以前都聽人說不要隨便和別人聊政治，但我想只要保持理性與互相尊重，聊政治本身其實不是個問題。政治滲透在我們生活的各個面向，深刻地影響我們的為人和價值觀，有時候遇到來自不同政治背景的外國朋友，這類話題甚至能成為深刻了解對方處世思想、他國現況與比對借鏡的豐富素材。
許多人都說培養「國際觀」很重要，我想和外國朋友交流政治觀點，就是一個很棒的腦力訓練！把以下幾句學起來，大夥在聊政治時才不會狀況外：
從最一般的大問題開頭......
如果你不確定朋友是否想聊這個話題，不妨先從最一般的大問題開頭，觀察一下他的反應再接話吧！
Who is the mayor of your city?
你的市長是誰？
What type of political system does your country have?
你們國家是什麼政治體系？
What are the main political parties in your country?
你們國家最主要的政黨是哪些？
Which party is now in power in your country?
你們國家現在哪個政黨當權？
What is the minimum voting age in your country?
你們國家最低投票年紀是幾歲？
How are government officials chosen in your country? Do you think this method is fair?
你們國家是怎麼選政府官員的？你覺得這方法公平嗎？
進一步問他的個人經驗......
如果你發現朋友似乎不介意聊政治，或甚至開始投入專注興趣，不妨就接著聊一下彼此政治生活裡的個人經驗吧：
How interested are you in politics?
你對政治興趣多大？
Did you vote in the last election?
上次選舉你有投票嗎？
What do you think of the president?
你覺得總統怎麼樣？
Why do you think voting is important?
你覺得為什麼投票很重要？
Who’s your favorite politician?
你最喜歡的政治人物是誰？
Have you ever been to a political demonstration or rally?
你曾經參加過什麼政治示威運動或集會嗎？
Do you have the same political views as your parents?
你跟你爸媽的政治觀一樣嗎？
進入狀況，聊點進階話題吧......
聊政治雖然有不歡而散的風險，但也有獲得豐富啟發與挑戰的價值。兩個人越聊越熱衷，接著就放手去聊些進階議題，了解一下對方對各種問題與解決方案的看法吧！
What do you think is the most important political issue right now? Why is it important?
你覺得現在最重要的政治議題是什麼？為什麼它重要？
Do you think too much money is spent on campaigns?
你覺得投入在競選的錢太多嗎？
What is your opinion about businessmen / businesspeople who run for office?
你對參選政治角色的生意人有什麼想法?
In your opinion, how much should governments contribute to university education?
你覺得政府應該貢獻多少在大學教育上？
How much does a politician's personal life effect their ability to do their job? Why do you think the media pays a lot of attention to politicians' personal lives?
你覺得一個政治人物的私人生活會影響他做事到什麼程度？你覺得媒體為什麼會對政治人物的私人生活放那麼多關注？
Why do you think the government doesn't do more about ___?
你覺得政府為什麼沒有在（某件事 / 某個問題 / 某個議題）多做點事？
Why do you think there aren't more women in politics? Do you think people pay more attention to female politicians than male ones?
你覺得為什麼沒更多女人參與政治？你覺得人們關注男性政治人物多過女性政治人物嗎？
What can governments do about ___?
政府能為（某件事 / 某個問題 / 某個議題）做什麼？
Art Design : Chara
