How often do you have certain friend groups or gatherings where you have to set limits on topics for discussions?
I'm sure that we all have friends with whom we have disagreements over certain topics (politics comes to mind) and it is best to avoid discussing if the friendship is to remain intact. Such is often the case in a large diverse family gathering such as mine.
Most of my siblings and nieces and nephews got to gather and visit together yesterday. We will be joined by our cousins and their kids later today.
I know that for our part of the family, Mom has set politics as an off limits subject. I'm not sure if there are any others, nor am I sure of how well limits will be obeyed. My guess is that there will be several well guarded conversations and that any confrontational discussions will be avoided.
Baseball rivalries such as the Cardinals and Cubs are fair game and I expect to be on the wrong side of those conversations (for a change). Personally, I wouldn't mind a few religious discussions, but those are unlikely and can be as divisive and politics. (Truthfully, I don't mind a good political discussion when cool heads prevail and it remains a discussion.)
I think the trick to any discussion is to be respectful of differing opinions and refrain from making general statements like -- All you liberals ..., Conservatives always say ..., Evangelicals want ..., Catholics are so ..., The Cubs stink -- well, you get the idea.
Mostly, we'll be catching up on each others lives. I am enjoying the conversations around the lives and livelihoods of the young adults in the group. It is exciting to hear their stories and see how they are dealing with life, love and adulthood.
I hope that you have a grand weekend and that your conversations are filled with mutual respect for one another, even though your viewpoints may differ.
John <><
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4 comments:
Well-ordered families do develop notions of off-limits in the interests of family harmony. The Breauxes do, so do others that I'm familiar with. The fact is, families themselves are diverse. Usually, it is some influential family member, like a grandmother, who will stop things from getting out of hand.
And it usually works because members of an extended family like the sense of familyness.
Politics is THE topic to avoid in several groups I'm associated with.
Some topics are just likely to result in an argument or fight. The political climate in the U.S. seems poisonous nowadays.
Family is everything and good to see that there is a line drawn on some topics. Interesting post, and warm greetings!
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