Can you love/be friends with someone who is your polar opposite in political views

[Cherie]

Just been listening to a debate on 5 live about this, some great stories about political arguments over the dinner table, and Granddads not taking their nondriving wives to the polling booth :laugh:and I thought it was very apt for Tibb as it currently seems to be if you don't agree with someone politically then you hate all their other views as well

Personally I am friends with quite a few people on TiBB who I do not share political views with, sometimes I might as I am quite centerist but in the main no.
'
Are you friends in real life or on forums who don't share your political views

[Niamh.]

Depends I guess, if you're really far one way and someone is really far the other I think it would be difficult but I would think I don't lean too far in either direction anyway, probably a little more to the left.

[Livia]

In real life, yes, so long as they are not too extreme.

On the forum, obviously not.

[Alf]

My best mate is a bigger Corbyn supporter than Kizzy. So yes! is the answer.

[Livia]

My best mate is a bigger Corbyn supporter than Kizzy. So yes! is the answer.

One of my mates is a card carrying, flag waving Labour councillor.

[Crimson Dynamo]

my brother is a dyed in the wool champagne socialist (he has electric gates to his main house and his kids go to private school etc) :skull:

and i get on with that old hypocrite fine. The TL is an SNP lefty.

[Liam-]

Disagreeing on policies and belonging to different parties is no issue, not everyone agrees just get on with it, but I couldn’t be friends with someone who doesn’t believe in equal rights for gays or a was racist no

[Kizzy]

My best mate is a bigger Corbyn supporter than Kizzy. So yes! is the answer.

Is that possible? :laugh:

I have friends and family with waaay different views to me.I appreciate that some friendships on here have soured a little and it's in part political I can't lie. It doesn't naturally follow for all the forum though.

[Cal.]

Of course you bloody can imo!

[arista]

Yes
you can be friends
with opposite Politicals

On Moral Grounds

[Oliver_W]

I have no problem with it, but sometimes other gayyos write me off as a prospect for being right wing.

[user104658]

Friends sure so long as you can shelve it when necessary. A relationship?... I think differences of opinion are inevitable but completely different leanings probably indicate much deeper incompatibilities on all sorts of other issues and outlooks on life, IMO.

[caprimint]

For me I could be friends with someone who literally has any views if I like them/enjoy their conversations/company/presence. Being in a relationship is a definite no though because it would annoy me too much.

[Nicky91]

my parents are both towards PVV still (right wing party for freedom)

i'm myself more left, centre left (labour or Greens)

so yeah some clashes here too politically


as for brexit, my parents laugh about that, i was first against uk's brexit, but now not sure anymore, i'm now more in the ''hope Boris can make UK leave with a good deal'' side

[Marsh.]

Yes and no. Same as anything else.

Depends what the difference in views is over. If it's something that affects them directly in their lives I can't see them being compatible as friends anyway.

If it's just political ideals then there's no reason it should affect any friendship unless they're hardcore extreme into their politics.

[Kazanne]

Just been listening to a debate on 5 live about this, some great stories about political arguments over the dinner table, and Granddads not taking their nondriving wives to the polling booth :laugh:and I thought it was very apt for Tibb as it currently seems to be if you don't agree with someone politically then you hate all their other views as well

Personally I am friends with quite a few people on TiBB who I do not share political views with, sometimes I might as I am quite centerist but in the main no.
'
Are you friends in real life or on forums who don't share your political views

Yes Cherie, I have a few friends who are poles apart politically,but we know we have our opinions, and it doesn't make them bad people.

[Denver]

No

[Cherie]

Yes and no. Same as anything else.

Depends what the difference in views is over. If it's something that affects them directly in their lives I can't see them being compatible as friends anyway.

If it's just political ideals then there's no reason it should affect any friendship unless they're hardcore extreme into their politics.

