HOW OR HOW NOT TO TALK POLITICS
In the wake of our recent congressional shake-up and in light of the war in Iraq, it can feel excruciatingly difficult and even downright un-American to keep your opinions to yourself when a coworker starts venting about one of these issues.

But business expert Barbara Pachter champions a don't ask, don't tell policy. Entering into a political debate with a coworker is a mistake that can affect your career, says Pachter, author of "NewsRules@Work: 79 Etiquette Tips, Tools, and Techniques to Get Ahead and Stay Ahead" (Prentice Hall Press). She recommends avoiding political discussions at work altogether.

"Yes, it's tempting, but don't do it! When it comes to politics, people have strong opinions," Pachter said in a recent news release. "Political discussions can quickly and easily escalate into arguments, sometimes heated ones. You can alter people's opinions of you, sometimes not favorably, if they disagree with your comments."

Pachter offers five strategies for steering clear of those difficult discussions:

1) Quickly excuse yourself. You can politely say, "Oh, I just remembered that I am due on a conference call. See you later."

2)Change the topic. Simply ignore the question/comment and bring up another topic by saying, "I remember what it is I wanted to tell you," or "I'm burnt out hearing about this. What do you think about our new office opening in New York?" Remember you don't have to answer every question asked of you or respond to every comment.

3)Respond with humor. Have a standard line that you can use, like, "Oh, don't go there!" or "I never discuss that in the daylight!" (Make sure you have a smile on your face and a twinkle in your eye when you say it.)

4) Answer with a question. You can answer the question with a question, thereby putting it back on the person asking. For example, one time in a training session, I was asked who I was going to vote for in the next election. I answered, "Oh, who do you want me to vote for?" And when he answered, I replied, "I hear he is doing well in the polls."

5) Be assertive. You can politely but firmly tell the person, "I'm uncomfortable discussing this at work. Let's get back to business."

If you do decide to talk politics, however, remember to keep it civil. Don't let joking around turn hostile. Also, consider who you're talking to. If you have a sense that someone shares your politics, you can proceed with caution. If they don't, mums the word may be your best policy.