0 comments
For many of us, awkward conversations have become a mainstay of winter gatherings.
The festive period promises a lot: turkey, tinsel, and a soundtrack of perennial arguments. For a large portion of us, the season has become something other than a celebratory get-together and more of an endurance test, especially in recent years marred by political polarisation.
So how do you survive these annual interactions without severing ties or weaponizing a Christmas ornament?
Speaking to the Every Girl, marriage and family therapist Heidi McBain said the secret to a successful holiday period lies in the preparation. It’s no secret that our political and social views can differ drastically from those of our family members, so you don’t want to go into these situations without a game plan.
‘Maybe you all decide not to discuss politics at all or maybe you put safety features in place, like using active listening skills and ending the discussion if things get too heated.’
Settling boundaries like this together can ensure there’s no uncomfortable conversations – which can easily get more heated when everyone’s been drinking.
In the US, the recent presidential campaign is likely to cause major rifts over Thanksgiving weekend. And ongoing conflicts like those in Gaza remain a contentious subject between friends, family, and peers.
Author Justin Jones-Fosu told ABC News that it’s important to set boundaries in this instance and protect your own mental wellbeing first.
‘You have to assess your own readiness’ he said, ‘Each person is going to be very different.’
According to Jones-Fonsu, it’s also vital that you keep focused on why you decide to come together as a family in the first place. Whether that’s visiting relatives you rarely get to see, or spending time with those in old age.
For Karl Pillemer, a professor at Cornell University, it’s worth reminding yourself whether that dicey conversation is even worth the effort.
‘Will political conversation change anyone’s mind? If there’s no possibility of changing anyone’s mind, then create a demilitarised zone and don’t talk about it.’
Social users have called out concerns of festive conflict online, after AP News published an article providing advice for those anxious about spending time with family in the coming weeks.