I could see you hiding the car keys so your Tory loving Mrs couldn't get to the polling booth :hehe:

[MTVN]

Imo it's quite unhealthy to only surround yourself with people of the same views - it just makes life an echo chamber where you reinforce each other's views and are never challenged on your own and it makes you more intolerant. I also think its quite arrogant to think your view is so superior that you refuse to associate with someone with a different one

I do think Brexit has polarised things though because whether you're Leave or Remain has almost become part of people's identity in many cases. I still dont see why opposing views can't be respected though. I hold different views on it to most of my friends and family but that doesn't particularly concern me, I just feel a bit awkward when I'm out and about with the Mother and she's got her big 'Stop Brexit' badges on

[Greg!]

I'm so close with my Gran even though I'm pretty sure she votes Tory (or at least used to). I just couldn't see myself getting on with a young tory though, they're ALL very weird people.

[caprimint]

I hold different views on it to most of my friends and family but that doesn't particularly concern me, I just feel a bit awkward when I'm out and about with the Mother and she's got her big 'Stop Brexit' badges on
:joker:

[Denver]

Like I would never be able to spend more then 3 second with a labour supporter

[Vicky.]

Friends possibly, though I would expect much arguing

I could not be in a relationship with someone who was against every one of my political views though. Maybe its possible, IF you never discuss anything beyond crappy tv, but thats unlikely really

[Vicky.]

Imo it's quite unhealthy to only surround yourself with people of the same views - it just makes life an echo chamber where you reinforce each other's views and are never challenged on your own and it makes you more intolerant. I also think its quite arrogant to think your view is so superior that you refuse to associate with someone with a different one

I do think Brexit has polarised things though because whether you're Leave or Remain has almost become part of people's identity in many cases. I still dont see why opposing views can't be respected though. I hold different views on it to most of my friends and family but that doesn't particularly concern me, I just feel a bit awkward when I'm out and about with the Mother and she's got her big 'Stop Brexit' badges on

Massively agree with this, especially the bit in bold.

I might have took this question too literally :hehe:

[Beso]

I'm so close with my Gran even though I'm pretty sure she votes Tory (or at least used to). I just couldn't see myself getting on with a young tory though, they're ALL very weird people.

No.

[montblanc]

in a relationship, absolutely not

i genuinely don't see how that could even work out

[JerseyWins]

Yeah I think so... but I'm pretty central so it'd be unlikely for me to completely disagree and I can also see both sides to some extent pretty easily. My friends/family/coworkers all have varying different political views so that for sure is possible for me to handle. In a relationship, I haven't been with anyone with totally opposite views as me (afaik) but I think that could work too. I'm not forced in my ways either nor do I even care much about what people's political views are compared to how much I enjoy spending time with them. I think more of an issue for me would be loving/befriending someone who's obsessed with talking about politics all the time tbh... it's always bored me and kinda annoyed me. :laugh: But whatever doesn't directly affect our lives on a daily basis wouldn't matter too much to me in all honesty.

[Ammi]

...’polar opposites’..?...it’s hard to say because I don’t have political views that would be polar opposite to any others, I don’t think...so there would always be some common ground...but I’m not sure a relationship or friendship would be sustainable with polar opposite views because those are two extremes with no middle ground ...

[Cherie]

...’polar opposites’..?...it’s hard to say because I don’t have political views that would be polar opposite to any others, I don’t think...so there would always be some common ground...but I’m not sure a relationship or friendship would be sustainable with polar opposite views because those are two extremes with no middle ground ...

You really took polar opposite to the extreme Ammi, obviously being a Labour supporter and a Tory are polar opposite, in my view anyway

I don't think polar opposite means extreme.



A polar opposite is the diametrically opposite point of a circle or sphere. It is mathematically known as an antipodal point, or antipode when referring to the Earth. It is also an idiom often used to describe people and ideas that are opposites.

You could have a middle ground in other parts of your relationships, just not politics maybe?

