How to Live with Your Relatives at Christmas
With Christmas Day falling on a Saturday this year, a leading behaviourist says the season of goodwill could actually become a battleground with families being packed together for up to four days.
(PRWEB) November 23, 2004 -- With Christmas Day falling on a Saturday this year, a leading behaviourist says the season of goodwill could actually become a battleground with families being packed together for up to four days.
Nancy Slessenger says, Christmas is an artificial experience. It bears little resemblance to normal living. It is the one time of year when two or three generations can be packed in a house together. They start with good intentions, but tempers can flare, often sparked by trivial arguments. Instead of using the carving knife on the turkey, your thoughts turn to your husband -- or his mother!" But Nancy says there are ways of avoiding such extreme action and simple tricks to prevent family rows from becoming permanent rifts. Nancy, author of 'Understanding Misunderstandings, says We all know what its like to be frazzled in the kitchen when a family member, quite often an in-law, comes in and tells us how to cook the meal!
Dont shout. Ignore their advice but turn the tables by peppering them with questions such as -- 'So, what are your thoughts on stuffing? Home made or bought? And what do you cook the roast potatoes in, lard, goose fat, corn oil or duck fat? What do you think of Delias recipe? And do you still use Tupperware like the Queen? Pretty soon theyll be sick of your questions and you wont be bothered ever again."
Nancy also has advice about handling the Christmas moaning Minnies.
"Dont try and jolly them out of their misery -- use the technique of being even more negative than they are! If they complain about the turkey say, 'Yes, I agree its dreadful. Well all probably get food poisoning. Lets throw it away. I think I have a tin of SPAM somewhere we could have instead. Or if they moan about their presents say, 'Okay, well take them to Oxfam next week. I think theyre open again on Tuesday. Im going into town then. Or would you like to take them? Adopt this negative technique and theyll soon stop moaning. If you try and be positive with them, you will make them even more negative."
'Understanding Misunderstandings also has advice for the rest of the year -- how to handle bullies, bureaucrats, fusspots and crybabies and even those Nancy calls 'the Rhinos the totally insensitive individuals.
'Understanding Misunderstandings by Nancy Slessenger, published by
Vinehouse essential at 14.99.
For further details, contact Nancy Slessenger on 07071 224569 or Charlie Hall at charlie@vinehouse.co.uk or order your copy through www.vinehouse.co.uk
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