To think telling people to “unfriend” you on social media because of the way you’re voting is immature?

[Retpark101]

This is kind of another election one, but I don’t want to thread to be hijacked into discussing politics, in fact I actually just want people to respect that everyone has their own minds and opinions, they have a right to vote for whoever they want to.

There’s so many political posts on Facebook right now but I’ve seen a couple of people on my friends list post things like “if you’re voting Conservative/Labour/etc tomorrow, please unfriend me” or “delete my number and don’t speak to me again”
AIBU to think this is bloody childish and if you’re a mature adult you accept that people are all different and have the right to their own thoughts? I hate how this election is making people gate each other.

Unless somebody has extreme views then is it really worth breaking friendships for the sake of someone voting the opposite of you?

[Retpark101]

Lots of typos there I’m sorry! *hate not gate

[Pierrettelasanguinaire]

it really worth breaking friendships for the sake of someone voting the opposite of you?

Yes

[Retpark101]

May I ask why? Unless of course they are extreme views, eg racism

[PBo83]

I use Facebook very little these days (partly for this reason) but I agree, it's very petty.

That said, if someone wanted me to 'never speak to them again' because I held different views to them , I don't think I'd mourn the loss of the friendship for too long.

A couple of my closest friends (actual physical ones I spend time with, not 'virtual' friends) have vastly different political opinions to me, we just agree to disagree and not discuss it all that much.

[Stompythedinosaur]

I don't love the inflammatory tone of messages like that, but how someone votes does tell you something about the sort of person they are and what values they have, which is a fairly good reason to stop being friends if it is too objectional.

[areyouafraidofthedark]

I wouldn't lose a friendship over voting for different parties.

[FlashesOfRage]

So fucking tedious isn’t it!

Avoiding FB today. 100% of my friends who are making such posts are very clearly voting for a party I absolutely cannot support in their current state.

It makes me think they are all annoyingly deluded and self righteous but I’m not going to ever say that or talk to them about any of it because it’s personal choice 🤷‍♀️

[CrazyOldBagLady]

Most people bleating away on social media are votingthe same way as me, but there's part of me that hopes we all lose just so I can watch them all self combust. It will be the same here too.

[purpleme12]

I agree it's really sad that people do that.
My best friend is voting for someone I would never vote for. That would be awful if I stopped being her friend for that!

[ShinyGiratina]

I've used the "hide for 30 days" button for several prolific posters recently. I respect political differences, and wouldn't defriend them for it, I just don't want relentless political badgering from any political party.

Political differences are healthy. I hate the way politics has become so polarised and personal.

[Retpark101]

Oh yeah I absolutely have inner thoughts about who certain friends are voting for and I may even ask why (in person, not over Facebook) but I’d never get heated about it or end the friendship.

I agree with a PP though it that if someone is willing to unfriend you over it then they probably aren’t a real loss anyway

[Spudlet]

I would say it partly depends on the party - I don’t think I’d be too impressed with a friend who’d voted BNP, or have much in common with them (using them as an example).

However I have friends and family who vote for all the mainstream parties - some are even members of various parties. (Interestingly, my Tory party member friend says he’s voting Lib Dem this time as he is also a Remainer, which coming from him is a real surprise - he’s been a party member for decades, canvassed for them and everything). I don’t always agree with them on politics but I like them all and I don’t want to lose them over this. Being able to respectfully disagree is part of being a friend when you’re an adult.

And I agree that sticking things like that into social media is so daft, my eyes are strained from the rolling I find myself doing

[TopOftheNaughtyList]

This is why I avoid sharing my political views on social media because some people behave atrociously and can become quite abusive. I have however in the past muted or unfriended someone because they constantly post strong political views and call anyone who disagrees with them selfish/idiots/another-abusive-term. I don't need that on my feed.

[SnorkMaiden81]

Yes, I've seen the same.
'Unfriend me now if you're not voting Labour'
'Never speak to me again if you vote conservative'

Irrespective of my voting tendencies, it's really made me raise an eyebrow about that person. It's a very pitchforky, hyperbolic, immature reaction.

[BlackCatSleeping]

I have a friend who is a pretty ardent Trump supporter. I know a lot of people did unfriend her after the election. I kind of find her posts fascinating though. It’s interesting to me that’s she’s such a kind lovely woman, yet she holds such right-wing views.

I do silently judge my friends who are voting conservative, but no plans to say anything or delete them.

[PBo83]

I can almost guarantee that a fair proportion of those sharing don't even vote. They will have attached themselves to the cause/party which they believe will show them in the best moral light but are generally apathetic.

I can get on board with people of differing opinions but those who share disingenuous 'opinions' merely to gain some perceived 'moral high ground'...they can do one.

[midnightmisssuki]

I have a friend like this. It’s incredibly irritating and I wish she would just shut up! Can’t wait for tomorrow. Urghh.

[SnorkMaiden81]

Oh it won't stop tomorrow. Whatever the result there'll be days of drum banging, outrage, anger and upset yet.

[Antigonads]

It's bloody madness isn't it? My local fb groups are full of heated arguments. I made a comment on something and some silly bint rushed on to accuse me of 'being sarcastic, as usual'. When I pointed out I wasn't being sarcastic she said 'there you go again'. I was completely bemused. Trouble is we are in another fb group together but I feel I cannot forget how she has behaved.

Also I'm meeting friends for lunch on Saturday and I know for a fact that three of them vote differently to me, as they splash it all over social media. Depending on the outcome it could be a very interesting lunch.

Brexit has certainly created huge rifts.

[ChristmasCakeLover]

Yanbu. I'd see that person as an attention seeker and would defriend or unfollow for that behaviour, regardless of how they vote.

[GiveHerHellFromUs]

My sister blocked my DP because my family are all Labour voters and DP and I are voting Conservative and she didn't like what he had to say when my whole family were piling on him about something political. Now he says she's not welcome in our house. Such fun

[SnorkMaiden81]

And actually, the person with all the 'never speak to me again/unfriend me if' posts has her employers on her Facebook, colleagues, trade associates. I cringe for her, actually.

[PineappleDanish]

Totally agree. One of my FB friends is very proud of her very left wing views and posted this morning how cool it was that her 6 year old had left the polling station chanting the jeremy corbyn thing.

Wanted so much to post "cringing so hard for you right now" but didn't. She isn't a stupid woman but completely fails to appreciate that not agreeing with her politics doesn't make you evil.

[Batqueen]

Mostly I have no issues with how other people vote even if they are prolific posters of ideals I fundamentally disagree with.

However, people who have shared constant ‘Britain first’ memes with outright lies even when it’s been politely pointed out to them, anti-vaxxers, Trump supporters who go on about ‘fake news’ or brexit supporters that use the words ‘you lost get over it’ on repeat have been hidden from my timeline or occasionally deleted.

I can tolerate different opinions but have only limited tolerance for outright belligerence, barefaced lies and stupidity

[FruityWidow]

It's pathetic and puts people further into their own silos making it easier for advertiser's to spout propaganda at those echo chambers.