Originally Posted by panjabi

A long time ago, in a cultural value system long gone, my Father gave me advice on how to interact with strangers. He said, "Never discuss Politics, Sex, Religion or Money" with strangers, colleagues or casual acquaintances. I have found that wisdom to have kept me in great shape as I travel to visit Clients in markets as diverse as San Francisco, Fort Worth, Miami, Lafayette, Boston and so on.

I have been doing business for 20 years and even my long term Clients would be hard pressed to know who I voted for or what my stands are on the social issues of the day. It is a "Nunya" (a lovely Texas word that means "none of your business"). However, this "Nunya" goes BOTH ways (which is where we as a country are in trouble). It means it is none of THEIR business about what my voting record or opinions are and it is NONE of my business to LECTURE them and "educate" them.

I am a business person and my only job is to provide efficient, cost effective, timely and ethical business services to my Clients. I am not their Preacher, Social Guide, Cult Leader or Influencer. My job is to do what I have been hired to do and get along with people of all backgrounds and beliefs

This is where my Dad's advice helps. The only exception is the "money" aspect, because this is America after all, and people will discuss things about how expensive the new iPhone is, which athlete is getting paid how much. Even then, the way I apply my Dad's rule is to make sure that money talk never gets personal, e.g., how much do I make, how much do they make, how much did my watch cost, brand of the car I drive etc.

This is kinda how America used to be in the olden days. When you met people in a bar or a business environment, you ONLY talked about the weather or sports. I respectfully disagree with some of the posters that sports can cause fights. We are not very European in our love of sports. We will disagree loudly (feel free to listen in on Eagle fans talking to Cowboys fans), but fights about sports are something that are broadly rare in our country.

So, sports is a good way to have back and forth banters and light hearted "grief giving" (like when your team is really doing badly in the season...again the Cowboys.. ever since Troy Aikman left... well.. this season may be different)

Politics news channels ABSOLUTELY do not belong in a "public" environment. Absolutely not!! I am surprised anyone thought they make sense when they are GUARANTEED to offend anywhere from 47-53% of your customer base. Political shows should be listened to in your car or at home or on your web browser.

The right approach is to have Sports, Travel or even Cooking shows.

Just my 2 cents, but I will say this (as this topic absolutely struck a chord with me), that when I go to an Admirals Club, where ANY of these news channels is playing (including the ones that back my side), I simply WALK AWAY and sit somewhere far away.

Glad that this has happened in the ORD AAdmirals Club. Hopefully, this trend spreads nationwide and we can go back to NOT talking about politics in our daily business lives.

Warm Regards,

Panjabi