How to Be Polite to Annoying Family Members

Spending time with family can be a joy. But for some people, it is a death sentence to spend time with annoying family members. Here are some steps to help you be polite when spending time with annoying family members.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Greet annoying family members with an affectionate hello, a hug or kiss. If you ignore them the rest of the day, at least they will remember your first encounter.
2. Show kindness. If you see your family members in need, offer to help them. This could be as simple as offering a glass of water or helping with dinner. By showing kindness, you soften their attitude and diffuse any potential arguments.
3. Make the first move. Don't always wait for annoying family members to come talk to you. If you talk to them first, then you retain some control over the conversation. This is better than being caught off guard later.
4. Be mindful of your body language and non-verbal actions. Frowning or rolling your eyes will send the message that you do not respect them.
5. Listen to what your family members have to say. You may have heard the same story about Aunt Edna's bunion many times before, but you are being polite just by listening.
6. Speak appropriately. Use respectful words such as yes ma'am and no sir, avoiding foul language or slang terms.

Tips & Warnings

• Basically, put your family members' needs before your own. This is the essence of being polite.
• Being polite does not mean that you should allow your annoying family members to disrupt family gatherings or cause dissension.