Anonymous
Post 12/21/2015 14:09     Subject: How do you get through family events that you dread?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You behave like an adult just like you hopefully would in any other setting. Why must people revert to behaving like children simply because they are in a family situation--theirs or the in-laws.?


I have a feeling some of your family members are sneaking flasks into your house this year too...
Hardly, I have a full bar. I simply don't believe in going into someone's home and disrespecting their wishes. Obviously, you see no issue with blatantly disregarding what someone does or does not want in their home. That says a lot about you,
Anonymous
Post 12/21/2015 13:58     Subject: How do you get through family events that you dread?
Anonymous wrote:You behave like an adult just like you hopefully would in any other setting. Why must people revert to behaving like children simply because they are in a family situation--theirs or the in-laws.?


I have a feeling some of your family members are sneaking flasks into your house this year too...
Anonymous
Post 12/21/2015 13:57     Subject: How do you get through family events that you dread?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I take mental notes of the ridiculous comments and occurrences and save it for a hilarious story to tell someone (mom, husband, friends) later. It helps to get through it knowing you can share it later and laugh


Agree with this--we had an unofficial "most dsyfunctional holidays" contest in our office. Sadly, I won one year.

The next year my coworker's brother-in-law received a gun as a present from the in laws and tried to shoot them after getting liquored up, and that pretty much beat out everyone. Moral of the story: just try to get through it, save the funny stories and, if there are firearms, don't bring the flask.


You win. And please share your story that got dethroned by the almost-murder.
Anonymous
Post 12/21/2015 13:56     Subject: Re:How do you get through family events that you dread?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Make up a game in which you pay yourself. Ie. "Every time Aunt Myrtle mentions something she saw on Fox News, I get a dollar." Then take that money and buy yourself something, even if it is just some ice cream.


I mentally play a game called A$$h*le Bingo from law school: count every time the class sycophant says something to appease the teacher and when the number gets to 5, say "Bingo" in a sentence. I only play mentally at family gatherings, but who knows? Maybe you can try it IRL and Aunt Myrtle won't notice.


+1




I am using this one. I bet if I actually shout out, "bingo!", BIL will keep talking.


Now I'm almost sad (almost, but not really) we aren't spending Xmas with my inlaws. I can just see blurting out "BINGO!" while my SIL just keeps prattling on and on and on and on.
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2015 14:50     Subject: Re:How do you get through family events that you dread?
Pre-game; it's the only way.
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2015 14:04     Subject: Re:How do you get through family events that you dread?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Make up a game in which you pay yourself. Ie. "Every time Aunt Myrtle mentions something she saw on Fox News, I get a dollar." Then take that money and buy yourself something, even if it is just some ice cream.


I mentally play a game called A$$h*le Bingo from law school: count every time the class sycophant says something to appease the teacher and when the number gets to 5, say "Bingo" in a sentence. I only play mentally at family gatherings, but who knows? Maybe you can try it IRL and Aunt Myrtle won't notice.


+1




I am using this one. I bet if I actually shout out, "bingo!", BIL will keep talking.
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2015 13:42     Subject: How do you get through family events that you dread?
Anonymous wrote:I take mental notes of the ridiculous comments and occurrences and save it for a hilarious story to tell someone (mom, husband, friends) later. It helps to get through it knowing you can share it later and laugh


Agree with this--we had an unofficial "most dsyfunctional holidays" contest in our office. Sadly, I won one year.

The next year my coworker's brother-in-law received a gun as a present from the in laws and tried to shoot them after getting liquored up, and that pretty much beat out everyone. Moral of the story: just try to get through it, save the funny stories and, if there are firearms, don't bring the flask.
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2015 07:56     Subject: How do you get through family events that you dread?
I take mental notes of the ridiculous comments and occurrences and save it for a hilarious story to tell someone (mom, husband, friends) later. It helps to get through it knowing you can share it later and laugh
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2015 07:54     Subject: Re:How do you get through family events that you dread?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I've found I can fit almost a full bottle of wine in a colored water bottle- hubby and I share
Totally disrespectful and not at all funny to do this in a household that abstains. You would go batshit crazy if someone came in to your home and disrespected the rules of your home. Not at all funny.


Ummm, but the crystal meth and flask are okay? Lighten up- it was a joke!
Anonymous
Post 12/20/2015 07:20     Subject: How do you get through family events that you dread?
My cousin and I played a game. We had a flask and we'd see how long it took the rest of the room to discover we were drunk. After the first few family gatherings my 95 year old grandmother caught on and egged it on.

So, undercover drinking and find yourself a buddy.
Anonymous
Post 12/19/2015 21:25     Subject: Re:How do you get through family events that you dread?
I don't anymore.

I just say no.

I have heard enough about republicans and horse collecting and bonuses and retirement plans and luxury trips to last me a lifetime.
Anonymous
Post 12/19/2015 11:46     Subject: Re:How do you get through family events that you dread?
Anonymous wrote:I've found I can fit almost a full bottle of wine in a colored water bottle- hubby and I share
Totally disrespectful and not at all funny to do this in a household that abstains. You would go batshit crazy if someone came in to your home and disrespected the rules of your home. Not at all funny.
Anonymous
Post 12/19/2015 11:44     Subject: How do you get through family events that you dread?
You behave like an adult just like you hopefully would in any other setting. Why must people revert to behaving like children simply because they are in a family situation--theirs or the in-laws.?
Anonymous
Post 12/19/2015 10:36     Subject: How do you get through family events that you dread?
No, OP, you do not have to go to his house. You are an adult and you get to choose where you go and with whom You spend your time. If you are miserable being with him and his fsmily, DON' T GO.
Anonymous
Post 12/18/2015 17:19     Subject: How do you get through family events that you dread?
Crystal meth. You can snort it in the bathroom.