[thesheriff443]

Labour leader is a terrorist supporter, current prime minister is a liar and a cheat,

I don’t live on the spoon fed bull**** that’s fed to us by politicians from all parties.

You can be friends with any one regardless of their political views.

But anyone can get f you if you p1ss me off.

[Cherie]

Imo it's quite unhealthy to only surround yourself with people of the same views - it just makes life an echo chamber where you reinforce each other's views and are never challenged on your own and it makes you more intolerant. I also think its quite arrogant to think your view is so superior that you refuse to associate with someone with a different one

I do think Brexit has polarised things though because whether you're Leave or Remain has almost become part of people's identity in many cases. I still dont see why opposing views can't be respected though. I hold different views on it to most of my friends and family but that doesn't particularly concern me, I just feel a bit awkward when I'm out and about with the Mother and she's got her big 'Stop Brexit' badges on


:joker:

[caprimint]

Yeah I think so... but I'm pretty central so it'd be unlikely for me to completely disagree and I can also see both sides to some extent pretty easily. My friends/family/coworkers all have varying different political views so that for sure is possible for me to handle. In a relationship, I haven't been with anyone with totally opposite views as me (afaik) but I think that could work too. I'm not forced in my ways either nor do I even care much about what people's political views are compared to how much I enjoy spending time with them. I think more of an issue for me would be loving/befriending someone who's obsessed with talking about politics all the time tbh... it's always bored me and kinda annoyed me. :laugh: But whatever doesn't directly affect our lives on a daily basis wouldn't matter too much to me in all honesty.
:clap1:

This is literally what I meant in my post, I don't care what people's views are but just DON'T BLOODY TALK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME!!!

[joeysteele]

Yes in the main I'd say.
I've cone across loads of married couples who hold different political views.

Married for decades.

Brexit has clouded things greatly.
Everytime I may say something against it, or highlight an issue on it, I immediately get some who voted leave saying, '' oh another whining remoaner''.

Those wanting to leave have moaned for near 3 decades now.

So passions on that issue can get more strained.

I usually can discuss politics in a reasoned way and I've crossed the political divide myself from Conservative up to being 19, then moving to the left of politics from being 21.

However, I have found more entrenched positions now and my hands up again.
My opinions have too.

I will try to take on board alternative opinions and still believe there's always compromise to be had.

Once real unjustified insults or other dubious point making is brought into play, then it would be near impossible for me to retain respect for those individuals.

Also any blatant lie directly put to me.
I won't tolerate lies.
Little fibs they are nothing, a direct lie breaks trust.
On anything not just politics.

As a footnote, I think the written word causes more problems.
You can't get the tone meant or often how it's being said.
In person. You can see and hear when things are getting overheated.
Then stop or defuse it.
If people want to.

I think though, mostly, differing views on politics still doesn't matter as to love or friendships.
Everyone can learn from each other and differing views on many issues.

Politics and politicians affect all our lives, we cannot avoid them not.
So politics will always be divisive.
It's sad to end up falling out over politics but it will and does happen when trust in the argument is gone due to accusations, inferences of a more personal nature or generally, also blatant lies too.

Some politicians do enough deceiving of us all, we don't need to set out to follow that example and deceive each other over politics or religion either.

Maybe after brexit is eventually done, things may improve but I'm not one who shares a view it will sadly.
I fear more strains to come in relationships and opinions too.

[Ammi]

You really took polar opposite to the extreme Ammi, obviously being a Labour supporter and a Tory are polar opposite, in my view anyway

I don't think polar opposite means extreme.



A polar opposite is the diametrically opposite point of a circle or sphere. It is mathematically known as an antipodal point, or antipode when referring to the Earth. It is also an idiom often used to describe people and ideas that are opposites.

You could have a middle ground in other parts of your relationships, just not politics maybe?

Depends I guess, if you're really far one way and someone is really far the other I think it would be difficult but I would think I don't lean too far in either direction anyway, probably a little more to the left.

In real life, yes, so long as they are not too extreme.

