Suggestions on dealing with wingnut-induced stress

[stanwyck]

I really need your advice on proven methods for dealing with wingnuts (co-workers) who feed on hate-radio all day and then spew the venom. I'm not coping well. I fear I'll blow and do more harm to myself than anyone else.
What do you do?

[XNASA]

1. You must take solace in the fact that your view is backed by fact.

And not hyperbole.

Don't stand down, just pick your spots. And by all means, remain calm and have fun.

[amazona]

2. at my partner's office they did this...

In the 1980s with the rise of hate radio, they banned personal radios and the playing of radio programs, either talk or music, to be fair to everyone. You need to talk to a supervisor about getting the hate radio banned, there is no excuse for it and it creates a hostile workplace for minorities, women, etc.

My partner is a key employee, and three of the co-workers into hate radio are also key employees, so a total ban on this nonsense seemed to be the only way to create a peaceful environment for everyone. If you are not a key employee and don't think your concerns will be addressed by management if it's just you, find some other people in the office who also dislike the tension and get a group of you to request an end to the hate radio and the discussion of hate radio topics at work.

Religion and politics should not be preached at a captive audience trapped in the workplace trying to do their jobs. Let the wingnuts save it for the KKK rally.

As far as after hours, don't socialize with those who can't keep from spewing hate. Life is too short. I do socialize with wingnuts, it's unavoidable, but they have to be adult enough to agree to disagree and just STFU about their idiotic "thoughts." Some you just have to write off as friends. I've written off one man but still have casual contact with him from time to time and noticed that he has gotten so whacky he has put an Adolf Hitler bumper sticker on his car...sheesh. What do you do? It does no good to get upset with someone who is clearly severely mentally ill! I'm sure you've noticed this already but many if not most wingnuts just aren't as intelligent and sensitive and aware as we are...if you consider the source...it really helps the blood pressure.

[wtmusic]

3. Violence works well for letting off steam

j/k

listen. ask questions.

"So the fact that only one of the swiftboat vets even knows John Kerry doesn't bother you?" etc.

[northzax]

4. sleep with their daughters

if they're like all the other wing nuts around, their young adult children should be fast an loose with morality.

but wait until they're 18, huh? for the law's sake (and cause it's just skeezy)