Without asking directly if one or the other; is there a way in a non-political conversation, to detect/sense if a person is democrat or republican in the U.S. or has tendency to be ?

-Or by asking what ?

The current tenets the parties might be a good proxy. If they support more than a couple of the MAGA favorites, they probably lean right, and if they like the so-called “woke” positions, they probably lean left. If they won’t shop at certain stores or use some products (owing to boycotts). How they feel about vaccines, education. Lots of topics have become political that aren’t inherently political.

13 hours ago, Externet said:

is there a way in a non-political conversation, to detect/sense if a person is democrat or republican

Since you're asking about Democrats/Republicans, I assume you mean Americans.
The easiest way is to ask what they think of D Trump; if they 'gush' about him, they are bat-shit crazy, and most likely Republicans.

In most other counties where the population isn't rabid about their politics, it is much harder to differentiate between Liberals and Conservatives. We care about the issues, not the party ( or their leader ).
I, for example, have voted Liberal and Conservative in Canada, and once even NDP ( Socialist ); I consider myself a social Liberal and a fiscal Conservative.

I think one thing that says they lean to the right is if they have a national flag in their front lawn. (This probably isn't limited to the US.)

"Have you listened to any good podcasts lately?"

As other noted, things that aren't inherently political. "Have you switched to bamboo toilet paper?"

The Right seems to have signed on to a lot of cultural posturing that's about not giving a shite. (or what you wipe it with)

On 3/15/2026 at 6:47 PM, Externet said:

Without asking directly if one or the other; is there a way in a non-political conversation, to detect/sense if a person is democrat or republican in the U.S. or has tendency to be ?

-Or by asking what ?

Most Americans are neither. In a country where basically only Democrats and Republicans are the only parties allowed, barely half of the registered voters are either one. Unaffiliated or independent is the largest segment of the voting populace so there is no way of knowing for sure short of asking. Having said that, most people still vote D or R and whether they support or oppose the policies of whoever is in power will usually show which side is their preference. This is especially true if they are critics because partisans are slow to criticize their own, even in the most egregious cases.

On 3/15/2026 at 11:47 PM, Externet said:

Or by asking what ?

'Can I introduce you to my wife?'

If I don't spot the tell-tales, the better half will.

8 hours ago, npts2020 said:

Unaffiliated or independent is the largest segment of the voting populace so there is no way of knowing for sure short of asking.

My experience is that Independents (currently 45% of RVs) are often more likely to inform you they're Independents, often expressing a gleeful disapproval of the partisan goat rodeo. The least likely to share affiliation are those who live where their party is a small minority. As others note, those who are most intensely partisan are also those most caught up in a culture war, so I would think they reveal themselves in myriad and obvious ways. They are out to either troll the Libtards or troll the cryptofascist racist death cult. 😉

I am one of the 45% and dislike both American political parties, which both seem very cozy with billionaires and both focused on short term solutions and the next election cycles, except for a few genuine public servants like Bernie Sanders (who is, ahem, an Independent). You can probably guess the party I end up voting for on the principle of LOTE. That said, if we ever have a candidate who is genuinely about ending US foreign interventions (and "spreading democracy") and shrinking our role as World Cop and fast tracking renewables, then I would vote for them even if their party was the Leopards Eating People's Faces Party.

4 minutes ago, TheVat said:

They are out to either troll the Libtards or troll the cryptofascist racist death cult.

Well, I know some who call themselves independent but are Joe Rogan fans are critical of "woke" etc. They just don't like Trump and likely would vote in Vance, if they could. Not sure whether I would call that independent.

6 minutes ago, TheVat said:

Leopards Eating People's Faces Party

I mean, in a way that is the brand for the GOP. As opposed to "I like to punch myself in the face" Dems. I think the key point here is "genuine" which always has been dicey in politics, but in recent times has been shipped off somewhere to be never seen again.

I wonder if all the people ( farmers, jobless auto workers, immigrants, soldiers, middle class sick people, etc ) who are now saying "I didn't vote for this" will take time to get the facts and study the issues before the next election.
They may be the new 'independents'.

On 3/17/2026 at 11:55 AM, TheVat said:

That said, if we ever have a candidate who is genuinely about ending US foreign interventions (and "spreading democracy") and shrinking our role as World Cop and fast tracking renewables, then I would vote for them even if their party was the Leopards Eating People's Faces Party.

There are candidates in every election who want this. Trouble is, the sincere ones are not generally Republicans or Democrats and Americans don't seem to mind "evil" too much so we get what we have...

On 3/17/2026 at 4:33 PM, MigL said:

I wonder if all the people ( farmers, jobless auto workers, immigrants, soldiers, middle class sick people, etc ) who are now saying "I didn't vote for this" will take time to get the facts and study the issues before the next election.

Judging by various discussions as well as overall media consumption trends, I would not hold my breath. There is a reason why politicians are emboldened now and have no problem contradicting themselves within the same sentence. The ability to properly lie to your audience used to be a prerequisite for a politician. Now you can bank on short attention span to get away with murder, if you can SQUIRREL!

On 3/15/2026 at 10:47 PM, Externet said:

Without asking directly if one or the other; is there a way in a non-political conversation, to detect/sense if a person is democrat or republican in the U.S. or has tendency to be ?

-Or by asking what ?

That's like asking for a question that could winkle out a closet vegan or a dedicated BBQer, no question is necessary, just stop talking for a minute or two and they'll tell you... ;)

On 3/18/2026 at 7:16 PM, npts2020 said:

There are candidates in every election who want this. Trouble is, the sincere ones are not generally Republicans or Democrats and Americans don't seem to mind "evil" too much so we get what we have...

Imagine 'evil' as an excuse to vent, are you sure that your anger is legitimate and not just a reason to be indignant?