If you’re a secretive child and do not prefer to share your personal life with your family, then welcome. Here we are aware that the holidays are a time of joy, cheer and questions. Every family gathering over the holidays inevitably turns into a police investigation, and they want to know every minuscule detail. As your heart rate starts to increase and beads of sweat form on your forehead, here are some topics of discussion your family is sure to inquire.
1. Your Relationship Status
You didn’t think you could get away with avoiding this one, did you? No, no, no, this one is the classic concern of your whole family. This seems to be subjected to examination just about every single holiday as if it even changes that frequently. There’s always the aunt who is an avid Facebook user, who noticed that you changed your relationship status recently. As much as you would love to catapult a dinner roll at your sweet 'ole aunt, you fight the urge and simply evade the question. You proceed to comment on how delicious the food is and how darn lovely everything turned out. When your mom later asks you what that was all about, you just reassure her that your aunt is old and has no idea how to even use Facebook, let alone a computer. (This is obviously incorrect. She messages you periodically with heart emojis. It’s kind of cute.) Despite your efforts, you’re bound to discuss the issue at least once during the night, but that was expected.
2. Your Schooling
Ah, yet another typical field of study for your family. Even after years of using the default responses of “good” or “It’s fine," they still will not suffice. Your family wants to know a brief synopsis of every single class you’re taking, along with how you feel about your various professors and your current grade in each class. Just as you catch your breath, one of your family members is sure to query on what you want to do with a degree in your chosen major. (Yes, family is relentless.) For the more “stable” majors, this is usually followed by your family doing a simultaneous and pleased golf-clap. For the majors that don’t necessarily present clear career paths (we know who we are), what follows is an awkward nod and the reply: “Oh, I see.” As vexing as the exchange is, it was expected.
3. Your Appearance
Your family will never miss an opportunity to put in their two cents about your appearance. They critique various areas, ranging from your wardrobe to your hairstyle. Their interrogation method includes back-handed compliments and rhetorical questions. Some anticipated remarks consist of “Well, it’s better than the last one,” and “What’s up with the hair?” As you remind yourself that you most likely have a better sense of style than a group of middle-aged men and women, you remember that this was expected.
Aside from all the infuriating questions, you remember that your family ultimately loves you and they just want to know what’s going on in your life. But yes, they could tone it down a bit. Good luck with your family’s holiday interrogation.
