If you haven't read any of their posts, can you say for sure if you are with a politically liberal or conservative leaning person? If so, what is the tell?
Originally Posted by oden
Most of my business associates today, based on recent personal experiences, tend to be more liberal than I am. Thus, it is my habit to assume that new people I meet are also more liberal, unless they are wearing a military uniform or some insignia indicating prior service.
The Dogfaces and Jarheads I know, tend to hold beliefs and values that are similar or more conservative than mine. Squids are on both sides of the political fence; whereas, Flyboys tend to be, IMO, a little more liberal. In addition to uniforms or insignia (pins, tattoos, etc.), former military personnel often comport themselves differently and sometimes employ jargon when speaking.
For instance, I once was in an office when a 40ish something man entered and asked for the "head." Almost everybody in the office pointed towards the boss's office door. Myself and one other guy pointed to the "Men's Room," which is what he - a former Marine - really wanted.
These are just some the "tells" (or absence there of) I notice to form an initial opinion. Yet, it's only through listening to a person express his or her opinion that I really begin to understand where he or she stands politically.