You might need to try a different therapist.

I can’t tell whether this is supposed to be advice on what to do or not. I can certainly see people getting upset at all of them for putting your feelings and perspective at the forefront however.

People tend to prioritize the comfort of those closest to them over anyone else, themselves most of all. Expressing different political views could cause problems in their families or communities so they’ll keep quiet and just go about their lives thinking it’s not going to affect them. Better to risk the lives of strangers, or even nieces, than risk losing their marriage. It’s why “First they came for…” is so powerful - we can see ourselves in it.

Assigned seating has been the norm here for decades. Makes things go a little more smoothly, especially when everyone expects it.

As someone who’s not used these things, what’s wrong with a basic handshake to establish the comms channel?

“Hey, are you listening?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

…

Isn’t that all this really is?

Seems a weird thing for people to be uptight about.