Discussing politics in the office

[Vonkhan]

Ok, here's the situation:

a VP's office is a couple of doors down from mine. He's real friendly with the senior sales rep whose office faces mine. A few times a day, he saunter across and start discussing politics with him. They're both republican and hate Hillary and Obama, which comes with the usual jokes.

I don't have a problem with any of this

BUT:

Sometimes when they're talking at the door, they look into my office and ask "Hey, so what do you think of what Hillary said / what Obama did / etc."

1. I'm not American, but I don't have much of a foreign accent either - I don't think they know that
2. I'm not a fan of teh Republicans
3. I'm WAAAY junior and younger to the both of them

So I'm usually like uuuuh, heheh .... ye .... ya .... uuuuh

A few more weeks of my "uuuh"s and they'll think I"m mentally retarded

So, do I tell them I have no interest in US politics (lie), my opinion which is totally opposite theirs (truth) or do I stick with the "uuuh"s?

 

[FoBoT]

can they get you promoted/block your promotion?

answer this and i think you'll know what to do

 

[D1gger]

I would just go with "... sorry, politics don't interest me". There is no upside in getting into a political debate at work.

 

[Sphexi]

Are you able to vote legally? If not then it's a moot point. Tell them that you're not a citizen (yet) and not able to legally vote, so honestly you haven't followed politics too much. Bring up something from the politics in your home country and act all passionate and they'll leave you alone.

I can't vote up here in Canada, so I just shrug when people ask me about stuff and say I have no clue. Or I tell them I voted for Bush just so I can watch them get all red in the face and start foaming at the mouth, it's good for a few minutes of amusement.

 

[Chryso]

All politicians are lying scumbags regardless of which side they are on.

 

[pstylesss]

I'm able to discuss politics with a few people in the office, and we're of opposing views. We get in debates but there are no ill feelings. We know we won't change the others views but we find it fun to debate. You just need to gauge how your coworkers will react. I'm a republican and I believe that the democrats in the office are less accepting of my views than I am of theirs... which I find a bit strange since democrats are supposedly more "open minded".

In my biased experience I find democrats to be more close minded toward republicans political ideas then the other way around. You should be fine letting them know you disagree as long as you back up your opinions and aren't an asshat about it.

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: D1gger
I would just go with "... sorry, politics don't interest me". There is no upside in getting into a political debate at work.

Ya, just act dumb. It is rare that you will find anyone that will draw negative opinions about you just because you do not follow politics much.

 

[se7en]

Tell them last time you voted it was for Ross Perot.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: se7en
Tell them last time you voted it was for Ross Perot.

hey! :|

but is wasn't the last time

 

[maddogchen]

Just tell them: "don't ask me about politics." and they'll leave you alone.

 

[Mucho]

Don't get into discussing politics at work because next you will be dragged into discussing religion and we all know where that will end.

 

[HammerCurl]

Originally posted by: Chryso
All politicians are lying scumbags regardless of which side they are on.

Except for Arnold!

 

[mugs]

You could tell them you're not American, so you don't follow American politics...

Or you could tell them that you don't discuss politics at work...

 

[Vonkhan]

Thanks guys, I'll go with "sorry, I really don't follow politics but if you want to discuss Jessica Alba ... "

 

[m1ldslide1]

Don't talk about politics, religion, or female coworkers in the office.

 

[mrkun]

Out of curiosity, what country are you from?

 

[Regs]

I would shy away from it as much as possible. I don't even know why they are talking about it. Regardless, politics will always be a part of any business. Though when a individuals position is not influenced by it, then it has no place in the work place.

Since I'm not a senior VP, I really don't care for discussing it.