AVOID THAT POLITICAL DIFFERENCES AFFECT YOUR PERSONAL RELATIONS

Intense debates about the candidates and the political parties take place in the after-dinner talks, in family meetings or with friends, in group chat conversations and even in social network publications.

Talking about politics can be very enriching. When talking with people who sympathize with a candidate or party different from the one that has your preference, you have the possibility of having a broader picture, knowing the various options available, as well as their proposals, positions and ideas.

This information and exchange of ideas can be useful both to reaffirm your intention to vote and to define it, if you are undecided.

However, when touching this issue it is important to be careful that it does not get out of hand, as it can end in insults, aggressions, anger and damaged family or friendly relationships. To avoid it, here are some simple tips.

Respect and tolerance first of all. The debate should be kept in a respectful and tolerant tone, without the mood rising and obviously, without coming to insults or aggression. Expose your views and let others do so, even if they have different or even opposed positions.

Speak with empathy. It is good that you express your disagreements with the political ideology of a certain candidate or party, it is part of your right to free expression and it is just what enriches the debates. What you should avoid is to attack and disqualify the followers of that party or candidate, because it is likely that among the people who are in the talk there are those who sympathize with them.

Do not take anything personal. If someone involved in the talk comments something against the candidate for which you intend to vote, do not take it personally, it is not something against you, simply have a different way of thinking and is entitled to express it.

The same happens in social networks. When your contacts publish comments, information or memes against the party or candidate that you support, do not take it as an aggression towards you, because it is not, since it is only a way of expressing your opinions.

If it gets out of control, cut the subject. If you notice that your relatives or friends raise their comments or that they start to get upset and angry, it's time to change the subject or find a way to end the talk, before it becomes a pitched battle and relationships end damaged

Silence what bothers you. If these debates occur in the virtual world, you can stop seeing and reading what bothers you at the moment you want. In the chats, it is enough to change the subject or silence them while the discussion is going on.

When talking about politics, like any other topic that implies a diversity of opinions, the important thing is to maintain respect, empathy and tolerance. This will prevent these talks from becoming personal discussions that affect the relationships between those involved.