7 conversation topics that can cause confrontations

It is tremendously positive to belong to groups in which we feel integrated and can have conversations about a wide variety of topics: it is a symptom of good communication health between friends, co-workers and within the family itself. But It is as important to be able to talk about everything as it is to know with whom, in what situation and to what extent we can delve into the different topics of conversation. with a person.

There are certain topics that are not recommended at all in certain groups or environments. Identifying these topics and avoiding them as much as possible is one of the best signs of social intelligence. If we are not going to solve anything, provoking a conflict that produces a bad environment is not the best idea. The writer Eugenia Orge exposed in an article some topics of conversation that should never be discussed in a meeting.

We are going to try to go further, avoid the reductionism of communication by applying the logic of the convenience of talking about a certain topic, the way to approach it and how to redirect the topics of conversation to another issue if a climate of tension finally appears.

1. Politics

Politics can be the queen of all sauces, because currently new technologies have brought the political debate into our lives with greater intensity. Something quite positive as it indicates freedom of expression, but on the other hand it can lead to misunderstandings.

The ideal thing when we discuss a political issue is to speak in a general way, empathizing with the situation and the point of view of the other, getting involved in the conversation by providing data or possible solutions for improvement without this implying that we have to say who we vote for.

When talking about politics, the important thing is to know how to handle well the fine thread that separates communication from attack. When a conversation of this type stops being constructive and interesting, it is better to change gears. A recommendation is to speak from a plural mind and without trying to impose our criteria on anyone. When a political debate turns into an ideological imposition, enrichment disappears. Clinging to a single idea and defending it to the hilt prevents us from being able to listen to other interesting proposals.

2. Religion

If the political issue touches sensitivities and identities, this issue goes even further. Some people currently consider the Great Religions unnecessary for coexistence between people, others respect them without them being present in the public domain and for many others religion and its representatives are spiritual guides that make their lives more fulfilling.

In principle, religion can be treated as one of the topics of conversation, but if the conversation becomes entrenched and becomes too entrenched a debate (religion in school yes or no); We are entering delicate territory for an informal meeting. In that case, it is better that people who are interested in religion and want to continue dealing with it do so in a more private way.

Religion is a subject as subjective as it is personal. Those who believe that religions are unnecessary may try to impose their ideas on those whose religious beliefs are deeply held. However, religion, far from being an enemy, can provide very profound knowledge of human beings. Perhaps approaches that we had not considered beforehand. As with politics, the ideal is to keep an open mind without attacking what is not known.

3. Marriage and motherhood

Talking about marriage or motherhood doesn’t have to be controversial. However, some people may feel uncomfortable because they are going through a relationship crisis or who simply feel pressured by these types of conversations that exert unnecessary social pressure on an absolutely intimate issue.

We can talk about marriage and motherhood but without turning it into a “monotheme” and avoiding publicly asking too specific questions. especially related to motherhood. Let us not forget, for example, fertility problems (male and female) or repeated spontaneous abortions. Empathy is sometimes based on aspects as basic as discretion and communication relevance.

Both marriage and motherhood are voluntary topics and sometimes, well-intentioned family and friends err in their insistence. Questions like, When are you going home to us? When are you going to have children?, can saturate the couple. Life is not a shopping list. Getting married is an option and so is having children. Therefore, pressing this issue can sometimes be a bit uncomfortable.

4. Pets

For many, pets are part of the family. For others, a sign that the house cannot be clean with a pet and that many people denote a lack of empathy for a guest who does not like animals.

Pets are a topic that is best not to talk about if we have not previously explored whether or not they have our interlocutors. As we have seen, there are opinions for all tastes with their specific reasons, so there is no point in implementing a criterion that will only serve us.

5. Homosexuality

Although it may seem like a completely normalized and outdated topic in a democratic society, this topic still generates controversy. We must not forget that In some countries homophobia is very present and many think that it is a deviant sexual behavior that should not be “encouraged.”

Being clear that any homophobic attitude or comment is out of place, we must assume that topics such as marriage or homoparental adoption can generate controversy depending on the social, ideological or religious prism from which we look. If attitudes that are too reticent are identified, it is better not to discuss these aspects because it may end up being a debate that contributes nothing.just discomfort and annoyance.

6. Abortion

For some, abortion is a woman’s right to decide when and how to become a mother or under what terms to resolve a complicated pregnancy. It would be a matter of public health and an intimate decision of the woman.

For others, an immoral act that should not be allowed even if the woman suffered a rape or had medical problems during the pregnancy. Opinions vary on this issue as do the opinions of the same countries: from Holland, which considers it a right beyond any discussion, to countries like El Salvador where a woman can go to jail (even if it is a spontaneous abortion). ).

So With abortion, it is not about being hypocritical but neither is it about entering into discussion, since it is one of the issues in which no one knows what they will do until they see themselves in the situation. Better to debate it with this point clear than to feel attacked.

7. Genetic manipulation

Research with embryos already exists in the scientific world, in fact two weeks ago the British Parliament approved experimentation of this type, although it had already been done in a not completely official way.

For some, genetic manipulation is an enormous advance that will reduce the suffering from illness of many people; For others it is unacceptable. well They consider that the embryo is already human and has a soul. A debate for a meeting? It’s worth thinking twice.

What types of conversation topics have you encountered conflicts with?

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