I was brought up not to discuss politics and/or religion at work, right?

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

I haven't brought either up, except religion when I needed to ask for time off for religious observance (Jewish holidays).

I've been working for the same place for almost six years (which is scary in itself). During the 2000 election, things got really ugly. I quickly figured out I was vastly outnumbered by freepers at my office. How did I know this? People, including the bosses (one, who has since left, was a Dem; the other two are freepers), were talking openly about the election. I guess they figured out I wasn't one of them because I didn't engage in their Gore-bashing (I chose instead to sit at my desk, close my door and ignore them...while doing my work...after all, isn't that what we're paid to do??).

There was this one asshole who isn't there anymore (thankfully) who used to come into my office and literally bait me. He pretty much stopped when I told him that unless he had a work issue to discuss with me, he'd be best to get the hell out of my office.

Things pretty much settled down after the election was over and even since then, it hasn't been that bad. A lot of people have left, though the two freeper bosses are still there, as well as another guy who apparently is a freeper but doesn't give me shit about politics.


So, you're wondering, where are you going with this? Even though I don't discuss politics at the office, I did have a Kerry-Edwards sticker on my car and I think they pretty much know I'm a Dem. This, of course, has nothing to do with my job or my qualifications.

Recently, one of the bosses has been making disparaging comments I think to get my goat, or maybe I should say donkey?! While standing outside my office talking to the freeper who doesn't give me shit, the boss made some comment about "those damn liberals" (he was talking about the death penalty). Then today, I made a comment about how I wished the Internet was around when I was in high school (I found some really good info. in a snap), and he made a sarcastic comment about Al Gore and how he "supposedly invented the Internet."

He claimed not to be talking about politics (yeah, right). Being a boss, he should know better than to bring up politics, but truth be told, he's pretty much a good ol' boy, so there you are.

I told him I didn't like discussing politics at the office. I said I practice my politics at home and at the voting booth. I thought by me telling him that I didn't like discussing politics, I was handling it in a mature way. I don't want to sink down to his level.


I feel like I'm being a woos by not defending myself, yet, with him and the other freepers, there's no winning.

Anyone in this boat? :wtf:

[geckosfeet]

1. just keep your head down brother,,, we need you

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

2. HUH? I'm a sister, btw, but that's cool. I've been called worse.

Btw, welcome to DU, geckosfeet.

[Pirate Smile]

3. You sound incredibly mature, reasonable and considerate.

:patriot:

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

6. You are so sweet! Something not so mature, but explains the

SCRUBDASHRUB name: When things were getting really ugly in 2000 and I felt like the freepers at work were ganging up on me, right as I was walking out the door to leave, I turned around and said to the freepers, "Scrub the Shrub!" They looked at me like I was from outer space!

[Pirate Smile]

10. Cool! I always like to know where people get their screen names.

Politics is so hot and emotional right now that my in-laws, who are republicans, and I just absolutely do not touch it.

My FIL became "radicalized" during the 90's with Clinton and Rush. I guess Shrub has done the same thing to me - along with an unnecessary war and its horrific repercussions.

Plus, I don't think we even agree on enough basic facts ("reality") to have a reasonable discussion. They watch Faux 24/7.

One discussion we did get into (something I never wanted to discuss with him) was when the SC struck down the sodomy law. He thought they shouldn't have. I mentioned that sodomy included oral sex. He didn't believe me and we literally had to get the dictionary out.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

12. To have been a fly on the wall when you got the dictionary out!?

[Frances]

4. I think you are wise to take this approach

I worked at a fairly liberal organization in the 80s. It was clear that most of us were on the same page politically because of the nature of our work. But one day someone brought up a specific politician and the boss said, "I don't discuss politics at work."

My husband said that when he was in the Navy many years ago (back when there was a draft), he was told never to discuss politics, religion, or spouses.

[blogbear]

5. Don't you know that you can't handle a freeper in "a mature way"?..You

must relate to freepers in a way they understand..ie the manure way!

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

8. LOL!

:hurts:

[cynatnite]

7. It shows your integrity and professionalism

I worked in the transcription office of a cardiology office a few years ago. It was packed with freepers and I couldn't have hacked staying there any longer than I did. Thankfully it was a temp job.

They freeped all over the place with their religion, their politics, personal lives and anything else that had nothing to do with the job. It drove me crazy.

In the army we were trained to be professionals at all times and that has always stayed with me. Professionalism is a much needed trait in the work force.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

9. :)

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

11. I work for architects; a friend of mine who does the same thing I

do for another firm in town says people talk politics, too, but they're mostly Dems. Freeper architects? I guess it takes all kinds.