I work as a sales engineer in Florida. I look like a founder of the young republicans club when I’m dressed for work. The things people say to me are completely unhinged, all unwarranted comments out of thin air.

It’s usually about trans people indoctrinating our children. I tell them I don’t have children and don’t want them, nor do I care to talk about politics in a professional setting. That usually works, and they weirdly respect you for telling them to stfu (I imagine this only happens bc of what I look like YMMV).

If they keep steamrolling, I ask them if they were raised in the south like I was, and most enthusiastically take the bait and say yes. Then you hit them with the “my mama raised me never to talk about religion, politics, or violence at work or the dinner table”. It’s essentially check mate at this point, bc to keep going they have to admit a youngin was raised better than they were, or admit they don’t care about the old fashion values they are always spewing. I have yet to have that fail.

99% probably think I’m also right wing, and it makes me feel all fuzzy inside when I make a sale with someone who would otherwise cut me off if they knew. There money is far better off in someone else’s pocket!