Friend with conspiracy theories

[DaisyNGO]

I suspect this is something that will sort itself and I think I know what MNers will say....

At the weekend, I had an odd experience with a friend over coffee. She has always been a bit of a conspiracy buff, but you know when you almost think someone's trolling un real life, or just has a different sense of humour?

This time she was very odd, very patronising, asking me if I had heard of things that I think most people would have heard of. She's claiming to be getting into learning to be a survivalist but I'm not sure if that's true.

I suppose the thing that worried me most this weekend was her tone. She didn't say anything new, but talked down to me because I don't have some kind of survivalist plan for my family.

But the background is, we have been friends for ten years and she helps with stuff - she's not the friend who is full of words, she will help in a crisis.

Then I talked to a mutual friend about it and she said "ah, but do you know even my sister believes this sort of thing..."

DP thinks he's got a couple of friends who believe all sorts of things but don't say it....they've tested the water, he told them to shut up, that was it.

My first reaction was to quietly fade out. We are moving next year hopefully, but she is sort of a midpoint between here and there so unless we lie..

Then I thought, it might be temporary? Her father died last year, she nursed him. So a terrible time on top of everything else.

Looking back, last few visits, if the DC aren't around, she turns to some very odd topics.

I probably need to just accept it's not a good friendship don't I? I get DP's point that many people believe weird things but there's a difference between a quiet mention and going on about it? She referred freely to being online all the time now, lookingat this stuff.

Sorry about the length of that waffle

It was actually bugging me in the night. I dread the phone pinging.

Wow people have got the wrong end of the stick over this thread haven't they.

It's fine for people to believe in conspiracy theories (or truth in some cases), the Op clearly said she's accepting of that.

It's her friends attitude that's the problem, unacceptable that the OP doesn't see her point of view. Just because she believes in x,y,z doesn't mean that Op has to as well.

Op her attitude stinks, she's sticking her nose up at you and dumbing you down by laughing and being all high air about it purely because you don't see things or take an interest in what she does. That cash comment is downright bizarre and it's none of her business how you make a payment method. This is the problem with conspiracy theorists pretty much mocking people who don't see their view point and acting as if they are superior because they 'know it all'. 🙄

I believe in a lot of these things too, but I don't try and force my view point on certain topics or dumb people down because they see the world differently to what I do. It's not a case of who is right or who is wrong here, it's the way you treat people about it and accepting everyone's point of view, even if you don't agree with it yourself which is a fine and normal thing for human beings with different brains, thoughts, experiences and awareness to do. Your 'friend' needs to take a step down.

Themadcatparade "Wow people have got the wrong end of the stick over this thread haven't they. "

Thank you, I was thinking some of the responses were weird.

I mentioned mental health because 2 or 3 people I have met who've had far out opinions like this and won't be convinced in spite of evidence to the contrary have had mental health issues. A history of drug abuse has been a feature, too

@themuttsnutts

I mentioned mental health because 2 or 3 people I have met who've had far out opinions like this and won't be convinced in spite of evidence to the contrary have had mental health issues. A history of drug abuse has been a feature, too

I hear that's common, yes.

Yours wasn't a weird response, just in case there's been any confusion.

Just some posters who seem to think it's lack of respect for different points of view.

@DaisyNGO
It’s very complex and I cannot go into it.
In simple terms we keep things light and focus on happy times. We enjoy meals and board games and TV together.

This situation sounds like you have a choice as to how much involvement you have to have with your friend.

Reflect on that, and work out what is the best route forward for yourself and for her.

If there are mental illness issues here you cannot change what she is thinking by you giving alternate opinions. You just can’t - it’s hard for people to understand that.

However, if she is sane, she is entitled to her opinion - but you don’t need to share it, or be affected by it.

Time
Thank you. I am sorry things are so difficult.

I'm feeling "when someone shows you who they are, believe them".

Talking to me then checking DP had seen the leaflets....She wants agreement or she'l be angry, as she said.

I think you just need to tell her that she can believe what she likes, but unless she is prepared to agree to disagree on some things, then you are not prepared to tolerate her getting angry with you.