How to deal with annoying relatives

who doesn’t have one annoying relative? A spinster aunt who keeps asking when you’re getting married or an uncle who insists that you be a partner in his business? Relatives like this almost everyone has and it’s not always easy to deal with them. To avoid headaches without leaving cordiality aside, follow our tips and avoid family hassles.

1 – Avoid controversial topics

One of the ways to avoid discussions is to leave aside subjects that may generate some conflict of opinions such as religion and football. Prefer lighter subjects and that have the possibility to please the majority without dividing them into groups with very divergent opinions.

Also in this regard, when someone brings up a topic that could end up in a very heated argument, get rid of the topic by suggesting some other topic that is easier to deal with.

One topic that relatives are usually happy to share with no major problems is childhood; talking about this time of life usually makes people more homesick and happy, making them discuss it in a constructive and friendly way.

2 – If they fill you with questions…

Despite questions like “When are you getting married?” or “When are you going to have a baby?” can be very irritating, these questions are usually intended to show interest and excitement in the events in your life. However, if it bothers you, try to speak in a subtle way and without irony that the person will be the first to know when this happens because you know how important this news would be to him or her.

3 – Follow the customs

To avoid annoyance, when receiving guests or visiting a relative’s home, do as everyone else does and follow family customs. Remember that the more you rebel at this time, the more attention you will get and the more they will want to convince you to change your attitude. Therefore, “when in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

4 – Praise those who least expect a compliment

You know that annoying aunt who always picks you up, teases your hair, talks bad about your boyfriend and still insists that you need to change jobs? Well, that’s the one you have to praise from the first moment you meet. There is no better weapon against the grumpy attitude of relatives like that. A compliment disarms the person and consequently they won’t attack you with their rash judgments and advice you didn’t ask for.

5 – If they insist on advising you

Advice is generally welcome, but not all, is it? Often relatives give advice in order to help, however they don’t know all the details of the situation that make a big difference. However, rejecting advice right away can seem like teenage rebellion and can bring you a headache, as they will try to convince you that they are right. So when you hear advice say, “That’s a good idea.” This way you just acknowledge that the suggestion was good, but you don’t commit to following it.

Anyway, family is like that. There are boring people and nice people, but they are all part of the same family. That’s why it’s important to be patient, especially with older people, and to treat everyone with respect. This way you prevent them from disrespecting you too.