Monday, October 8, 2012
Politics One Month To Go: Your Official Election Survival Guide
Posted by Virginia K. Smith on Mon, Oct 8, 2012 at 12:30 PM
Page 6 of 6
A Word On Etiquette
Alright, you've got everything you need to get through the next month as an engaged, educated, sated, voting citizen. But politics are still weird and fraught, socially, and few things in life are more important than learning how not to piss off and alienate the people around you. And so, we come to the most important segment of our guide. Etiquette.
While the grandmotherly wisdom that politics and religion shouldn't be discussed in social settings still holds true, viewing parties are very much a thing, and you have to learn how to navigate this.
First, answer a few questions: Are you registered to vote? Are you alone right now? Are you surrounded by politically like-minded people? Are you surrounded by people of diverse political affiliations? Is anyone paying you specifically for political commentary? Are they paying you well? If you answered 'no' to any of the preceding questions, you are hereby prohibited from attemping to make any jokes whatsoever during viewings of debates or any other election coverage.
Oh, but you say you have a sassy comment on deck about the urine-related implications of trickle-down economics? Let us spare you with the pre-emptive knowledge that no one — no one — wants to hear it. The world needs educated voters, not smug flanks of terrible Jon Stewart impersonators. It will be better for you, better for us, better for America this way.
Follow Virginia K. Smith on Twitter @vksmith.
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