Thanksgiving, or as I like to call it, interrogation giving, is right around the corner. I am not sure if it is an unspoken rule of family members to question you on your life choices during this holiday or if it is just a coincidence that they all do it…every year. Your mom wonders why you do not want to come down from your room but the second you do you start being interviewed by several family members. It happens to the best of us, it would be a good idea to start preparing now.
The “what are you doing with your life” conversation: This one used to not scare me as much when I was a freshman or sophomore and even not so much as a junior. But now that I am a senior and Thanksgiving marks one semester left until I am released into the real world, this conversation makes me nauseous. I do not even know what I want for Christmas let alone what I want to do for the rest of my life! This would be a good time to whip out your elevator pitch if you have one, and if you do not…get to work.
The “why are you still single” conversation: This one is always awkward because it is not so easy to respond with “I am in a relationship…with Netflix and chocolate ice cream.” You can always turn this one around on your aunt and ask why she is still single with 13 cats in a five-bedroom house. You can just as easily make up some complex response having something to do with your independence and confidence. Or, you can simply say that you do indeed have a significant other and his name is Chuck. Your family does not need to know that you are talking about Chuck Bass.
The “what is with your new style” conversation: It is obvious to anyone with eyesight that most older family members are not exactly in with the latest trends so do not let this one get to you. I have gotten made fun of for the feathers in my hair, UGG boots, oversized sweaters, sweater dresses, etc. You name it, I have worn it and have been made fun of for it. But little do they know that what I was wearing was what everyone else was wearing. Plus the best response to this one is “Family is supposed to love and accept you for who you are!” that will hit your mom right in the feels.
The “what is with the pictures you post on Facebook” conversation: I will be the first to admit that I am friends with all of my family members on Facebook. For the most part they do not question what I do on social media because I give them no reason to. But every once in a while you will get tagged in a questionable picture (or seven) that one of your cousins is sure to bring up at the dinner table. I usually respond with “If you do not like it do not look at it” but I would not advise others to do so. Check out your social media beforehand and just come prepared to defend yourself.
If you are sick of being interrogated at Thanksgiving dinner (or any family dinner for that matter) it is time to put your family in the hot seat. With any question you can respond with a quick, short answer and then turn it on them. So when you are asked what kind of jobs you can get with your major, turn it on them and ask what they majored in. Did they go to college? Did they end up in the same field they majored in? This will hopefully help your family realize that you feel like a murder victim anytime you sit down at the dinner table and therefore the number of questions asked will decrease and the number of compliments you receive will increase.