I sensed that if I were ever to meet [Senator Orrin] Hatch face-to-face there would be little that we could agree upon. There was something about watching Hatch that reminded me of unpleasant, futile political arguments I had had in my life. I wondered whether such political disagreements did not issue from underlying, perhaps even innate characteristics. Certainly, experience teaches us that when we encounter another person whom we instinctively dislike, constructive political dialogue is not likely to follow. Humans can intuitively sense through a variety of subtle clues (i.e., dress, accent, gestures) when another person possesses a mix of cultural and psychological characteristics that is so substantially different to our own that political discord is also likely. Put otherwise, a liberal can usually smell a conservative, and vice versa. Moreover, the smell is not a pleasant one.-- Red Genes, Blue Genes: Exposing Political Irrationality. Guillermo Jimenez
About This Quote

People who hold opposing views may find themselves arguing with one another rather than finding common ground and working together for a common cause. This is because each person has a different set of beliefs and experiences that shape their worldview. This is why it's important to take the time to get to know someone before you can effectively communicate with them. Although this quote mainly talks about politics, it also applies to people you meet in your workplace or even in your social circle.

As long as you have an interest in someone, you will have the opportunity to get to know them better. That's when you can see if they are worth getting to know better. Once you have established that they are worth getting to know, this will allow you to build a friendship or even a romantic relationship out of that bond.

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  1. I sensed that if I were ever to meet [Senator Orrin] Hatch face-to-face there would be little that we could agree upon. There was something about watching Hatch that reminded me of unpleasant, futile political arguments I had had in my life. I wondered whether...
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