Changing the subject

Back in Michigan when I wanted to change the subject I would simply say, "So, how about them Tigers." The statement was invariably followed with the other person yelling, "Fuck yeah the Tigers! Love those guys!" The subject would move on to a greatly detailed account of how great the Tigers are.
In Alaska this doesn't work too well. Someone will be ranting on about some uncomfortable subject and I try to change it by saying, "How about them Tigers." I will meet their blank gaze, watch them blink, and than listen as they say, "um yeah sure- Tigers? So, Back to what I was saying-...
For Alaskans the Tigers just won't cut it. People up here come from all over the place. They are people who couldn't take being told what to do, that's how you end up in Alaska. The one thing that can make any Alaskan change the subject is: Hippies.
Whether someone is old or young, rich or poor, conservative or liberal they all have very strong feelings about the overpopulation of Hippies up here. I will just yell out, "HIPPIES!" A conservative my might follow it up with, "Fucking Hippies..." A liberal with, "I love how many there are up here. The yurts they live in are cool..." I even find myself getting caught in my own subject change, "Old hippies who stuck with the principals they believe in cool. Great. At least they show that they have dedication to the cause. Neo-Hippies- any one under 58 trying to live the hippie lifestyle- I can't stand!" Most people, even the most conservative people, seem to agree with me and the uncomfortable topic of how to gut a moose has been changed.