I dunno, it really depends on the context, but I steer the hell clear of social/political conversation when I'm just meeting with people. If it comes up, sure pipe in with a few things, but if the whole conversation becomes a political discussion that's a pretty huge buzzkill if you're just hanging out or at a bar or party. These are things that interest all of us, but what's the point of getting into something so serious and divisive when you're trying to have fun. Talk about more cultural shit…
Now this goes for any social situation and it's really my number one rule: DON'T ALIENATE THE PERSON YOU'RE TALKING TO. If a conversation can flow into something that you know a lot about that's totally cool, but don't fucken sperg out and start alienating whoever you're talking to, that's a one-way ticket to awkward city. There's gotta be give and take with conversations. Talk with them, not at them, and for the love of god don't act like you're better than them because you happen to have some …