Do you have a good friend or close relative with whom you disagree on a major issue (political, personal, cultural)? What’s the issue, and how do you make the relationship work?
My mom and I are in opposite sides in politics. She loves politics. At 94 years old, she reads two newspapers and watches several news shows every day. Several years ago she suffered an ictus and got paralyzed. But her mind works as fast as ever. Now I have to go to buy her the papers and this is a heroic act of love for her. One of the newspapers is so conservative and monarchist that I never ever would buy it and let people see me with it on the street. The kiosk vender must think I’m schizophrenic when I buy my newspaper and my mom’s. When she talks about politics, which is often, I listen and say little. We both know where we are and know we are not going to change, So why argue? No way. We disagree in many other things, from fashion (she would like to see me better dressed) to soccer (she’s a Real Madrid fan and I’m Barcelona’s) We have a lot of fun together watching matches. Usually we use to connect via whatsApp with all my sisters, nephews and nieces around Spain and Europe when there is a match transmitted in the TV to interchange comments. Usually I’m in minority because almost all are with Real Madrid. It’s really funny.
Back to my mom and me, I only can say that we can live with our disagreement because we love each other very much and our love is stronger than our differences.
I have also close relatives and close friends with whom I disagree in religious matters, but again, the friendship is stronger than the differences. And this would require another post.
But there is no argument because you show respect for another’s opinion. I always have this insane urge to back the opposite view if someone is regaling me with their own strong opinion. I’ve learned to keep my mouth shut. 🙂
I have respect for others and I expect the same respect for my ideals from others. One must to know when is better to say nothing and when is the moment to speak. The key is respect the freedom of the other and defend our own freedom. But as I said, there are friendships stronger than differences of religion or politics. I’m a strong believer and I have several good atheistic friends, and we have had interesting and conversations about God. I’m open to listen to other’s ideas and try to understand them. But I also explain my point of view to them. We know where we are. We have a lot of other things that we can share and we do. We enjoy our friendship.
Mr. Swiss loves politics, Silence is ordered when the news is running on the TV and all political programmes must be watched, you might miss something. I watch it all from a chair whilst reading a book. I think the highlight of the week was when the Swiss government decided to stop supporting the €. I know all about it, although it doesn’t really interest me that much. At least I know what is going on in the world. I only read newspapers online on my iPad and pick out what I want to read.
I read newspapers, news agencies and other sources online and also read newspapers. Above all my old newspaper where I used to work to see what my friends are up to. I’m a journalist and I have been in close contact with politics and I don’t like it at all.
Very similar situation with my own mother I must say. She loves politics and my knowledge on the matter is limited. I think she secretly she has always wished that I share her love of politics. Very interesting read 🙂
Thank you. I don’t know about my mom. She was married with a man who didn’t think like her in politics either and was so in love with him I can’t describe it. I think she likes diversity.