Dear Annie: Friendship on the brink due to political differences

Dear Annie: I have a good friend who constantly wants to talk about politics. The problem is that we are on opposite ends of the spectrum. She thinks she’s politically savvy. She is not educated or well informed, but she has an opinion on everything. How can I get her to stop talking about politics? -- Political Mess

Dear Political Mess: This problem is incredibly common and, unfortunately, has caused the end of many friendships. So know that you are not alone.

It sounds like the odds of having a productive conversation with this friend are low, so try to stay away from political topics altogether. When she brings them up, you can redirect the conversation by, say, asking about her children or inquiring about a recent vacation that she took. You can also try your best to find some common ground -- no matter how small or vague -- and keep the conversation there. Good luck!

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