Flying to a cousin's wedding this weekend. There will be Republicans there.

[pnwmom]

Last edited Mon Jun 20, 2016, 08:43 PM - Edit history (1)

Young Republican, old Republicans. All outwardly successful and full of themselves.

I'm going because it's the only way to see some of the nicer relatives, who are usually scattered around the country. But I don't know how uncomfortable things might get, or what I might end up saying if someone bashes Hillary. I'm out of practice because the criticism of Hillary in Seattle comes from the left. (So we're all basically on the same team.)

Not much of a drinker, so that won't help.

Wish me luck!

P.S. Also, some of these people have never accepted that my father was gay. So there's that, too.

[kimbutgar]

1. Please let us know how it goes

I have to muzzle myself when I visit my husband's right wing sister and her loser adult children in Arizona. They are big Don the con supporters. I refuse to go there until after the election. You are brave!

[calimary]

2. Be gentle.

They may be doing more drinking anyway. I'd guess there are lots of sorrows to drown, in that contingent.

[pnwmom]

17. True. I don't need to rub salt into gaping wounds. n/t

[Ex Lurker]

3. You're not obligated to engage with them

You won't change their minds and they won't change yours. Be polite, exchange pleasantries, and move on to the relatives you get along with. It'll be over in a few hours.

[Fresh_Start]

4. Keep changing the subject back to Trump

that will keep you amused

[Hortensis]

29. Lol.

That's mean. Seriously, if there's TV viewing, maybe slip into the powder room with the remote(s) and block Fox and any other right-wing news from the channel list. They constantly keep the fires stoked, and it might just help a bit.

[Blanks]

5. Think of it as opposition research...

Ask lots of questions and report back so we can refute their talking points in the months to come.

They share a brain after all.

[pnwmom]

7. "They share a brain after all."

[yeoman6987]

6. I've gone to at least 20 weddings over the years from all political spectrum

And not one time was politics discussed. Practice your chicken dance that's more likely to cause discussion.

[pnwmom]

8. One of my cousins and his mother are party muckety-mucks in their state.

So politics tends to come up.

Hopefully I won't be put next to them at a table. But I might be because most of the people attending I won't know.

[yeoman6987]

11. I hope it turns out better then you fear.

[ileus]

9. If only we could outlaw the GOP.

[Person 2713]

10. Hope you are seated with the nicer relatives and can concentrate on those folks you wish

to see

[Maeve]

12. You might be surprised

They may keep politics out of it, they may have the normal queasy feeling Trumplethinskin give so many people...and you might consider asking if they've looked at the Libertarian party candidate. (He seems to be a good option for many who would normally vote GOP but still have souls) Some anti-Clinton-types in my family are looking for ANY out from voting R this year.

[pnwmom]

13. One of the most obnoxious, smug, and overbearing is a Libertarian.

So I hate to encourage anyone in that! But you're right -- better to peel away as many Rethug votes as possible.

[Maeve]

14. Hubby and I flirted with Libertarianism back in the '80's

Then we stopped smoking weed.

[elfin]

15. My stock chitchat remark with a smile before I return to the bar...

"Many people think like you do."

Avoids a fight that might mar a festive occasion held for others I do care about.

[pnwmom]

16. Good line -- thanks. n/t

[mcar]

18. Just dance, eat, talk to the ones you like

and let the others know you are happy to see them and how's the family?

That was my successful strategy for a family wedding earlier this month. I found no need to talk politics and had every plan to ignore it if the issue came up. It's a wedding; time to celebrate!

Enjoy!

[Bucky]

19. Luck? Hell, I *envy* you for all that gloating you're going to get to do

[pnwmom]

20. LOL. I think I shall do my gloating in private, though,

afterwards with the hubby.

[MerryBlooms]

21. I've been in the same circumstance many times, it's not that hard to avoid conflict.

You smile a lot, excuse yourself and move on. It works for family and business, it's not that difficult.

[pnwmom]

22. I had a man seated next to me in an airplane suddenly and viciously

go off on Hillary, because of something he was reading on his i-pad, and it made me very uncomfortable for the rest of the flight.

