My vote is to be a good human being and try to sympathise with the horrible shit that person is going through. It doesn't matter who is right or wrong, it's just as horrible all the same
this post was submitted on 07 Sep 2023
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I agree. By being confrontational from the beginning, OP would be definetly a bad person. Only be confrontational if they become confrontational. If they start saying bullshit, just argue calmly and respectfully.
I have to disagree with you on this, honestly. Because most people who start "saying bullshit" aren't looking for an argument and aren't in a state of mind receptive to new ideas. In the case of a cultural exchange with Ukrainian people, I'm guessing most of them are going to be ranging somewhere on a spectrum between "pissed off" and "completely exhausted", and when the subject of the war comes up, whatever they have to say is likely going to be more about venting their anger and/or just saying whatever gets to the end of the call the fastest than it is about looking for a rational political dialogue.
That is true, I did not think of that perspective. I agree with you.
Yes of course, but what about when they start talking about the politics?
The people you’ll be talking to are, in all likelihood, also proletarians. I mean I guess this could be a propaganda op on some level but whatever. They’re victims of the USA, NATO, Russia, and the bourgeois Ukrainian state. Their lives are being destroyed by the squabbles of the bourgeoisie. Complaining to them about the failures of their government right now accomplishes as much as telling some poor bastard in Alabama to vote blue and is probably equally insulting.
Since this is nominally a cultural exchange program, not an international political debate group, you should try to talk about that. What their holiday celebrations are like, what their favorite foods are, what they do for fun. Learn about their culture and try to connect with them as fellow human beings.
When the subject of the war and politics inevitably comes up, just shut up and nod along, and understand that there is a time and place to offer political critique and education, and this ain't it.
Zoom calls can be recorded and zoom itself may keep a record. Don't give any more personal details than the minimum. You don't know who might end up with a recording.
I'd focus on asking them questions. I would not ask leading or political questions, etc, or start talking about someone in the enemy military. The latter is insensitive, to say the least; the person you're talking to might have lost their brother or cousin to that person in the enemy military.
I can't imagine that you will be assumed to be anything but in full support of Ukraine. So I don't know how the opportunity to bs them(?) would come up unless you mention it. If you say that you don't support Ukraine, and make things 'awkward' for the cultural exchange students, I imagine there will be a disciplinary action of some sort: if you're part of this, you're representing your university.
Personally, I would have no difficulty in asking them about their lives or expressing my sympathy and wish for Ukrainians to stop dying in a war they didn't ask for. That wouldn't be bs.
This is bait, right? Why would you mention the war if they don't mention it? Why would you put your university degree at risk to dunk on some randos who don't even necessarily oppose you?
I think maybe OP is not good at english and is expressing himself poorly. Maybe the war is a part of the agenda of the meeting.
(source: I'm bad at english and I have a lot of experience in expressing myself poorly)
It is not and I was told that the war will be mentioned by them.
Will they be asking your opinion?
Edit: it seems like you're considering putting yourself in a tough position for little to no benefit, and with potential risk.
I don't know. I was just told that they will want to talk about the war.
I'm not sure what level of university you're in exactly, but the number one skill you learn in most schooling is bullshitting. Whatever the teachers say, nobody involved in this actually wants some kind of deep intellectual discussion. Liberal education isn't about that. Like the overwhelming majority of your education, this is a test of your bullshitting skills. Ask the obvious questions, give the uncontroversial and expected answers, write your 10 page essay about how brave these people are and how much you learned and grew as a person by talking to them, collect your grade, and move on.
Source: I graduated with honors. The secret is understanding that nobody actually gives a shit about you or what you have to say, they just want you to follow the guidelines and complete your tasks.
I'll be honest i don't care which side someone supports. I don't need too. The chance that i will ever know enough about the situation to determine which side is better is rather close to zero. And it just doesn't matter. The far more important things is what caused the war, and how to prevent them in the future. This war was caused by capitalism, there is no way around it. And if we ever want long term peace and prosperity for everyone we need to end it. Anti capitalism is more important than pointless factionalism over which capitalist country is slightly better than the others.
You should stick a rusty nail up your tiny dick.
who hurt you