Reply #20: You don't have to call them an asshole

[Kelvin Mace]

or behave impolitely. I have found that mildly amused incredulity works very well. You treat them like you would a five year old who is explaining their views on brain surgery.

I routinely deal with truck drivers, very, very reactionary pro-Limbaugh types. I had one ranting about how unions were "destroying America and jobs". I smiled and responded:

"I might agree with you except for this curious article I read in the Financial Times during the Detroit bailout talks that while the U.S. divisions were broke, the European divisions were making money. This was strange since European countries have unions, plus severe (by American standards) laws about minimum vacation time, maternity/paternity leave, short work weeks, plus socialist programs like universal health care. It would seem to me that if unions, stringent government safety/work rules, and massive socialism are bad, then all of these companies should be broke, yet they made money while their American counterparts, lacking all of these disadvantages, bled money."

Always smile, always be polite, but make your point. If they get upset, let them shout. I have driven many a loon to apoplexy with this approach.