Up till then we had been getting along fine.

[MerryBlooms]

32. Smile, don't engage and point to your earbuds, then close your eyes.

[brer cat]

23. Sometimes it helps

to be hard of hearing. After a few dozen "what did you say?" they might choose to discuss politics with someone else.

[pnwmom]

26. Hey, there's a tactic.

[Hortensis]

34. Oh, that could be fun...

[Marr]

24. What do you care if hey 'bash Hillary'?

Seriously-- she's a politician, not your pal. Why on earth would you feel obligated to attack family members over an insult to some politician?

[pnwmom]

25. Where did I say I"d feel obligated to attack family members?

But I do care when people in power promote lies about the only person who might save us from Trump.

And I've had the recent experience of being forced to sit for several hours next to a seething hater on a plane. It was disturbing to see a man who seemed normal one minute -- who had some things in common -- suddenly seem like this powder keg of male loathing.

[YOHABLO]

27. I would stay away from talking politics. It's a special day. One day without politics is best.

[pnwmom]

28. Sadly, the brother and mother are politicos. But hopefully they will

avoid those subjects -- this time.

[alc]

30. "we're here to celebrate a wedding, not talk politics"

If they bring it up. Have questions ready about their life or stories of your cousin if that's not enough to change the topic.

Stick with the nicer relatives.

And don't bring it up with anyone you know will distract from the wedding.

If it get's hard keep telling yourself this weekend is about your cousin and you may need to suffer to make his/her wedding as nice as possible for the new couple. I hate weddings but easier when I keep reminding myself it's not about me.

[drray23]

31. i feel your pain

I have one relative who is republican. We had interesting but polite discussions over the years. He is a retired general. He is of the moderate kind and Trump so completely pissed him off. He is horrified at what the GOP has become. For the first time in decades, he told me he is going to vote Clinton because he will not trust Trump with the security of the nation.

[pnwmom]

33. I hope there are many out there like him. I did google my cousin's name

with Donald Trump (the name of the politico brother of the bride) and found nothing. So that's good.

[Hekate]

35. Smile gently and ask what they think of how Trump's campaign is doing....

Say there, there a lot. Try not to laugh out loud.

We'll be waiting for your report.

[GulfCoast66]

36. I'm from Louisiana

If someone says something you think is over the top, smile at them, say 'how nice' and walk away.

If at the dinner table keep your mouth full of food.

Too bad it is family. I drive a big truck, wear jeans and boots, fish and hunt and have been told I might have an accent. Strangers often make incorrect assumptions about my politics and make racially biased statements. I live for the moment I can look them in the eye and tell them my wife is African American. They always attempt an awkward backtrack.

My wife happens to be a white woman from the Midwest. I hope that does not offend anyone but it is always enjoyable.

[pnwmom]

41. Or, that all purpose, "Oh, really? Bless your heart!"

Except I'd have trouble choking that phrase out.

[GulfCoast66]

42. Well

I'm a guy. I can't really say that. But have heard it delivered in a manner more devastating than any good cussing out. By a older prim and proper lady.

[whathehell]

37. Aw, Geez..I have the same problem

I have a couple of truly redneck cousins..They are not particularly successful, and it's hard for me, because I grew up with them..Right on the same block, our mothers were sisters and quite close. It's tough because I like them, personally.

[Laffy Kat]

38. Good luck and wishing you strength.

My late RWNJ father-in-law and his wife were personal friends with Tom Tancredo and I had to listen to that more than a few times. I didn't do well. We really didn't speak much toward the end there. I'm an outspoken person about some things.

[pnwmom]

40. These people also think Obama

is part of the evil Chicago machine. So it's really fun to listen to them.



I guess I should just feel sorry for them for being so deluded.

[mercuryblues]

39. my tactic

is to offer to go to the bar and get them another drink (order them a double of whatever they are drinking at the bar). When you come back, the subject should have changed by then. If it isn't when they taste the strong drink, they will comment on it.