Disagreement

I was talking to my co-worker, another trainer, this morning and we got onto the subject of marriage. She said that she and her boyfriend didn't really believe in the institution of marriage and just dismissed it as "a ring and an expensive party." I wholeheartedly disagree (Why then were people fighting so hard against prop 8?), but didn't say anything to either direction in the interest of keeping the conversation flowing. There sometimes isn't really a tactful way to disagree with something, so why bother to put someone on the spot about it, oppose them and induce awkwardness at the cost of a nice talk?

"Yeah.. We don't believe in marriage, it's just a ring and an expensive party."
"I disagree. There are many legal advantages and privileges that are granted only to married couples. You are taking these liberties for granted, just ask any gay person around. So your boyfriend is French?"
"... "

I feel like this happens to people more than they might think. One way is when someone comes to you talking enthusiastically about tv/movie/singer that you've never heard of, and occasionally you don't want to burst his bubble so you just say... "oh yeah, I saw that, it WAS awesome." Etc. It's probably a fine line between placation/pandering and calculated avoidance. Who really cares if you say you've seen a movie, whereas if you were gay and trying to get married and were talking to my co-worker this morning, you might have to pick your battle.

Speaking of prop 8 failing, it looks like the results of these recent elections indicate that our racism (Obama winning) has been replaced with homophobia (prop 8 passing), with sexism (denying Hilary, Palin) tossed somewhere into the mix.