I spent the last 5 days with two guys that describe themselves as “bleeding democrats.” We worked together during the day then went for drinks at the hotel bar at night. We discussed many topics ranging from work problems, funny stories from the past, and of course, politics.

Given that these two guys are registered Democrats and very pro Obama they were speaking very highly of him and poking fun at McCain. I am an independent and don’t know who I am going to vote for but I was still able to have very healthy conversations with them for the entire week. I was pleasantly surprised at how well they handled me not being on their “team” and respecting what I had to say. Here are the tips I got from the conversations on how to act on both sides:

• Do feel free to express your thoughts. It is a discussion.
• Do listen to what people have to say. Again, it is a discussion.
• Ask questions when someone makes a point that you don’t agree with or understand but make sure you ask it in a non-threatening way.
• Stay calm.
• If you are speaking with someone that knows what they are talking about, pick their brain. In this situation they are most likely more than happy to talk about it.

In the past I have had political conversations with people that turn into arguments instead. Here are my thoughts on the wrong way to do it.

• Belittle someone for having an oppinion that differs from yours.
• Laugh at a point they make.
• Yell.
• Cut them off mid-sentence.
• Don’t listen.
• Speak about things you know nothing or very little about and act like your word is the law.

These are all things that I thought people learned in kindergarten but apparently I was wrong. My mom was right, I am smarter than all the other kids.