taboo conversation subject

Luc_H · #1 08-24-2007, 08:24 AM

My mother always told me to avoid talking about politics, religion and how to raise kids because it's the stuff for arguments. It did not make sense when i was a teen but today as a voting religiously inactive parent I have had my share of heated discussions on various subjects including these.

what subjects are taboo in your book regardless of your views?
these days in Quebec, reasonable accommodation (bending local rules to accommodate foreign immigrant cultures and religion) is becoming a sore subject to discuss rationally.
When traveling in the US, I know gay rights was a very sore subject, in general.

Luc H.

shroomgirl · #2 08-24-2007, 08:39 AM

I have to watch slamming food writers who incorrectly use the word organic....
There is a Religious Coalition of Reproductive Choice office 1/2 floor below my kitchen.....I think they are providing amazing service, by providing all options....but I've gotten into some interesting conversations on the topic.

I cook for a Catholic priest once a week and our new bishop is hard lined and not liked by liberal Catholics.......not being a Catholic I just stay on the perifery of conversations....which is a good thing.

My youngest son has autism, oh man....that's a hot bed......opinions can get really heated concerning medical/educational techniques.

Not being shy nor retiring, my toes end up in my mouth more often than I care for.....that's one of the reasons I like chef friends, conversations don't revolve around those subjects and if one comes up there are no long lasting hard feelings....

Luc_H · #3 08-24-2007, 08:52 AM

Shroom you reminded me of one...

My girl is dyslexic. How many heated arguments have I had with the grandparents on teaching her to read correctly? She's a teen now and they have come to grips with the concept finally after so many years...

(I know autism is a tough thing to deal with...)

allie · #4 08-24-2007, 09:02 AM

Politics and religion are the two topics I avoid like the plague. Along those same lines is the topic of abortion. I have no problem stating my opinion on different subjects but prefer not to argue about it. No one is changing my opinion and I know it's pointless to think I could change theirs so I see arguments on these subjects as a waste of time. Usually, I just avoid these topics or tell people that is something I won't discuss with anyone.

shroomgirl · #5 08-24-2007, 10:34 AM

when emotions override logic.....that's why I'm no longer married to an attorney.

off to finish cleaning out the pantry at work.....

shel · #6 08-24-2007, 10:53 AM

It depends ... for me there are some people with whom I cannot discuss certain things, and other people with whom I can discuss (and even loudly argue) anything.

Shel

phatch · #7 08-24-2007, 11:22 AM

Nothing really taboo. Among my friends and family, politics and religion are often the primary topics of conversation. It can get warm, but never unfriendly or uncaring. Always educational.

Free Rider · #8 08-24-2007, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shroomgirl

My youngest son has autism, oh man....that's a hot bed......opinions can get really heated concerning medical/educational techniques.

A friend of mine has two autistic sons. I would say that rather than heated discussion (must be with your friends, those discussion), people these days tend to ignore a disability. They try to pretend that the person doesn't have a disability at all, like it is, well, taboo. Nobody offers to help a blind person, for example. I saw a blind woman entangled in a set of café tables with her stick. Nobody would help her. They just suddenly quieted and looked away from her each time she walked towards them and bumped into their table.

foodnfoto · #9 08-24-2007, 11:58 AM

Quote:

I saw a blind woman entangled in a set of café tables with her stick. Nobody would help her. They just suddenly quieted and looked away from her each time she walked towards them and bumped into their table.

How chicken **** is that!! It's amazing to me that people are so weak in character as to not have enough sand in their belly to come to the aid of someone obviously needing a simple hand to clear a few tables and chairs.

Sheeeesh!

shroomgirl · #10 08-26-2007, 08:34 AM

Offering to help is just human curtesy.
This blind woman was probably mortified after playing bumper tables through the restaurant.

no free rider with my ex husband....not friends.....

Today, after a couple of years hiatus from working with special needs kids. I'm giving a private cooking class to an 11 year old "on the spectrum"....which is a euphamisum for ADHD-autism with sensory issues thrown in the pot. I've not met this child yet....should be interesting.

And I agree with Phatch & Shel, it depends on who it is......I don't discuss religion nor politics with my evangelistic family there is no common ground and since they are evangelistic it's not only carved in stone but meant to be SHARED.....why even go there? I love um.

I have strong opinions that are backedup with emotions when it comes to bullies in agribusiness. Most of those conversations take all I have to stay focused and factual.....I've been on panels with Monsanto scientists, Bio-engineering faculity at Wash U, etc.....Dept of Ag board with a moderator who was 28 year lifer at Monsanto......

Mezzaluna · #11 08-26-2007, 08:19 PM

I find it much easier as I've aged to be around people whose opinions differ from mine. I've always been respectful, but it used to be pretty easy to push my buttons. I don't rise to the bait nearly so often any longer. I'm still passionate about what I believe in, but I'm not as eager to "get into it" with others- particularly not with those who cannot tolerate others' opinions.

Civility means a lot to me.

Chef Ladybug · #12 08-27-2007, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shel

It depends ... for me there are some people with whom I cannot discuss certain things, and other people with whom I can discuss (and even loudly argue) anything.

Shel

Ditto!

Another taboo subject with Europeans -- death. They'll always hush children for casually mentioning it, every time. To them it's like you're "calling death" when you mention it.

Nicko · #13 08-27-2007, 05:51 PM

Funny we just modified our guidelines here to prohibit religious or political discussion. History has shown that they just get out of hand and it is hard for people to be respectfull.

AndyG · #14 08-27-2007, 05:55 PM

There is a chat site I went to a lot, and when an ARP (America, religion and politics) forum was started, things got ugly. The bad feelings also carried over into the other forums. I don't even go there any more.

chrose · #15 08-28-2007, 11:57 AM

I pretty much find that no conversation is verboten. I used to adhere to not discussing politics, religion etc. But I find you can have good conversations even with people that disagree with you. I find it a challenge to persuade even the most stubborn people that there can be good ideas on both sides and that you can loosen up and see the other sides opinions even if you don't agree. I try to get it to the point where we can agree to disagree and still get along (Regardless of the fact that my neighbor is a parrot to RW radio and can't form an original thought in their head!)