Holidays are known and renowned around college campuses to be the best of times and the worst of times. We get to go home for three weeks to be stuffed with tons of non-dining hall foods, given lots of gifts, and not be burdened with thoughts of college courses. We also are subjected to the terribly wonderful situation that is spending time with our extended families. While we love them dearly, they often make us dread the expected holiday get together. Here are just five reasons why our relatives make us kind of hate the holidays:
1. They have so many questions.
It seems like all your relatives want to do from the time you walk in the door until the last bit of pie has been eaten is ask you about everything. Your classes, your GPA, your friends, you boyfriend or lack thereof. You can never escape the interrogation that is eating a holiday meal with your cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.
2. All those questions and responses are somewhat judgmental.
Not only do they ask a million and one questions, but they also all have a certain tone to them. Like instead of just simply asking if you’re seeing anyone, it sounds more like, “What’s wrong with you? Why are you still single?” As if your singularity is some sort of problem. Or their impeccable ability to respond to any good news with an “oh wow!” that sounds sort of like a big “ who cares?!” They never seem to understand or be impressed with any answer you have to their inquisition.
3. They still treat you like a kid.
We all have that one aunt or uncle who still waits until we walk in the door just to still call us by our nickname from when we were five, tease us uncontrollably, and talk to us like we will forever be the baby of the family. You’re in your 20’s and still subjected to the shame that is the kid’s table. No one really respects or listens to your input in any conversation. Basically any hint of adulthood you have gained while in college is completely dismissed by every member of your family.
4. They don’t understand college at all.
When they do listen to you talk about college and all its wonderful qualities, you have to explain things to the tenth degree. They never understand anything you are saying about assignments, extracurricular activities, or your classes. You have to tell a ten-minute story just to explain one small event in your life at school. Sometimes the seclusion that is the kid’s table is welcomed, because it means you don’t have to explain every detail about your excruciating elective you hate.
5. Family drama is at an all time high.
Some one is always fighting with some one else. Everyone will spend the days tip-toeing around whatever weird disagreement is plaguing the family. You have to get completely briefed beforehand to that you don’t make the mistake of asking Grandma what she got for her birthday because Uncle So-and-So forgot about it. You have to be sure that while your cousins pick on you, you don’t return it with a comment that will offend them or their parents too much or you will instantly become the center of all lectures.
It’s basically either a time where you are surrounded by all of the people you love most having a great time catching up, or a time where you literally count down the days, hours, and minutes until you get to come back to school. Families are so amazing and we really do love and appreciate them dearly, but sometimes they are the people who drive us the craziest. Holidays are no exception to this reality. So do your best to have the happiest of holidays, and try to remember that they just don’t understand.
