Perhaps you have a pending family reunion, or a distant cousin is getting married, or maybe you've got yet another holiday dinner approaching where you will encounter family members you don't see or speak with for the remainder of the year. Regardless of the reasons why you'll be spending time with relatives, it is bound to be more enjoyable and less stressful if you can find things in common other than your bloodline.
Finding Things to Talk About
Step 1
Catch up on news and current events before your gathering. Maud Purcell, LCSW, of Psych Central suggests that you'll have an easier time making conversation if you know what topics people are currently talking about. Plus, being up-to-date on current affairs gives you an opening in those awkward situations when you end up facing a relative you know little about.
Step 2
Ask open-ended questions about the person with whom you are speaking. What was her favorite part of the meal? How far did she have to travel to get to your destination? Questions like these give your relative the opportunity to reveal more about herself, which allows you to discover what interests or experiences you may have in common.
Step 3
Talk about your own interests or recent experiences. Did you have a crazy experience at the gym the other day, or did you see something funny while out jogging the other morning? Revealing more about yourself gives your relatives a chance to see what they may have in common with you, says Psych Central.
Step 4
Discuss family history. If all else fails, the one thing you know you have in common is that you are related. The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions suggests that family gatherings may be a good time to bring up family health history so everyone in the family is aware of potential issues.
Tips and Warnings
- Relax and be yourself. Have an "escape plan" if you anticipate difficulty in disengaging from family members. Remember that you can't choose your relatives, but you can choose how much time you spend with them.
- Avoid controversial topics like politics or religion.
