DEAR MISS MANNERS: I, like many others, am a person who prefers to keep her political opinions private. For this reason, I do not like to discuss politics in social situations.
Lately I’ve had quite a few encounters in which a person will say: “Not to get political ...” and then proceed to talk about politics. I will try to discreetly change the subject, but the person is often very determined to stay on the subject he or she brought up.
Normally I would end a political discussion by saying: “I’m sorry, but I really prefer not to discuss politics.” However, in this situation I feel uncomfortable doing that, as that seems to call out the person on his or her earlier assertion that he or she wasn’t going to talk about politics.
How do I politely let them know that I’m not comfortable with that topic of conversation?
GENTLE READER: “As you so wisely said, let’s not discuss politics.”