We’re less than a month away from election day here in America, and it certainly seems like most people are just ready for it to be over. And while all of the political fanfare certainly won’t end abruptly on November 5th, we’ve seen how a politically charged climate can bring out the best and worst in people. Oftentimes it’s the worst side that ends up making headlines, and it should serve as a reminder that we should always strive to be nice to others.
Being nice to others sounds simple, but it’s not always easy, especially if others strongly disagree with views and opinions that you hold dearly. So how can you make it easier to be kind to others during an election year? We share some tips for doing just that in today’s blog.
Kindly Navigating Politics In 2024
As we’ve talked about on the blog before, we treat people of all different backgrounds. We treat the young and the old, skin color doesn’t matter, and neither do your views on religion, so it should come as no surprise that your political stances also don’t impact the care you’ll get from Dr. Silverman. We took an oath to provide the best possible care to every single one of our patients, and that’s what we’re going to do. The last thing anyone should be thinking about right before providing care is whether or not a patient’s political views align with their own.
However, we also know that because we’re being inundated with politics on television, through the mail and on social media that it’s tough to avoid the topic. So if politics does get brought up or you find yourself in a political conversation when you’d rather be anywhere else, how can you navigate the situation with grace? According to the folks at NiceNews.com, here are some tips for being kind to others during an election year:
Practice Humility – Learn to accept that there are a lot of things you may be a little wrong about, and even a couple of things that you may be very wrong about. Come to grips with the idea that you don’t know everything, and that’s ok, because nobody does!
Ask Questions Respectfully – Instead of insulting or getting confrontational with someone you disagree with, seek to learn more about their experiences and what led them to the belief they have. “What life experiences have you had that have led you to feel so strongly about this issue,” or “why do you feel this way” are two great ways to learn more about an issue or at least someone else’s life experiences and thought process.
Leave The Echo Chamber – Don’t just surround yourself with people who all share the same opinions. It’s easy to be nice to those you agree with. Learn to listen to the other side and at least familiarize yourself with their discourse, even if it’s not for you, so that you’re not just always hearing what you want to hear in your own little bubble.
Stay Positive – Instead of getting into a war of words with that one uncle over politics, focus on the bonds you’ve created over happier memories and seek out more enjoyable activities than debating politics when together with family or friends.
Set Boundaries – If you just know you aren’t going to see eye to eye with a friend, family member or patient when it comes to politics, don’t bring it up or set boundaries if they start to wade into those waters. “I’d rather not talk about politics, can we talk about something else,” can help steer the conversation in a different direction.
And finally, researchers concluded by saying that we should remember that we can only control ourselves. If we engage with another, will anything we say add value to the conversation, or will it only likely cause hurt, anger or escalate the conversation to another level? Our words carry weight, and let’s be mindful of how we speak to others leading up to and in the wake of an election.