Unless you’re paid to kvetch with Barbara Walters on a daily basis (and with the speed at which the door is revolving at The View these days, that’s not such a long shot), one of your main job functions is to coexist peacefully with your co-workers. Easy, right? Even easier if you watch what you say around the watercooler. You’re free to say what you like (it’s a constitutional guarantee), but your co-workers are just as free to judge you—or resent you, or just plain not want to work with you—based on the words that come out of your mouth. Some topics are so loaded with controversy and emotion that forcing your views upon your colleagues (or simply bringing up the topic for discussion in the first place) could have you branded as the office loudmouth. Unless you’re eager to wear that crown, steer clear of these hot-button topics.
