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Between the food, beer and catching up on family gossip, boring hasn't been an issue at my family gatherings. I'm not really a drinker but it does tend to help people relax. I have two toddlers now so I'm usually busy putting things back on the shelf they took them from, or cleaning up the cats water they spilled, or making sure the bathroom and bedroom doors are closed so their drawers don't get ransacked. Going to others peoples' houses now is so FUN!!
I think you can liven it up by telling them how you get a kick out of people by deceiving them and playing a game of cat and mouse with their minds on CDF...that would be a great start.
Tried booze, they will not drink, and talking about them and the past, every trick in the book (Dale Carnegie How to win friends and influence people), failure.
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Originally Posted by kahskye
Older relatives love looking through old photographs and reminiscing the past. Make them talk. Ask about your ancestors or their children. Find topics that interest them whether it bores you or not. It's just for a few hours one day a year. Deal w/ it.
Tried booze, they will not drink, and talking about them and the past, every trick in the book (Dale Carnegie How to win friends and influence people), failure.
Well than let your grandma see you made an appearance and leave.
Well than let your grandma see you made an appearance and leave.
Grandma would be quite upset that we did not put in our two hours set aside for the event. That is the unofficial arrangement. Last time my Aunt, after looking at her watch maybe 200 times during the event, attempted to make an excuse and leave the event before her time. My Grandma called her to task for not spending enough time with the relatives. My Aunt froze up and sat there like a zombie for the next forty minutes and then at the two hour point ran out of the house like there was a fire. This is the mentality we are dealing with.
It would not be a problem if I were not so uncomfortable with the long awkward silences as another topic of conversation died on the vine and we could just play games and watch TV. But Grandma says no, and she is a strong woman who has been a wonderful person to me.
I am sure they dislike my brother and I and our conversational style, but without a direct discussion (no passive aggressive approach) how can anyone change?
lemme guess where this one is going, they are blue collar and you two are just too intellectual, try talking more about jerry springer next time you are there
I think you can liven it up by telling them how you get a kick out of people by deceiving them and playing a game of cat and mouse with their minds on CDF...that would be a great start.
What an interesting topic. This sounds so much like my husband's family. We have tried games, booze and a heart to heart talk. Nothing. Advice?
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