With the holidays coming up very quickly, some of us may not be too excited to see some of our relatives.  Whether it is cheek-pinching Auntie Sue or the macho Uncle Dave, seeing some relatives can be a dreadful experience (especially with Auntie Sue).  From my fifteen years of dealing with over smothering relatives, I have a few tricks up my sleeve.

The Cheek Pincher

When dealing with a family member who will not stop hugging you or grabbing your arms, I only have one thing to say: Don’t let them catch you (A.K.A Run!).  Once you are in their wrinkly clutch, there is almost no way to escape.  Do whatever you can to avoid this unfortunate encounter (for your cheek’s sake that is) . The way I’d go about this is by hanging around the food table.  Shove your face full of turkey, mash potatoes, etc.  No relative will want to come near you when you have a four course meal inside your mouth, for fear of getting any of it on their prehistoric dress or suit.

The Talkers

Then there is Uncle Dave, who won’t stop blabbering on about the latest football game and sharing the detail of his latest hunting trip.  Personally, Uncle Dave is my least favorite kind of relative.  My advice to you, if you encounter one, is to just be kind. I know it maybe a struggle, but just try to be polite.  Just smile and nod your head like you most likely do with your parents and teachers.  A smile and nod that screams, “Please stop talking…I really don’t want to be here…I hope I get struck by lightning right now” usually does the trick.  Ok, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the point. Freshman Hallie Kostrensich’s suggests that you just pretend to listen. “ I personally like to just pretend like I am listening and then act like I have something else to do. Usually this works unless they say that the important part of the story of the story is coming soon…”. If that is the case, brace yourself because you are in for a long night.

The Oddball

Then there is good ol’ Cousin Billy.  Cousin Billy is the member of your family who nobody seems to remember or know just how they are related to him.  He is kind of just “there.”  Cousin Billy’s usually just sulks in a dark corner while quietly eating some of grandma’s homemade cranberry sauce.  Cousin Billy usually keeps to himself and won’t bother you.  Why not try and strike up a conversation with him?  If he doesn’t reply, just smile and walk away.  If he does reply, but starts talking about how many tennis balls he can fit in his mouth at once, again, just smile and walk away.

Once you get to the dinner table, it is a whole new ball game. With a choice between the kiddie table and adult table be sure to weigh the pros and cons of both tables before you pick your seat. You have to choose, would you rather listen to your parents go on and on about how proud they are of your older brother in college or sit with your 4 year old cousin who wants to put pasta in your mouth. You must choose your seat very very wisely. Before you sit down to start eating your pumpkin pie, decide on how much you are able to tolerate the people around you.

The most important thing to remember is that these people are your family.  You only get one, for better or for worse, so you are going to have to figure out a way to deal with them sooner or later. We have to love and respect for each and every one because they are our family.
In the end, the coping method you use really depends on the person you are dealing with. Whether it’s Uncle Dave or un-liked Cousin Billy, you’re coping method should always air on the side of caution and kindness as they are your family. That being said it’s always best to be on your best behavior with a mind that is both open and kind. In the end just put your best foot forward with every single person in your family that you meet, and hopefully you’ll be able to enjoy your Thanksgiving.