I don’t talk about politics or religion at the workplace, yet there is a drama queen that loves just blurting out what she thinks to everyone around.
My way to go so far has been to ignore her, but sometimes I just want to yell at her how incoherent she is.
Then I’d be the one starting drama I guess…
I’m looking for advice to deal with these kind of people. I don’t want to work listening to conspiracy theories.
You grow up.
Whole ‘Alt right playbook’ series is great, but this one aligns with your question:
https://youtu.be/yts2F44RqFw?si=i4spe1pMZEYyswrL“Please don’t talk about politics in the workplace. It is unprofessional.”
People like that routinely ignore polite exhortations.
Skill issue
Are you trying to blame the victim here?
I didn’t suggest being polite.
For the discussed situation, you response is so neutered that it verges on transparently hypocritical.
Honestly, just tell her you’d rather not talk about politics. It can be incredibly passive. You do not need to elaborate. You can make up something simple like “I just want to focus on work while I’m at work,” it doesn’t even need to make sense. If she pushes back, drop it, but don’t ever say it’s okay for her to do. Then if she keeps doing it talk to your manager about it. “I’ve talked to her and asked her not to talk about politics, but she insists. I find it distracting.” Again, it doesn’t necessarily need to make sense and it doesn’t need to be over the top. Now,. hopefully your manager will sort it out. Because if it’s annoying you it’s likely annoying others.
This is probably the best and most realistic answer here. Just tell them that you’re here to work and not chitchat. I’ve done a similar thing when asked why I don’t take a break so we (my superior and I) could go on break together. I work less than 6 hours so I’m not legally required to go on a 30 minute break.
Smh at a few of those other comments that read more like someone trying to write bad fanfiction.
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Mind your own business, Sarah. I know it’s you.
ignoring them is the best thing. when you start feeling super annoyed, that’s a good time to take a break & walk away for a few mins.
also, the headphones suggestion is on point.
Well, i mean, based on context, she’s probably dumb, and the opinions match her lack of social grace. There’s that quote about not letting morons drag you down to their level, where they can beat you with experience. You need to work on you selective deafness, or, start using her bullshit for your own amusement. Agree with her in a real backhanded way she’s not sure of, English style.
Oh shit. Are we coworkers? Is it me?
Haha, same thought.
Maybe it will be some consolation for you to remember that you and your coworker have a common adversary: your employer. If you find yourself taking your ignorant coworker’s bait, you can try constructively twisting it or redirecting her complaints against the ownership.
Nah. You’re giving an enemy tools against you.
Not sure what you mean, but pitting enemies against each other is also an option.
If OP bad mouths the company, annoying colleague can snitch on them if they disagree.
I don’t talk about politics or religion
The entirety of polite, modern society lives by this rule
How the actual fuck do Americans just not get it? 😂
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Politicians have made everything political by inserting themselves as a way to get people to stop talking about a subject as a easy way form themselves to stay relevant, as well as controlling the message to their favor.
☝️This is also the exceptionalism where they don’t realise every western country is like this lol
When you figure it out, please let me know.
I work 100% remote, which has made it very easy for me to ignore my coworkers’ bad politics takes because they’re confined to a specific Slack channel
Try to maintain a safe distance of at least 30 m at all times. If you’re stuck with her in the same room, ask lots of work related questions and keep the conversation strictly professional. Dry work stuff only. The more boring the better. As soon as the conversation is about to go off the rails, steer it back.
Someone already mentioned going to HR or talking to your boss, but if you really want to shut it down just call her out on her bullshit. Make her explain her position and ask followup questions until she can’t respond. She’s just parroting some talking head, and you can even make a game out of trying to figure out which one she’s channeling
