How Do I Deal With My Friend Who Discusses Controversial Issues?

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I have a friend who is great in almost every respect, except that she has this habit of droning on about controversial issues of the day - i.e. politics, Israel/Palestine, religion, war, etc. This makes me very uncomfortable because when she asks my opinion, I am not quite sure what to say.

Also, I think she may be unintentionally discriminatory against my ethnic group and she makes hateful comments about my ethnic group. Then, she requires me to voice my opinion.

How Do I Deal With My Friend Who Discusses Controversial Issues?
 
next time she asks you a question that you believe may be discriminatory against you or your ethnicity reply to her 'i don't know, what do you want me to say?' if she asks you what you mean tell her, tell her how you don't like discussing politics and your ehtnicity, tell here there are millions of things in the world and its time she picked something different to talk about. if she doesn't apologise/see where shes wrong/change the subject - i think you should walk away and start looking for someone else to befriend.

best of luck,
xx
 
1st off the racial disrespect is so unacceptable and you need to call her on it , some people don't realize what they say can be hurtful but on the controversial issues you really should discuss it with her, you are probably only uncomfortable because you disagree with her. If this is the case state your opinion and if she rakes you over the coals about it then tell her she is being a total ass and she needs to understand that, though you love her, you don't have to believe everything she does. Don't back down everyone has opinions because everyone, or at least most people have intelligent thoughts.
 
not really a friend is she . just ask her what it is she is implying and if it's as you suspect , send her on her way . plenty more friends in the sea .
 
I'd just try and talk to her about it, but only if she is one of your pretty good friends. If not then slow voice what you think but don't push it on her.
 
I see this as a double sided question, the first being your issue with her talking about controversial issues and the other being that you feel she is discriminating against your race. For the first I know exactly how you feel - it's really hard to have an opinion on current events and stay up to date on everything AND be articulate about it. Whenever I get in that situation and people are talking about a current event or something I don't know anything about, and they ask me what I think, I just shake my head and say that the world is a crazy place and what I think today could change tomorrow. It usually works? LOL

As with the other issue, someone else suggested asking her what she wants you to say, and I think that was excellent! You can just look her square in the eye and say, quietly but pointedly: "What would you like me to say to that?" It should get your point across nicely. Good luck!
 
Tell your 'friend' that if she wants to hang out with you, she needs to not make discriminatory remarks about your ethnic group (or any ethnic group for that matter) and that you would rather lighten up your conversations a bit. A real friend will understand, a not-so-real friend isn't worth hanging around with.
 
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