With Thanksgiving nearly upon us and Christmas fast approaching, many of us are on edge about how to deal with difficult personalities during the holidays. So, it’s normal for holiday preparations to be filled with excitement and some anxiety.
Although these people will be mostly family, many of them will have different and dare I say “special” personalities. However, don’t fret.
Instead, get informed about some of the problematic personalities you may encounter at your dinner table and how you can manage them.
The Hardcore
They are aggressive, hostile and argumentative. Being with people who have this kind of personality is like having a time bomb in your hands.
You’ll never know what could light their fuse and cause them to explode. The hardcore is likely to make the whole room tense with their erratic behavior and tantrums.
They’ll be the first to get upset when a conversation isn’t going in a way that pleases them. If it turns into an argument, they will also refuse to back down and will often resort to verbal abuse.
The best way to handle this personality at your dinner table is to tread with caution.
With them, you should set clear boundaries early enough. Also, use their name while addressing them to maintain a level of control.
Passive Aggressive
People with this personality are manipulators. They are also smart and will avoid being direct with their criticism.
They often use sarcasm disguised in the form of a joke as a tool. They will most likely remain in the background and undermine your authority.
Once they’re in the spotlight, they’ll put a stop to the critical remarks. Remember, if there’s nowhere to hide and all attention is on them, they most likely will retreat.
If you have this personality at your Thanksgiving dinner, make sure you ask them questions. They will be quick to put their behavior in check when you ask them questions.
The Nonplayer
They are one of the most challenging personalities to have at your table. Having them over for dinner may be a calm experience.
However, it’s difficult to know what they’re thinking or feeling. You probably will be at a loss with them and will worry if they are having a good time or not.
Ask those open-ended questions that will encourage them to talk.
They will never initiate a conversation. So, you’ll need to be in charge here and make an effort to carry them along.
The most important thing is to keep them engaged in the conversation until they feel confident enough to loosen up.
The Know It All
The know it all can also be challenging to be around. It’s their most rooted belief they know everything.
Having them in any gathering can be exhausting if not annoying. This personality feels superior and is argumentative.
With them, every conversation will turn into an argument in record time. They will also go at it for hours relentlessly till you give in to their side of the argument.
Don’t be surprised if you find them disagreeing with popular opinion in every conversation at the table. Although they are also full of life and entertaining, it can be a tiring experience to have heated conversations in a thankful atmosphere.
If they somehow manage to start an argument, use plurals such as “we” and “us” instead of “you” and “I.” It will give them a bit of superiority which can make the discussion lighter.
On the other hand, if you’re ready for an endless argument with them, come to the table prepared. Have your facts prepared because they will not back down.
The Baby
The babies are another tough personality to have at your holiday dinner. They are filled with so much negativity and will whine and complain about everything.
They lack confidence in themselves and believe no one takes them seriously. The best way to handle this personality is to listen to what they have to say.
Show interest and let them know you care about their opinion.
Limit eye contact with them when they ask a negative question. If possible, throw the question to everyone at the table.
Draw their attention to the positive side of the situation without forgetting to state the facts clearly. Ignoring difficult people prevents them from changing.
On the other hand, refusing to indulge their behavior may help them improve. Preparing yourself to deal with people with different difficult personalities sharpens your mind and coping mechanisms.
More so, it will allow you to have a quiet and peaceful holiday season. Above all, it’s essential to know when someone has more than just a problematic personality and requires the help of a professional.
Depending on your relationship with them, you can advise the person to seek professional help. Remember what the holiday is for as you celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Don’t get distracted about what isn’t essential and be thankful for the things in your life.
It may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also one of the most stressful. Want to keep stress at bay and stay holly jolly? Use these six tips to prepare for the holidays.