On the forum, obviously not.

..:laugh:..I’ll just quote those because they’re more or less what I’ve said as well...as I would probably be considered more centred in my views and mindsets...I really couldn’t say if a relationship or friendships would be sustainable with no common ground of thought process...

[Twosugars]

On the forum no way, as we have only opinions to go by.

In real life maybe if they show some traits that compensate, like being a caring conservative lol

It all depends how far and deep we take politics. Can't imagine being friends with someone who rejects equality, tolerance or fairness for example. But could be friends with someone who has different opinions on say abortion or death penalty

[Withano]

Polar opposite? No? They’re against everything you stand for!

But right and left in general yeh obvs.

[Withano]

, like being a caring conservative

:suspect:

[caprimint]

On the forum no way, as we have only opinions to go by.

In real life maybe if they show some traits that compensate, like being a caring conservative lol

It all depends how far and deep we take politics. Can't imagine being friends with someone who rejects equality, tolerance or fairness for example. But could be friends with someone who has different opinions on say abortion or death penalty
I don't think it's any different if it's on the forum or not, it's still just being able to or not being able to get past people's views. They still have a personality besides those opinions.

There are loads of people I don't agree with on here, whether it's things like reality tv favourites or even political views yet they're some of my favourite members. :shrug:

[Elliot]

depends if they bring it up or let it rule their morals and personality. there are some ppl irl who I've never talked about politics with. i don't care if you're a bit on the right but i prob wouldn't get on with someone who'd turn a day out into a political rant about how much they hate some marginalised group of people

[Elliot]

a lot of my family are right wing, some i get on with, some i don't. my nan is very traditional and holds some pretty obtuse opinions and yet she's one of my favourite people in the world

[Elliot]

Imo it's quite unhealthy to only surround yourself with people of the same views - it just makes life an echo chamber where you reinforce each other's views and are never challenged on your own and it makes you more intolerant. I also think its quite arrogant to think your view is so superior that you refuse to associate with someone with a different one



agree with this mostly, but on the flip side i think its equally unhealthy to surround yourself with combative people of different beliefs and turn every day into a political argument. for a while i lived with family members who were pretty right wing and argumentative, and almost every day some discussion about some current affair devolved into an argument. this sort of stuff has become frustrating to talk about more than anything, because it doesn't feel like you can make a middle ground or see eye to eye at all. I feel like during the absolute chaos that is brexit, a lot of torys hold some pretty ignorant beliefs fuelled by everything but the truth, and whenever you challenge the bs you get accused of being intolerant and not allowing other peoples beliefs. Yet, young left wingers and activists are allowed to be mocked and followed around and accused of being the problem and they see no issue in it. And thats not even acknowledging the homophobic trash who hide behind this same defence, which right wingers champion and in the same token try to use whenever a group of people they don't like displaying homophobia as a ploy to drive the gays into the same blind fury they're gauged in. Trying to reason with the unreasonable is a headache, and somethings i feel guilty for not engaging and challenging these beliefs because they have real life implications and repercussions. Its not just some forum debate for some people, tho i guess its easy to pass that off when you're not even the victim of whats being talked about.

[Livia]

…...I think though, mostly, differing views on politics still doesn't matter as to love or friendships.
Everyone can learn from each other and differing views on many issues....




!

[GoldHeart]

I can't be bothered with arguments about politics. People will always have different views , and you're never going to agree on everything.

But I doubt I'd be best friends with a UKIP or Trump supporter

[Twosugars]

I don't think it's any different if it's on the forum or not, it's still just being able to or not being able to get past people's views. They still have a personality besides those opinions.

