“Never discuss politics or religion in polite company.” -- attributed to Mark Twain

I realize that politics and religion can be filters some of us to "screen" potential APs. Other times, they are insignificant, or carefully avoided, or embraced simply as two more things we discuss respectfully with those we trust.

What's been your experience with an AP?

Did/do you discuss them and, if so, what has been the result?

If you didn't/haven't discussed them, why not?

Was there a discussion early on about not discussing politics and religion?

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My first AP and I couldn't have been more different on those topics, yet politics in particular came up accidentally early on. Nevertheless, we bonded deeply and didn't really touch on the areas afterwards.

With my most recent AP, I knew from near the beginning where she stood, and she me. We both intuitively knew that we were in the same ballpark on those things, though certainly not 100% aligned. But we never discussed it. Not because we didn't want to. But our time was precious, and we wanted to focus on other things, areas of total agreement and enjoyment. We were both quite tolerant of almost all viewpoints, so the need to have compatible politics and religion wasn't a "dealbreaker."

With an AP, I want to know her on an intimate level -- what her day has been like, what she had for dinner, etc. -- but when it comes to politics and religion, I'd just as soon leave those outside the bedroom walls.

You?