This morning I was among many people lined up for the Bay bus (with no sign of the Bay bus), when a man behind me randomly started trying to convert me into a believer. He went on and on about a book that he insists that I DEFINITELY need to read, because it will “change my life forever.” He said I should read it because Oprah said so.

Then he started on the extremes of politics, specifically about Obama and Clinton – all of this at 8:45 a.m. He continued to tell me random facts, instance by instance about what each has said towards the other during their campaign - telling me ‘the absolute truth’ about the election. And what’s worse is that everyone in the line up was giving me the, 'look what you've started' look.

As the monologue was getting to its most painful, I happened to notice my supervisor walking by, so we walked to work together. Good save.

Hint: When trying to persuade a perfect stranger about politics, religion, literature, or things of the sort, it's best not to make absolute claims. That's not persuasion - that's irritating.