photo illustration: Monika MelnychukHoliday family survival guide: The know-it-all
We’ve all heard the saying that father knows best. But whether it’s your dad, uncle, mom or pesky older sister, getting unwanted advice from a family member can trigger feelings of resentment from deep within. “Family members tend to be much more opinionated with one another than they would be with strangers because of the intimacy of family life,” says Sofin. While some advice givers may be coming from a genuine place of helpfulness, others may use this conversation technique as a way to dominate. (Are holiday parties really worth the effort?)
What’s the game plan?
Be gracious, don’t take anything too personally and remember that their intentions are good – either they really want to help or they’re simply looking for a way to communicate with you. “Just dealing with that person might be as simple as saying ‘Thank you, I know you care about my well-being, but I’m not concerned about it at this time,’” says Jacqueline Whitmore, an etiquette expert based in Florida. It isn’t necessary to take their advice to heart, but it is important to appreciate the sentiment. “Then the other person will feel good, you’re out of the conversation and you can move on to somebody else,” adds Sofin.
