Yes, I do pay attention and try to assess what a person is like partly based on their political stands. Even when those subjects don't come up in a conversation, a person can often tell what another person thinks for example about the US occupation of Iraq, by the way they talk or react to situations during a date. At times I will try to draw out my date on those situations.
Good for you Paul. I'm sure you're in a minority on this but it just shows that most people are only thinking of getting into bed quickly and of course raising this sort of question is not advised if that is your goal..in fact a good way to ensure it won't happen or at least not soon....
I'm not surprised that the only reply for a woman is to use a four letter word on the whole issue. Most US women are bubbleheads and don't want anything to get in their way...or would look dumb answering - 4 months ago
Absolutely. I love hearing her opinion on different issues, regardless of whether I agree with her. The only question for my is whether we can enjoy the discourse and respect each others opinions without offending or being offended. Apathy is boring. Give me some passion!
Once you can get over the chemistry and personality aspect of it then you can get into Politics and Social questions. sometimes you can just overlook the differences. Of course sometimes you can't but usually that will come up early on in other areas.
A person's opinions on society and politics will often give insight into their personality, as well as how the two people will mesh together (chemistry). If you hate everything they say and how they say it, the relationship just isn't going to work. If what they say and how they say it fascinates you, that's a good thing. - 3 months ago
Answerer
That may be... but more than likely that is gonna come up early on in a relationship. I personally have never been with someone and when I find more about their political ideals think oh my god I can't stand this person. I know plenty of people that are together that have differing wants politically but are happy together and would rather be happy together and have to overlook political differences than be apart from one another. - 3 months ago
Absolutely. I'm all for different ideas and a sharp woman is sexy. But it would be very hard to continue to see someone who had extreme views - or think about anything long term.
Heck yes its important! Its a accurate indicator of how compatable you will be with that person. If I find out that my date is an america hating, neo marxist, hybrid driving, military bashing, global warming believing, bush hating, drug using, roe v wade supporting, open boarder supporting, church bashing, war protesting, terrorist supporting, obama loving hippie, living in a wind and solar powered house, and thinks 9/11 was an inside job, I'm sorry I can't hang with them! But if I am with them long enough, maybe I can change their ways! I'm a former republican, but now a proud member of the nationalist party, it doesn't officially exist yet but maybe one day it will! Boarders, language, culture.
DAMN, you're straight republican... Well, I live in San Francisco so naturally I disagree with most... everything.... that you just said! Open Mindedness Rocks! By the way I'm not hating your political outlooks, their your choice and I also agree with you that "Its a accurate indicator of how compatable you will be with that person" - 4 months ago
I think that on a first date, it would be a bad idea.
I do think it's important to discuss; But like I said, not on a first date.
I would think that the more two people agree on something, the more connected they might feel.
However, while I don't think it would work with a staunch liberal, I'd at least be willing to hear them out, and as long as they are as respectful to me as I am to them, things will go a lot better.
Same with friendship. I have a lot of friends who don't agree with me on moral or religious issues as well as politics and a million other things. But it can work, as long as the relationship is built on trust and respect.
If the relationship is not built on these foundations, I could agree 100% with a person politically, but personally want to throttle them. I've got former friends who are like that. I don't trust them because they're untrustworthy, and yet I would agree politically; though I wouldn't trust their justifications or political beliefs. But I digress.
Going back to politics, these friendships work because these people respect me, and they're not always bringing it up so that they can dig in with the insults. I think they've got great character, and are really genuine people, and I'd like to think they think the same of me; they have respect because while I may not be a big follower of politics, I can still give good reasons why I will vote the way I do. I just disagree with their political stances and some of the justifications for those opinions.
These friends can also keep the debate intelligent and not get into personal insults.
I had a bunch of other "friends" however, who do the opposite. They always bring in every opportunity to knock the republicans and my religious beliefs as much as they can. And it's insulting, nasty, and it gets really old really fast. I just can't hang out with these guys. Not so much because they disagree with me politically, but it's because of how they handle it, and how they treat me.
A lot of the more successful relationships are based on mutual respect and love. Politics and other "hot button" issues have to be handled the same way.
yes I do, cause well its important we get on together on these things, cause how are we going to raise children if we don't have an understanding on what social ways we teach them to live. I think I'm messed up in my answer but yes
Yes. Although I'm a very political type of person, could make or break things to me. Although, as I said I take certain beliefs very seriously. Most others of the 2/3rd's of society probably aren't as picky as I.
I pay attention to anything my date says, a long as it is not rhetoric, and she is informed about it. Sometimes, being a man, it is hard to catch the point of what she is saying, since I get involved in trying to figure out how it all fits together, while she may not get to the point until close to the end of the conversation. That is just one of the challenges that make relationships worth the investment, though.
Yeah! That way you get to know the other someone better. Besides, I love when there is a good argument going on beteen two people in a civilized way. It strenghtens the bonds between them two =]
when a woman start talking about politicians on a date, I know she has no interest in me as a person. you want to talk about politics? run for office, you want romance, be in the moment! THEY DONT MIX!
Aw, you already picked best answer. What a great questions Akiko.
As you probably know it's generally considered a faux pas for a man to bring up such subjects especially on a first date. I guess the likely disagreement that would result means no sex afterward, so guys are supposed to avoid it.
For some reason it's OK for women to bring it up, but most of the time just bringing up such subjects will get a frosty no-comment from women most of the time, I have found. But it seems that it's OK for women to grill us on such things. They do that fairly frequently, although there is still an unspoken idea that most guys will find that a turn off and the woman is risking no second date.
There is a long way to go before the dating rules are really equal, I'm afraid. It's like men are supposed to have ideas about such things but for women, often, it would be 'unfemine' to have opinions.
I think to an extent it would be improtant on a first date. I think what you belive when it comes to politics says a lot about you.
Hardcore conservatives and and close minded people are a no-go for me, and I live in Oklahoma lol a major conservative republican state. People are entitled to their views.
I might not reserve political or social topics for a romantic date (especially if we have polar opposite views). But I certainly don't mind an intelligent conversation with whomever I'm dating. Though if a question would come up during a date, it's not like I would get upset and not want to talk about it.
