(Podcast length 5:30 mins - transcript is below)
Keeping conversations interesting and drama-free with these six tips. Because don't we have enough drama already?
Transcript
1. Keep calm. When you start to feel your blood pressure rise, remind yourself that for many people, talking politics is a lot like trash talking an opponent during a big game. The bluster is designed with the sole intent to get a reaction out of the other person. Did you know a lot of professional athletes practice meditation to reduce stress and increase focus? Retired New York Yankees shortstop and now Miami Marlins (Major League Baseball) CEO Derek Jeter is among the many top performers who have touted the benefits.
2. Exit gracefully. Unlike the final minutes of a close playoff game, there’s no need to stay to the end of every conversation. Sometimes a polite excuse can help you exit stage left with ease. Never be afraid to use, “I’m going to grab a drink refill,” A friend I am meeting with just walked in,” or, “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to hit the ladies’ room.”
3. Substitute controversies. Sometimes people are simply in the mood for a debate. If you can’t steer the conversation back to friendly ground, aim for a debate that’s less contentious. So, what do you think of Tom Brady? Everyone has an opinion about Tom, whether it’s his strict diet that keeps him basically ageless, his record number of Super Bowl wins or his move to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
4. Pivot. Unlike Ross in the classic “Friends” episode, pivoting is a move we all perfected in quarantine. (Be honest. How many times have you used COVID as an excuse to skip going out to dinner with someone?) It’s time to use our ability to change course on a dime in conversation. “Oh, hey, I almost forgot to ask you about…”
5. Diffuse the tension. If you simply can’t deflect or change the subject and you can’t exit from the conversation, bring up something that might be a little less heated. It might go something like this: “While we’re going to have to disagree on politics, let me ask you about something else controversial. Is pineapple an appropriate pizza topping?”
6. Vote. A good way to side-step a debate is to remind people about the importance of casting a ballot. So, when conversations start to get heated, try responding with, “It sure is a contentious campaign season. Did you see that people in L.A. are going to be able to vote at Dodger’s Stadium?” In fact, more than 60 professional and collegiate sporting facilities were polling places. Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James founded a nonprofit called More Than a Vote that is working with the NFL (National Football League), NBA (National Basketball Association) and NHL (National Hockey League) to turn more stadiums and arenas into polling locations. Wouldn’t it be cool if you could vote on the diamond or at center court at your favorite team’s stadium?
Sports Curious presented by Last Night's Game, is here to take the awkward out of conversation and help you join the sports conversation, even if you don't know the first thing about sports. We breakdown what's happening in sports in an easy to understand, fun way without all of the statistics and jargon so you never have to exit stage left when the chatter at the office, dinner table or a networking event switches to sports.
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