NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm wondering if there are certain subjects that are best not discussed in polite company.

If so, what do you think they are? Are there cultural distinctions as to what is unacceptable to speak about?

If someone brings up a subject that is impolite, what are you supposed to do?

bowel movements are one no-no topic. i'm guessing that kinda goes without saying though (i hope). what do you do? join in whole-heartedly with waay too much information and try to freak them out *nods*

i prefer no discussion of disgusting personal problems.

im not happy with evangelism

i dont like talking about money.

I've found "so, do you like to be tied up" on first dates to either be wildly successful, or wildly unsuccessful, with very little middle ground *nods*

Size of turds is a no-no for me, I have been through it, and found it displeasant.

By 'Polite' company, I assume a situation where one should be 'non-confrontational'?

My mother always told me to be careful when talking about politics and religion in mixed company. For example, talking about how Obama is an idiot at the PTA meeting will most likely turn some heads. Likewise for saying the same thing about McCain. It's just going to piss somebody off.

My dad always told me to never scream "Notre Dame Sucks" in a room full of catholics. But that one's just too much fun to pass up.

As far as cultural considerations go...I dunno. You could say that cultural considerations are present for anything, including conversation. You might not want to scream "Tiananmen Square!" in a chinese airport, for example. Someone might find that rude.

I'm a pretty non-confrontational type myself, so if I find myself in a situation where I don't want to talk to someone about something, I either 1) smile and give a 'do-you-actually believe-I'm-listening-to-you' look, and then (quickly) make up an excuse to leave and not answer; or 2) just flat-out say "I don't really want to talk about that".

I'm wondering if there are certain subjects that are best not discussed in polite company. People don't like discussing religion with me.

Money. Sex. Anything often termed "bathroom humor". Medical stuff. Religion. Politics.

Pretty much anything sexual or sickening. :p

Beastiallic necrophilia. I'm not going to say it's a total no-no but it should be ventured with caution.

In reverse order of inappropriateness: Sexual fetishes, politics, religion.

The names of your teddy bears.

If someone does start talking about theirs, be quick to alert the proper authorities.

For me religion and politics are a big no no.

For me religion and politics are a big no no.

Religion doesn't even come into it with me. Debating religion is even more pointless than going to an orgy without a sexual organ. :p

I'm wondering if there are certain subjects that are best not discussed in polite company.

Like my dad said, you don't talk about religion or politics in family gathering, because those will provoke some heated arguments.

If so, what do you think they are? Are there cultural distinctions as to what is unacceptable to speak about?

I'm sure there is. I'm sure what we talk about here in the USA, they wouldn't dare talk about in a more conservative country like Saudi Arabia.

If someone brings up a subject that is impolite, what are you supposed to do?

I egg them on. :D

I've found "so, do you like to be tied up" on first dates to either be wildly successful, or wildly unsuccessful, with very little middle ground *nods*

I'm guessing the unsuccessful portion is MUCH bigger than the successful portion.

I've found "so, do you like to be tied up" on first dates to either be wildly successful, or wildly unsuccessful, with very little middle ground *nods*

I like you.:fluffle:

I'm guessing the unsuccessful portion is MUCH bigger than the successful portion.

You might be surprised.

On the original topic, I can't think of anything offhand that I would refuse to discuss in polite company, but there are plenty of things I wouldn't personally bring up - essentially, anything that I have reason to believe the other person(s) present might find disgusting, disturbing, depressing, or irritating.

You might be surprised.

Well it's the way he phrased that question. Because you don't know if he means tied up as in BDSM or tied up as in I'm going to kidnap your ass.

You mean people actually don't talk about that kind of thing in polite company? Man, that explains a lot.

You mean people actually don't talk about that kind of thing in polite company? Man, that explains a lot.You're out of the loop. :D

I don't hang out in polite company :P

Beastiallic necrophilia. I'm not going to say it's a total no-no but it should be ventured with caution.
Even then, it depends on the situation; in a dungeon & dragon game, for instance, it might be nothing worst than mildly entertaining...

I've found "so, do you like to be tied up" on first dates to either be wildly successful, or wildly unsuccessful, with very little middle ground *nods*

I suppose it depends on the company you keep. ;)

I was brought up not discussing the following in polite conversation: lengthy personal anecdotes, sex, personal relationships, gruesome tales, finances, religious preferences and political leanings. I was also taught that it was always extremely rude to whisper, particularly when the purpose is to exclude present company.

Size of turds is a no-no for me, I have been through it, and found it displeasant.
I don't know if I can do this story justice, but I'll try...

There I was ... (All sea stories start this way) ... sitting on the can about two months into a six month deployment. I finished my business and started to leave when I saw the C.O. walk in and sit down. He sits down in the stall that I had been using -- right next to a squadron pal that was especially talkative in the head. Men's etiquette is that you sit there quietly until done, but not this guy. Oh yeah, he had a pretty distinctive voice, too.

