . "as usual, steered the conversation to politics").

The old adage of not discussing politics or religion at the dinner table applies equally well to the workplace. Though it may grate to not speak your mind, it is often better to simply say "I prefer not to discuss politics at work" and then follow through by not discussing it. You are not compromising your principles by not engaging with someone who, as you stated, will not consider alternative ideas - you're simply maintaining the workplace peace that you want.

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126 replies	Author	Time	Post
A right winger just went OFF on me a few minutes ago at work. In Texas. [View all]	hamsterjill	Nov 2012	OP
Their violence on America has been what we've been fighting against	ffr	Nov 2012	#1
My sympathies!	CaliforniaPeggy	Nov 2012	#2
Thanks, Peggy.	hamsterjill	Nov 2012	#6
Agreed! You can be polite but still end the abuse.	Pmc1962	Nov 2012	#36
If her boss is	femrap	Nov 2012	#80
CaliforniaPeggy, your post was very well written, concise, succinct and definitely not a rant.	xtraxritical	Nov 2012	#123
It is because his belief is only skin deep....and any disagreement scares the shit out of them	NRaleighLiberal	Nov 2012	#3
It is terror.	hamsterjill	Nov 2012	#9
just think about how much happier and grounded you are.	NRaleighLiberal	Nov 2012	#11
+1	Bernardo de La Paz	Nov 2012	#76
You said you're worried he will "tattle" on you	PearliePoo2	Nov 2012	#117
Sadly their belief is close to absolute. But nor are they blind.	TheMadMonk	Nov 2012	#63
You really can't argue with those people.	The Velveteen Ocelot	Nov 2012	#4
Absolutely correct way to deal with it.	hamsterjill	Nov 2012	#16
Be like the chick fil a employee	demhottie	Nov 2012	#28
I hate was CFA stands for...	awoke_in_2003	Nov 2012	#61
Yes, refuse to engage is best. But if you must or if you want to for sport or ultimate effect, ...	Bernardo de La Paz	Nov 2012	#75
+100	amborin	Nov 2012	#95
I understand ...	1StrongBlackMan	Nov 2012	#5
That is my fear.	hamsterjill	Nov 2012	#10
I edditted my response to provide a defensive course of action. n/t	1StrongBlackMan	Nov 2012	#22
VERY sorry.	elleng	Nov 2012	#7
Have done as you suggest.	hamsterjill	Nov 2012	#12
I think that's the best idea	Major Nikon	Nov 2012	#79
You're right. . . . .	BigDemVoter	Nov 2012	#8
You were harassed by a customer.	RandySF	Nov 2012	#13
Yes. I should have had better control over the conversation.	hamsterjill	Nov 2012	#20
This message was self-deleted by its author	Sekhmets Daughter	Nov 2012	#40
Tell your boss today	Dyedinthewoolliberal	Nov 2012	#14
Just	Blaspherian	Nov 2012	#15
Call your boss first...	PoliticalBiker	Nov 2012	#17
I'm not sure.	RandySF	Nov 2012	#23
But...	PoliticalBiker	Nov 2012	#30
Would have been good if you could have recorded the conversation. If there is a next time, be sure	OregonBlue	Nov 2012	#18
Whenever you encounter this, try and remember one thing:	Downtown Hound	Nov 2012	#19
Thank you.	hamsterjill	Nov 2012	#21
Have you ever discussed politics with your employers?	Indpndnt	Nov 2012	#24
There are other places to work in Texas that are just the opposite	DFW	Nov 2012	#25
A huge thank you to DU!	hamsterjill	Nov 2012	#26
This is good advice. It's so hard sometimes though. If you are strong enough to realize they are	The Wielding Truth	Nov 2012	#53
I don't talk politics at work	RosedaleGuy	Nov 2012	#27
I think this is the best advice on this thread	Carni	Nov 2012	#32
No, that's not cold.	hamsterjill	Nov 2012	#69
You can't win with those people	Carni	Nov 2012	#71
I would have said nothing, and hung up on him	RoccoR5955	Nov 2012	#29
My suggestion when he calls again is to say your sorry for screaming. If he brings up	southernyankeebelle	Nov 2012	#31
Next time just tell him that you cannot spend your employer's time discussing politics.	AtheistCrusader	Nov 2012	#33
You should have told him to go fuck himself and then hung up.	RBInMaine	Nov 2012	#34
Just another JACK BOOTED tea party BROWN SHIRT.	penndragon69	Nov 2012	#35
A very crappy experience!	JNelson6563	Nov 2012	#37
I certainly agree with you.	Savannahmann	Nov 2012	#38
He was harrassing you	abelenkpe	Nov 2012	#39
Sorry to hear	tiredtoo	Nov 2012	#41
Sounds like you work with and for a bunch of whack jobs. I feel for you.	geckosfeet	Nov 2012	#42
One of the advantages of being retired . . .	flamin lib	Nov 2012	#43
Thanks for the link :)	Cha	Nov 2012	#45
Please, do not "apologize" to us, hamsterjill! It's We who are sorry	Cha	Nov 2012	#44
You're a brave person!	imanamerican63	Nov 2012	#46
Despite your personal beliefs......	Swede Atlanta	Nov 2012	#47
this is so true.	barbtries	Nov 2012	#84
