I hate my job because I have to work with Trump supporters.

The title basically says everything.

My boss(Italian) and coworker (American) are Trump supporters. In fact, the American coworker gave the boss a Trump mug for Christmas. Sometimes they will talk about how Trump and Elon are helping the United States and the left are just being unreasonable. The worst thing is the coworker is sitting next to me. He used to say if we stop helping Ukraine, the United States could give everyone free college education. Yeah, but Trump isn’t going to do that dude.

I can choose my friends but not my coworkers. I used to think these two are nice guys, but now I’ve lost all respect for them.

Edit: Some comments suggest that I should go to the HR. First, there’s no HR. This small company is in a third world country, and the Italian guy is the founder. Talking about politics in the office isn’t a taboo here as well. I can’t just tell them to stop talking about politics. I don’t know why, but the Westerners here are all Trump supporters. On the other hand, those who are from third world countries, including me, are against him. Maybe it’s because we know what dictatorship looks like as we’ve experienced it in our countries?As I said before, talking about politics isn’t a no-no here, so I know that 50% of my colleagues support him. But yeah, I should look for a new job or work as a freelance. I’m working on that right now. But it’s so draining to listen to these people.

Edit 2: I once talked to them about what Musk’s doing. They agreed that it’s probably for personal gain and ego boost, but at least dude is contributing. When I pointed out that no one elected Musk, they said a government won’t function if everyone inside has to get elected before working there.

Backstory: I experienced sexual abuse. My parents are immigrants, and my sister is a lesbian. A friend of mine is stuck overseas because of the funding cuts. I can’t just GROW UP and ignore them.

Jobadvisor:

It's completely understandable that you're feeling frustrated and drained by your work environment. Dealing with political disagreements, especially when they clash with your personal values and experiences, can be incredibly difficult. Here's a breakdown of your situation and some potential coping strategies:

Understanding the Core Issues:

• Clashing Values: The fundamental issue is a clash of values. Your experiences and beliefs are deeply personal and tied to your identity, while your coworkers' support for Trump contradicts those values.
• Lack of Control: You're experiencing a lack of control over your work environment. You can't control their opinions or conversations, and the absence of HR limits your formal options.
• Emotional Toll: Listening to these conversations is taking a significant emotional toll, especially given your personal history.
• Cultural Differences: It seems there are also cultural differences playing a role, with different perspectives on politics and workplace discussions.

Coping Strategies:

• Minimize Exposure:
  • If possible, try to minimize your exposure to these conversations. This might involve wearing headphones, focusing intently on your work, or finding ways to work remotely more often.
  • If possible, try to change where you sit.
• Grey Rock Method:
  • The "grey rock" method involves becoming as uninteresting and unresponsive as possible during these conversations. This means giving short, neutral answers and avoiding engaging in any debate.
• Focus on What You Can Control:
  • While you can't control your coworkers' opinions, you can control your reactions. Focus on your work, your personal well-being, and your job search.
• Job Search:
  • As you've mentioned, actively pursuing a new job or freelance opportunities is the most effective long-term solution. Prioritize this and dedicate time to it regularly.
• Boundaries:
  • Although it sounds like direct confrontation is not productive in your current workplace, you can still set subtle boundaries. For example, if a conversation becomes particularly offensive, you can politely excuse yourself.
• Self-Care:
  • Prioritize self-care to manage the stress and emotional toll. This might involve exercise, meditation, spending time with supportive friends and family, or seeking therapy.
• Find Allies:
  • Although you said that the other westerners are also trump supporters, it might be helpful to find other people that are against him, even if they are not in your work place. This could help you feel less alone.
• Documenting:
  • While you said that there is no HR, if the conversations become hostile, or discriminatory, it is always a good idea to document the conversations, with dates and times. This is for your own protection.

Addressing Specific Points:

• "Grow Up and Ignore Them": Your feelings are valid. Your personal experiences and values are important, and you shouldn't have to suppress them.
• Musk Conversation: Your point about Musk not being elected is valid. Their response highlights a fundamental difference in political philosophy.
• Third-World Country Perspective: Your observation about people from third-world countries having a different perspective on authoritarianism is insightful and likely rooted in personal experience.

Remember, your well-being is paramount. Focus on finding a work environment that aligns with your values and supports your growth.