Changing the topic

EXPRESSING an opinion (or ranting against someone) requires checking who are part of the conversation.

- By Tony Samson

Unless the topic touches on neutral items like the weather and earthquake faults, it’s best to check who is in the audience.

Controversial subjects attracting divergent opinions need to be sorted out. Caution must be doubly observed when exchanging posts online and in large Viber groups. The verbal thread can easily be forwarded even outside the intended group. (Did he really say I was a beneficiary of some public works projects?)

Touchy topics that provoke violent reactions are best avoided. Only in a debating stage with its own parliamentary rules and arbiters can two positions be allowed to be argued. Even here, the time for each speaker is limited by the rules.

Politics and religion are often off-limits as subjects for discussion. So too, are personal issues best left for the individual concerned to sort out, without unsolicited advice.

Personal subjects can cover money, like how much someone makes in his job or how heavily someone is in debt with her credit card. Other touchy topics are broken relationships, travel photos in luxurious surroundings posted on social media, and public support or condemnation of political figures.