Keeping political views private

[Coffeeneedednowplease]

Where do you stand on this?

I was brought up to believe that you don't discuss your political opinions with people you don't know very well. In terms of which party you're citing for.

Personal choice. I'd rather not say, I think it's private but plenty of others are happy to share. Each to their own. I'd never ask though.

Same. I think it's really rude when people ask who I'm voting for. Voting booths are private for a reason.

Personal choice. I would never ask anyone who they vote for but if someone wants to discuss it that’s fine.

I keep my political views private so I don't have to listen to the insufferable Labour voters who think we're going to live in utopia from Friday onwards.

They're so intolerant of anyone who doesn't side with them. Just look at the threads all over this site for an example.

I don't tend to ask but happy to share if someone asks me. I have nothing to be embarrassed about, unlike shy Tories.

I was brought up to believe that you don't discuss your political opinions with people you don't know very well.

Why though? I mean, if people want to keep their views quiet, then they can. I don't see any reason why they should feel they have to though.

I keep my views private as I'm a civil servant and I take the political neutrality bit seriously. My husband doesn't know who I vote for!

The list of topics I steer clear of in conversation grows longer by the day.

My friends and I don’t discuss politics or religion explicitly, but it’s fairly obvious from general conversation where their sympathies (and mine, I assume) lie.

The corrupt tories have brought this country to its knees. Anything is an improvement.

My family were very much of the "don't ask, don't tell" train of thought, to the point I never knew how any of them voted. However I'm pretty open about it, my kids know my views as we talk about politics a lot and I'll happily tell someone if they ask even if they do end up screaming in my face as once happened 🙄

I think secret ballots are a very important part of democracy and so I'd never tell anyone or ask anyone who they were voting for. Like a PP, I'm also bound by rules of impartiality during the pre-election period so I am very careful with what I say. I'm happy to discuss politics though in more general terms.

Don't be surprised if Kier isn't much better

No body thinks this though.

@AllProperTeaIsTheft I suppose just because it can be quite heated and cause conflict. I was always told your vote is private and between you and your ballot paper. Obvs this is not including people in your own household.

I never dicuss politics with friends or family - that's usually a sure fire way to arguments.

I agree with this.

I don't say who I've voted for. Don't know who partner votes for either.

Happy to discuss politics in general terms with these who want to but wouldn't bring it up.

@zebedeehadapoint come back in 2 years and see how wrong you can be.

Agreed. Personally, it’s people on the left I know that always seem to want a discussion/argument/debate. I’ve no interest in debating politics with anyone in real life, people are just too binary and get too angry.

I block/unfollow anyone who brings politics to social media too. No interested in hearing rants

I was at a conference dinner once. Two guys getting on fine. Then started discussing religion.

By the end of it there was fireworks.

Really religion and politics are generally kept best to yourself. And if you go on any sales course they will tell you to avoid with customers because there is zero benefit generally to discussing them and they can be very divisive subjects.

People can go from getting on fine to a heated angry argument in the space of a few minutes on these sorts of topics.

I don’t discuss politics or religion as a rule and particularly not amongst friends and family

I'm happy to talk about my own views but would never ask others theirs - especially living in NI where it's very much not the done thing!

Interesting reading the replies.

But yes I was brought up not to discuss religion or politics too.

Fil is very vocal about his views and has often voiced his beliefs at the dinner table and tbh it's made me take a dislike to him.

I discuss politics a lot because I am interested but I wouldn't directly ask someone who they were voting for as I think it could make some people uncomfortable.

I would agree that there is no benefit to talking about it.

That's why I think it's best kept to yourself unless you know the people really well and are likely to share beliefs.