Growing up, politics wasn’t discussed.
We were told that there are two things you never ask someone:
1. How much money do you make?
2. Who did you vote for?
The explanation was that those are rude questions.
I get that. As an adult, I would be offended if someone asked how much money I made. It’s public information, but it’s not something that I’m going to discuss with anyone. In my profession, that discussion would probably lead me to try to justify my salary. Not productive. It’s the kind of question that I can’t imagine anyone asking of anyone else.
The second question seems to be something that is acceptable to ask. I have to say, I don’t feel comfortable with it. I don’t mind discussing political issues and it wouldn’t be difficult for anyone to determine who I voted for in any election. But, still, asking who I voted for seems to be going just one step further. The way I fill in my mail-in ballot is my business. To me, it’s kind of like sex. It’s obvious that I’m a straight woman, and I don’t have a problem discussing sex in general, but I’m not going to talk about the specifics of what happens behind the bedroom door.
Ask me how I feel about health care, education, the recession, etc. Just don’t ask me who I voted for.
(Part of the Wednesday Carnival)