We had been talking and I guess he didn't notice that his audience had change. The Skipper was not one of those that was at his oratorical best while taking a dump, but that didn't stop my colleague from launching into a monologue about the turd that he'd just excreted.

I just stood there ... I couldn't laugh, or the show would probably end. I bit my lip and almost cried while I listed to my pal talk about the consistency and the size of the piece of shit in the bowl. Meanwhile the Skipper was probably beside himself with embarrassment.

I finally left. The C.O. left. My pal left. I cornered my buddy in the ready room and told him what he had just done. He got just a little pale. The Skipper walks in and doesn't say anything. We brief our flight, but just before we walk out the door, the Skipper says to my pal, G---, you've just earned a new callsign. We're going to call you Steamer from now on.

Polite company is boring.

There are no inappropriate questions, only inappropriate answers.

That said, there's not much I won't talk about - however, there's stuff that's personal and does not belong in a public conversation.


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/MULE.gif
25 years

Basically anything that is discussed on nationstates general is not suited for polite conversation

Politics, religion, latest sexual conquest (or "aye so I had a wank")

Polite company is boring.Everything is "boring".
I've noticed a growing tendency among my classmates in this recent SY. Their default response to a question about their general well-being, or state of existence, is responded to with the answer, "I'm bored."
Is that bad? o_0

Genital Warts.

But to be serious, I would say there are two things you don't talk about reigion and politics. There mat be a lot of things you don't talk about and depends on who the polite company is but then I don't mind getting into a heated discussion I once got into a long debate at a dinner once over Nuclear power with the fiance of my now ex-boss.

I think another thing not to talk about is how much money you make per year.

I think that one should avoid superficiality, deliberately offending or attacking anyone, making sweeping generalisations (some people do not enjoy mind games) and basically sounding close-minded or egocentric.
The topics tend to work themselves out. It's a bit like dancing - you synchopate in rythm. Look at their eyes. Are they looking bored or interested? If bored, change the topic or shut the hell up.

With me, anything goes in conversation. It won't offend me at least, I might lose interest and that's about it.

But asking what offends people at large is kind of a redundant question.

With me, anything goes in conversation. It won't offend me at least, I might lose interest and that's about it.

But asking what offends people at large is kind of a redundant question.

How's it redundant?

I don't think there are any topics that are strictly off limits provided you do not express an opinion that leans one way or another.

For example

a muslim and an christian could potentially discuss what their religions demand of them and what kind of life they lead. I think that would be acceptable. However, criticising each other's religion or turning it into debate would be a no no.

That said, I don't like being asked about personal finances. Thats like being interrogated.

I would say pretty much everything we discuss on NSG would be bad to bring up in "polite company" on the ground that it is all either belligerently confrontational, grossly vulgar, entirely self-centered, or so geeky it makes baby animals point and laugh.

Btw, I define "polite company" as a group of people you neither know nor like but for some reason have to be polite to. I don't go looking for that kind company.

it really depends on the company.

So there are friends with whom I can discuss anything (more or less... and sometimes only to see them squirm) then colleagues where many subjects are either off limits or only mentioned with no details or in jest (i.e. drugs, sex might be joked about... personal experiences with either of these not so much) and there are strangers who I need to be polite to where I pretty much don't discuss anything that could possibly be controversial.


Of course there are things I don't discuss much (or try to avoid) just because it always gets involved, for instance, I rarely discuss my vegetarianism unless it's relevant, it isn't something that's offensive (well, mostly not anyways) but I usually end up having to explain why and I'm tired of this discussion. And I don't really enjoy discussing religion because it can get too involved.

There certainly are cultural differences. The biggest one I notice living here in Japan is that bodily functions are not so taboo. Probabaly the best example is when I asked a high school kid "how are you?" at the start of class and she replied "I got my period today." :eek:

Peanut Butter...I have some...issues with that

I'm wondering if there are certain subjects that are best not discussed in polite company.

If so, what do you think they are? Are there cultural distinctions as to what is unacceptable to speak about?

If someone brings up a subject that is impolite, what are you supposed to do?OF course there are subjects best not discusses in polite company. Politics, religion, Tiajuana donkey shows... the list is endless and changable with the comfort level of the gathering.

If someone brings up something that makes you uncomfortable you are bound to recipricate and find a topic of discussion that makes them squirm.

I see your colonoscopy and raise you what your sister told me she caught you doing...:tongue:

You can discuss anything in any company if you're interesting and/or charming enough.

There certainly are cultural differences. The biggest one I notice living here in Japan is that bodily functions are not so taboo. Probabaly the best example is when I asked a high school kid "how are you?" at the start of class and she replied "I got my period today." :eek:

Yeah, in China it's not uncommon for colleagues to respond to 'how are you?' with 'you laduzi' - I have diarrhea.

Thanks, need to know basis eh?

