Last year at this time, I published an article by Suzanne Falter-Barns called How to Protect Your Dream at Dysfunctional Family Get-Togethers. It bears re-reading now.
Beyond the dysfunctional family, 'tis also the season of dysfunctional consumer stress. I've noticed that many people use the season as an excuse to take out their stress on others. Working in retail this year, I've seen a lot of it. I can't tell you how many people I've seen "snap" in the past week - at clerks, other motorists, co-workers, family members, you name it.
I guess the best we can do, both as retailers and personally is to calmly apologize and fix the problem if we've made a mistake OR recognize that it's not our problem and get on with it. Recognize that a customer, friend, spouse, co-worker, ex-spouse, or family member's holiday temper tantrum is ultimately about them, not you. Adults often want to draw you into their tantrums so you'll validate their reality. Luckily, you get to choose what you want to experience.
Go read the article now. Read it with a light heart, knowing that the season of holiday stress, be it familial or societal, is culturally-induced and laden with a lot of emotional baggage for many people. There's nothing right or wrong, good or bad, here...just choices that we all control for ourselves.
'Tis the season of stress. 'Tis the season of peace. Take your pick.
Ann, who is still elbow deep in shortbread, and feeling 99.9% peaceful
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