Tips for handling uncomfortable political talk at Thanksgiving
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — Politics coming up at the Thanksgiving dinner table can always be a bit uncomfortable, and that's when we're not coming off of an election that's still being contested.
Kenza Haddock, clinical director at Oceanic Counseling Group in Myrtle Beach, says she's talked to lot of people who are concerned political debates could derail their holiday plans.
"This is a big thing," Haddock said. "A lot of people are stressed out about the dinner conversations that are going to surround politics."
She suggests you shouldn't be afraid, or too proud, to walk away from a conversation that won't be productive.
"People know how their family is going to respond or react, so if someone...knows that a conversation is going to be triggering or cause trouble, it's better to say 'Hey I'd rather not engage in this conversation,'" Haddock said.
Haddock also says we should give people the same amount of respect regardless of whether they share our political opinions.
"People are entitled to their own values," she said. "Display the same level of respect that we expect for ourselves."
