If you hadn’t noticed, the election of Donald Trump has led to some, well, tension in social settings. Weeks after the vote, families gathered for Thanksgiving and the college kids were just too, too appalled by their parents’ deplorable Trumpism to even talk about it. Come Christmas the snowflakes were downright bitter.
Family get-togethers may be one of the rare social settings where people who don’t necessarily share political views nonetheless mix. The office is another, one where political talk might normally be politely tucked away but, following the rise of Donald Trump, has become fraught and seemingly inescapable.
More’s the pity, says “etiquette expert” Sharon Schweitzer. The founder of a consultancy called Protocol & Etiquette Worldwide, Schweitzer has advice for how “to navigate those post-inauguration thorny political discussions.” The advice seemed tailored to the Trump supporters trying not to be outed at cocktail parties. Thus, she suggests you “exercise your right to privacy.” The Scrapbook can just picture the awkward modern moment: What do you do when the seething Hillary supporter who just happens to be your company’s CEO goes on an anti-Trump tirade and invites you to join in the sport? That’s when you could use some “authentic statements in your arsenal,” Schweitzer says. Such as: “After such a contentious election and the inauguration, I’m keeping my opinion to myself. I appreciate your interest and wish you the best in 2017.” Nobody will guess where you stand!
Here are a few more Schweitzer-suggested “Phrases to end a post-inauguration political conversation before it gets heated.” They range from the abrupt (“It’s nice to meet you, enjoy the rest of [event]. Excuse me.”) to the stilted (“Mike, thanks for that post-inauguration update. Sally, as our host you mentioned a best-selling book you were reading. Will you share more please?”) to the non sequitur (“Post-inauguration 2017 will be interesting. Who has spring break plans?”).
Okay—Judith Martin she ain’t. But credit Schweitzer (though she might not describe her efforts this way) with trying to equip Trump supporters with some basic strategies for escaping business affairs where they’re being bullied. You don’t have to take it. Nor do you have to ruin your career prospects. Instead, you can always just look into the middle distance and say to no one in particular, “Who else has seen the new exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum?” Works every time.