There are loads of people I don't agree with on here, whether it's things like reality tv favourites or even political views yet they're some of my favourite members. :shrug:
First, we talking politics not tv favourites. The latter would be silly.
Maybe you think someone's politics is not important. I think it goes to the core of who they are

Let's say someone was charming etc but was an ardent trump supporter, there's no way I could overlook their support of him
But let's say they were broadly centrist and supported conservatives I could be ok with that

[GoldHeart]

First, we talking politics not tv favourites. The latter would be silly.
Maybe you think someone's politics is not important. I think it goes to the core of who they are

Let's say someone was charming etc but was an ardent trump supporter, there's no way I could overlook their support of him
But let's say they were broadly centrist and supported conservatives I could be ok with that

Problem is they'll always be some people who'll randomly say "oh well Trump is getting things done" :bored: or how they think he's "OK" .

And I don't have the patience for that kind of foolery , sometimes it's best not to talk politics I hate it .

[caprimint]

First, we talking politics not tv favourites. The latter would be silly.
Maybe you think someone's politics is not important. I think it goes to the core of who they are

Let's say someone was charming etc but was an ardent trump supporter, there's no way I could overlook their support of him
But let's say they were broadly centrist and supported conservatives I could be ok with that
There are literally some people who do that though :skull: It's just not being able to accept that others have different opinions and are not 'trolling' because it doesn't align with their views.

I guess it depends on the specific person, some people are tolerable for whatever reason and others aren't so much.

[Twosugars]

There are literally some people who do that though :skull: It's just not being able to accept that others have different opinions and are not 'trolling' because it doesn't align with their views.

I guess it depends on the specific person, some people are tolerable for whatever reason and others aren't so much.
What do you mean?

[Moniqua]

no ma'am

[reece(:]

Friends, yes. One of my best friends voted UKIP

Love, never.

[joeysteele]

!

I've Learned from you in the past Livia, on many issues.
There are many instances on here where something you've said or suggested.
I have and still do hold onto and always will.

[Marsh.]

I could see you hiding the car keys so your Tory loving Mrs couldn't get to the polling booth :hehe:

More likely to cut the brakes and pocket some dosh at the same time. :smug:

[armand.kay]

no.

[caprimint]

There are loads of people I don't agree with on here, whether it's things like reality tv favourites or even political views yet they're some of my favourite members. :shrug:
Maybe I disagree with myself now

[JerseyWins]

^ :hehe:

People in my life have always had majorly different political views, lots of both conservatives & liberals. It's not a big deal. Just don't shove politics talks down my throat and we good :joker:

[Oliver_W]

I have no problem with it, but sometimes other gayyos write me off as a prospect for being right wing.

I'm gonna walk this back a bit because I'm not right wing, I'm not anything really, I can't be bothered with it. I have views on individual issues, but don't really "align" with any political side.

But going back to the o/p I could get along with people of any political persuasion, apart from literal nazis or whatever :laugh:

[caprimint]

For me I could be friends with someone who literally has any views if I like them/enjoy their conversations/company/presence. Being in a relationship is a definite no though because it would annoy me too much.
As for this... I was trying to say that I'm fine with someone's views being anything as long as they're not talking about it all the time/don't try to discuss it with me because I couldn't care less

[Kazanne]

As for this... I was trying to say that I'm fine with someone's views being anything as long as they're not talking about it all the time/don't try to discuss it with me because I couldn't care less

I agree with that ,I also think its how people respond to a different opinion that is very telling, as I said earlier in the thread I have many friends who vote differently to me, its the forceful ones that put me off , but luckily I have none in real life, my mom and dad are very much Labour supporters ,I am not ,we just laugh about our differences ,it gets no one anywhere falling out over it.:wavey:

[Tom4784]

It depends on what you class as 'political' issues. Human rights are not up for debate, If you don't believe in equal rights, if you look at the current movement and think all lives matter, if you can't see beyond your own white perspective and think that the LGBT are no longer oppressed, if you don't understand why things remain unequal for women then you are scum in my eyes and you're ultimately unworthy of anything other than my derision.

I'm friends and have had relationships with people who think differently to me on actual political issues but if you oppose human rights or are selective about who gets them then you are dead to me.