There certainly are cultural differences. The biggest one I notice living here in Japan is that bodily functions are not so taboo. Probabaly the best example is when I asked a high school kid "how are you?" at the start of class and she replied "I got my period today." :eek:

That mad me laugh.

I'm wondering if there are certain subjects that are best not discussed in polite company.

If so, what do you think they are? Are there cultural distinctions as to what is unacceptable to speak about?

If someone brings up a subject that is impolite, what are you supposed to do?

yes, there are subjects that are best not discussed in polite company. what they are depends on the company.

tell tale signs are people reluctant to converse with you on said subject. the only fix? change the subject or let them change the subject.

if someone brings up a topic you don't want to discuss, then change the subject, or if others are involved with the discussion, simply wander away.

I pretty much talk about what interests me.

I find that very few people are interested in out-of-bodice experiences or Faire snot.

I don't talk to many people.

If someone brings up a subject that is impolite, what are you supposed to do?
Stand up and let one rip. Right next to their face.

If you're too shy and got none brewing, rapping them on the nose with a rolled up newspaper and saying, "No!" in a firm voice should do the trick and make them aware they done wrong.

I was told to avoid these topics: Sports, money, politics, health, religion, anything sex-related, operating system choice. No idea why these Windows-using weasels insist on the last point *shrugs*

The names of your teddy bears.

If someone does start talking about theirs, be quick to alert the proper authorities.

I find talking TO their teddy bears much more disconcerting and, well, impolite than talking ABOUT them, to be frank. My mother-in-law has the knack to suddenly disengage from the conversation she had been having with me (or anybody else, for that matter) and start an engaged talk to one of the numerous teddy bears she's got strategically positioned all over the house, her car, etc.

I'm wondering if there are certain subjects that are best not discussed in polite company.

If so, what do you think they are? Are there cultural distinctions as to what is unacceptable to speak about?

If someone brings up a subject that is impolite, what are you supposed to do?

Maggot infestations of live humans

I find talking TO their teddy bears much more disconcerting and, well, impolite than talking ABOUT them, to be frank. My mother-in-law has the knack to suddenly disengage from the conversation she had been having with me (or anybody else, for that matter) and start an engaged talk to one of the numerous teddy bears she's got strategically positioned all over the house, her car, etc.

The conspiracy goes deeper than I'd imagined... :eek:

I find talking TO their teddy bears much more disconcerting and, well, impolite than talking ABOUT them, to be frank. My mother-in-law has the knack to suddenly disengage from the conversation she had been having with me (or anybody else, for that matter) and start an engaged talk to one of the numerous teddy bears she's got strategically positioned all over the house, her car, etc.

I find it disconderting to have someone talking to a teddy bear that's NOT PHYSICALLY THERE! :eek:

I'm wondering if there are certain subjects that are best not discussed in polite company.

If so, what do you think they are? Are there cultural distinctions as to what is unacceptable to speak about?

If someone brings up a subject that is impolite, what are you supposed to do?

Pap smears. My aunt asked my uncle's (at the time) girlfriend how hers went. This happened at some relatively big family function, and most of us ignored it until the aunt left, then had a laugh about it.

I don't know if I can do this story justice, but I'll try...

There I was ... (All sea stories start this way) ... sitting on the can about two months into a six month deployment. I finished my business and started to leave when I saw the C.O. walk in and sit down. He sits down in the stall that I had been using -- right next to a squadron pal that was especially talkative in the head. Men's etiquette is that you sit there quietly until done, but not this guy. Oh yeah, he had a pretty distinctive voice, too.

We had been talking and I guess he didn't notice that his audience had change. The Skipper was not one of those that was at his oratorical best while taking a dump, but that didn't stop my colleague from launching into a monologue about the turd that he'd just excreted.

I just stood there ... I couldn't laugh, or the show would probably end. I bit my lip and almost cried while I listed to my pal talk about the consistency and the size of the piece of shit in the bowl. Meanwhile the Skipper was probably beside himself with embarrassment.

I finally left. The C.O. left. My pal left. I cornered my buddy in the ready room and told him what he had just done. He got just a little pale. The Skipper walks in and doesn't say anything. We brief our flight, but just before we walk out the door, the Skipper says to my pal, G---, you've just earned a new callsign. We're going to call you Steamer from now on.

Epic threadwin!

I'm not easily embarrassed and can hold on a conversation about anything, I think it has to do with my upbringing and my off-base personality. But I haven't ever found a topic that I couldn't bring up among the majority of people.



Maggot infestations of live humans

Ok, I was wrong...

I'll happily discuss most things. Having said that when it comes to my family there are some topics that we stear well clear of if only to maintain the peace.

People talking about some dream they had.

Maggot infestations of live humans

I would think that was quite an interesting topic, very good way of cleaning a wound if you do it deliberately.

I find it disconderting to have someone talking to a teddy bear that's NOT PHYSICALLY THERE! :eek:

The conspiracy goes deeper than I'd imagined... :eek:

I'm with EI now.