Do you speak up?
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Do you speak up?
| Mon, 05-11-2009 - 8:29am |
This weekend, DH said that I stifled the conversation when we were out to dinner with another couple.
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It really depends on the relationship.
If I'm with a client and they say something ignorant about anything having to do with health and fitness, I will kindly correct them. If they say something ignorant about anything else, I will usually nod and smile. If I've had them for a long time, sometimes I will say "Really?" because I want them to justify their statement. Incidentally, I've gotten REALLY good at handling awkward/absurd/ignorant/racist comments from clients. :D
With friendships, it depends on what my relationship with the person is and what I think it will be. If it's someone I truly care about and foresee having a lot of contact with in the future (and therefore desire them to know *me*), I will speak up.
If it's a blowhard obnoxious person, I will usually just ignore it. I am probably not going to change their minds, especially if they fall under the distinction of "blowhard idiot."
My method doesn't always work though. I currently have a girlfriend whom I've known since I was 11 and we have some of these issues. Long story short, she believes that I'm going to hell because of some of my lifestyle choices. It's useless trying to have a logical conversation with someone who believes things solely because of religion. I've been struggling a lot lately with her friendship, especially because I'm headed to my hometown next month and that's where she lives.
Oh, I have gotten myself into trouble many times!
If they start bringing friends, I think your only option is to get confrontational because swallowing it will no longer be an option.
And Dancin'... that's terrible about the "roommate". But I know people like that too. I too am disheartened when I hear kids making ignorant statements. They don't even really know what they're saying.
I do my absolute best to only socialize with people who either think like I do or are open to having rational discussions about it.
Thank you all for your comments.
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