How do people with right-wing views still have loads of friends?

[AmusedTaupePlayer]

Genuine question. There’s a guy at work who’s openly right-wing—thinks Brexit was great, doesn’t care about immigrants, women’s rights, gay or disabled people, constantly posts pro-Trump, Reform UK, and even likes Andrew and Tristan Tate. His dad’s the same, his mum is obsessed with “Britishness”. Basically, the full red-flag package.
Yet... he’s well-liked at work, always invited to drinks and group holidays. People act like he’s totally harmless. How?! I don’t get how someone with views that are basically hostile to entire groups of people can still be so socially accepted. Why don’t people care? He isn't actually shy about them... he openly declares them.

Same answer as why are bullies/bitchy people have loads of friends, it’s less about views and more about how entertaining someone is to be around.

This!

I also have another theory: you accept your friends warts and all. In the words of Renton from Trainspotting about Begbie "He's a mate. What can you do?" (Although my theory does fall down when someone with obnoxious opinions gets new friends.)

Do you think he should be ostracized? Perhaps he shouldn't be promoted because of his political beliefs?

Are you only "tolerant" of left wing views? Do you get to decide what is acceptable for people to like and dislike?

😂

I wonder how people with far left opinions have loads of friends. Some of them are utterly insufferable.

And no returning to them after posting. 🤔

😆

Also, is he rich @AmusedTaupePlayer And do you wonder how and why?

Again?

As someone who has been on the left and a party member for most of my life I find it very telling that your concept of right/left is largely Brexit and Identity Politics, neither of which are left/right spectrum.

You seem to be confusing your political axes.

People are allowed views unless those views mean they do something that breaks the law. In fact if you are very much on the left and especially liberal minded and like freedom of speech surely you know that’s really one of the mainstays of being on the left.

How pathetic is this post. Honestly, at the risk of sounding immature - get a life

Haha exactly

I find extremely left wing people often humourless and far too serious. Not exactly the most popular kind of person

I'm not surprised. Where are you meeting political extremists?

Yep, same here.

I have extremely different views to one of my closest friends, you don't have to agree with everyone,you know?

I would also draw a line at Tate !

Different views is fine but extreme right wing racism is not.

I think extreme left or right people are annoying and I am uncomfortable around either. I would also caution OP to not take this person seriously, some people enjoy winding up anyone with views on things. I am sure if you dug a bit deeper, he probably doesn't care as much as you think and just enjoys the attention. He is probably liked because he brings the drama.

When you have to say "genuinely" on both posts it tends to give the opposite impression...

It’s funny you say that, because of the rise of the Far Right now meaning anyone who is right of centre got me confused in thinking all these political extremists walk amongst us. My bad!

Extreme left wing is just as bad

The fact that you think people should ostracise him shows that the far left are just as bad as the far right.

People are allowed their own political views regardless of whether or not you agree with them. This man is free to express his opinions, he doesn’t seem to be stirring up hate or inciting violence so just let him be. People obviously like him whether it be because of or in spite of his views and that is their choice, not yours.

I somehow don’t think we are going to get any answers from the op……

From my experience, the hardest people to be friends with are Left-wing artistic types. Chronically unreliable, terrible communicators, and only able to talk about themselves.

Oh look a goady new poster. I'm sure they're here in good faith Tilts head.