@pganssle No, it wasn't always this way. The extreme polarization and acceptance of boorish behavoius à la POTUS is a new phenomenon.
People do get nasty and best not to even start an argument with them. There's no win there.
So, smile and have a sip of wine, juice or what is on your cup. Get a refill. Smile and repeat.
It will be over soon, I promise. 😉
@pganssle It's true that there were militant actions in the 70s, but what I think is new today is the belligerency of some average person you might meet at a social event. People are adamant about their opinions, and not inclined to listen, consider or change theirs.
If conflict is the likely result of such encounters, it ends up more productive to avoid them, imo.