hamsterjill, I am so sorry you were treated that way	ailsagirl	Nov 2012	#48
Sorry your state is so overrun.	DaveJ	Nov 2012	#49
Yes	loyalkydem	Nov 2012	#50
Not wanting to get my blood pressure up.	cyclezealot	Nov 2012	#51
I feel for you, have been in similar situations	cprise	Nov 2012	#52
Good to be aware that they have completely lost it.	Faygo Kid	Nov 2012	#54
Huh. ...and you say this is in Texas?	JohnnyRingo	Nov 2012	#55
Remind me?	SmittynMo	Nov 2012	#56
Stay calm - Your in the right and it drives people crazy.	pipewrench	Nov 2012	#57
You won't lose your job................	beachgirl2365	Nov 2012	#58
What the hell is wrong with these people?	Uniblab	Nov 2012	#59
"Perhaps we can discuss politics at another time, but...	jberryhill	Nov 2012	#60
What kills me is how they assume that you agree with everything they have to say!	Dustlawyer	Nov 2012	#62
I am a baby boomer of 66 yrs...	INdemo	Nov 2012	#64
Was the IDIOT asleep 4 years ago when the economy was in a nosedive?	ErikJ	Nov 2012	#65
thank you for that	barbtries	Nov 2012	#85
If you can't call or email or text your boss	csziggy	Nov 2012	#66
I disagree. Do NOT apologize to your boss. Make you boss apologize to you.	Hamlette	Nov 2012	#114
I probably would not have argued back	hfojvt	Nov 2012	#67
but you did.	barbtries	Nov 2012	#86
re:A right winger just went OFF on me a few minutes ago at work. In Texas.	allan01	Nov 2012	#68
if you still	donco	Nov 2012	#70
Call your boss first, before the jerk does. nt	Bernardo de La Paz	Nov 2012	#72
I agree!	Arugula Latte	Nov 2012	#74
Sorry that you were treated like! What a sad person that guy is.	VanillaC	Nov 2012	#73
I'm so sorry you had to deal with this. What you said here:	Chorophyll	Nov 2012	#77
Rant away. I know just what it is like.	Curmudgeoness	Nov 2012	#78
I agree with everyone who said contact your boss first.	MsPithy	Nov 2012	#81
Wow, I thought my brother-in-law had moved to Texas!	clydefrand	Nov 2012	#82
he had no right to bully you like that.	barbtries	Nov 2012	#83
Give your biggest smile	blue cat	Nov 2012	#87
Another racist white guy who can't stand that "his people" don't have as much power anymore	Alekei_Firebird	Nov 2012	#88
We moved here to Texas from the east coast nearly a decade ago -	TBF	Nov 2012	#89
I am a lifelong Texas Democrat	Texin	Nov 2012	#91
Yes. Im in NJ yet I saw far more Romney signs....	Kyad06	Nov 2012	#109
Politics is a part of everyday life in Texas.	Buzz Clik	Nov 2012	#90
They come up to strangers and start to grill them about their religious affiliation.	Texin	Nov 2012	#94
I tell folks I'm not very religious -	TBF	Nov 2012	#106
They are IRRATIONAL and must treated like they are mentally ill.	VPStoltz	Nov 2012	#92
Next time he calls, tell him you are recording the conversation	thucythucy	Nov 2012	#93
I'd avoid political conversations at work	BainsBane	Nov 2012	#96
"We'll have to agree to disagree", "Oh, please hold, UPS just showed up" & hit that button.	toby jo	Nov 2012	#97
There's a funny side to all of this.	Gregorian	Nov 2012	#98
in my job i have to lie.	8 track mind	Nov 2012	#99
Hang in there hamsterjill	lunatica	Nov 2012	#100
Hang in there, hamsterjill.	Mayberry Machiavelli	Nov 2012	#101
Don't people work any more?	TrogL	Nov 2012	#102
They are pissed pff because a BLACK GUY has done tremendous good	and-justice-for-all	Nov 2012	#103
Why would he know that you voted for President Obama?	enlightenment	Nov 2012	#104
Calm & rational wins every time.	DirkGently	Nov 2012	#105
I work in customer service and your guys sounds	crim son	Nov 2012	#107
I'm getting the idea local Liberals need to hook up for a bbq.	Spitfire of ATJ	Nov 2012	#108
I actually quit my last job because I didn't like working with greedy, unfeeling, uninformed repugs	judesedit	Nov 2012	#110
yep	heaven05	Nov 2012	#111
I'm glad you're venting here.	mwooldri	Nov 2012	#112
A similar thing happened to my niece yesterday	Emit	Nov 2012	#113
Teaheads at my job go off on me too...	humbled_opinion	Nov 2012	#115
Why apologize? Those people ARE irrational and scary. Another good reply from you - but	codjh9	Nov 2012	#116
Any time you ask a Republican to stop and think these days...there's just a vacant silence.	paparush	Nov 2012	#118
Jill tell your bosses your side of the story	pitbullgirl1965	Nov 2012	#119
i would quit	maindawg	Nov 2012	#120
...awww	southern_belle	Nov 2012	#121
"I'm sorry, I seem to have called at a bad time.	Warpy	Nov 2012	#122
I think you'll be okay.	qwlauren35	Nov 2012	#124
I wish you had recorded the customer screaming at you	Iris	Nov 2012	#125
Especially in your situation better not to engage with customers. I agree with your	still_one	Nov 2012	#126

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