how do you deal with nosy relatives when visiting from out of town for the holidays???
813892
Tell them you are having problems with a poltergeist, who is moving objects around. You had ( a ghost-busters team) install nanny cams throughout the house in order to capture movements. You don't know locations of the nanny cams, so ask them to keep this in mind when having sex or whatever. lol
429232
Wow!  I know how that can be stressful.  Take them to a quiet restaurant where there won't be too much noise, maybe call ahead and see if you can get a quiet corner reserved.  Or, plan to get take-out from a nice place, lots of them have curbside service now, and have dinner in your parents' or the new in-laws' house (not sure who's coming where) that way you won't have to cook, but the environment is just you guys.  But the good thing about being at a restaurant is if things are kind of akward, you have a natural ending time, at the end of the meal when its time to leave, and no one has to feel weird about kicking anyone out.\n\nGood luck, hope it goes well.
768103
Lots of sympathy here for you.  I only  hug immediate family and dogs by choice.\n\nWhen you get there, try to walk in with other arriving guests, then act like you REALLY need to pee and beeline for the bathroom.  Most of the potential maulers have short attention spans and if you don't hug them immediately, they forget about it.\n\nYou can also be the first people there and help out in the kitchen or something until everyone has arrived and settled in.\n\nIf someone comes to you with that gleam in their eyes, tell them you've been looking for them and just had to ask them a question.  Grab their hands while speaking.  Distract them and make them feel important.\n\nIf someone has a baby, ask to hold it.  They're less likely to accost you if they see a tiny human in your arms.\n\nGood luck!
877103
You polite?  Christ, now I've heard it all... anyway the way I deal with them is to say the following: \n\n"I'm busy can I call you back at around 11 tonight"\nThey will usually reply and say I'm not here then, I'm at home\n"oh give me your home number then and I will call you there"\nThey say we can't give out our home numbers\n"oh can I not call you at home then?"\nno\n"what makes you think you can fecking call me at home then you daft feckwit?" \n\nNormally they hang up.
414149
Avoid them like the plague!  You're outnumbered.  If you MUST be with them, respect them and show them by example, how NORMAL people would react.\nEVERY family has a couple odd-balls!
873066
This would hurt my feelings too, and I completely understand.   yes, I think it was mean to bring that stuff up about the cruise.  They know you can not afford it, and obviously they know you were not invited, so it was rude to talk about it at the dinner table.  They could mention it to you sometime, but should not make a whole conversation revolve around that.  I think that's very rude when people do this.  it leaves you in a position where you either have to change the subject or be quiet!  \n      I think they are being insensitive to you.  I am sorry you are in that situation.  My family and I have not always gotten along.  My mother treated me like dirt after I got married (before I had kids).  Mainly because of disagreements that occurred over wedding plans!  To this day, i don't think she'll ever get over the things that did not go her way for that wedding.  However, enough time has passed (almost 10 years) and there are now 3 grandkids.  \n  I would distance myself because I don't think they will understand how you feel.  Are there other people you could spend the holidays with?  I would go see the family but spend only a short time there and be civil and nice, and get it over with.  But emotionally, I would not invest anything in them.  If someone says something hurtful, just keep your expression blank or walk away.  \n    You need to spend time with people who really care about you.
1017348
avoid your cousin...ignore them.  let your cousin know that you are not a doormat, and that you don't have to take it!
548485
You can't, Honey..  No matter what you say or how you say it, they will become defensive and tell themselves that you are just interfering.  You can be there if and when that family member needs you.. and sometimes they will need to talk.  If they ASK your opinion, feel free to give it.. but know that often times, people will ask even though they aren't prepared for the answer.
616776
Be genuine to them! Don't over show about anything.Be down to earth..Show your belief in the family institution before them.And one more imp thing......try to make them laugh!
908997
No.  Just explain the situation to him in a similar manner as you have done here and he should be understanding.  My family lives out of town also, but when they come, we always spend more time with them because we only see them once a year.  If the roles were reversed, I'm sure he would expect the same from you.  \n\nTell his family that you will have them over for dinner at your place either before or after they go to the cabin, so it doesn't seem that you don't want to spend the holidays with them either.
355523
I cetainly wouldn't tolerate anyone going thru my things, I'd call her on that one, but as far as playing the big Sister role...she just may think because you are surrounded by brothers, you may want the "sisterly" advice...once you set her straight on the privacy issue, and she continues to "snoop", THEN tell your Bro, he wouldn't want your friends going thru his stuff either....as far as the "big sister" role goes, that probably won't last too long... and she may not either, chances are if she's annoying you this much already, she's probably annoying your other brothers in some way or another as well.....
988949
I know exactly what you are talking about.  How inconsiderate can some people be? They are really putting you in an akward place by just showing up but I think you should tell them your house is full and give them the name of the sleziest hotel in town for them to spend the night and maybe next time they will be the first to RSVP.
69058
My mom used to pack us off to the park (I was the oldest and in charge) and spend time sleeping or cleaning up the house in peace. Possibly, you could stage a weekend sleep over at their cousin's house or someone you trust. Best of luck.\nK.
360100
confront them!\nthey invaded your privacy, and abused your trust.\nif it is possible, i would suggest moving, because you dont know what else they get into when your not around, or how often they do it.
387769
I tell them I was not expecting you! I am really not up to company right now. ____day would be much better. Could you come in the morning or afternoon?(smiling):)\n\nSomething along those lines. I don't like to fabricate stories and I am not afraid to hurt feelings as it is extremely rude to stop by any ones home unannounced.\n\nGuarantee it won't happen again.
931096
DO NOT TRUST THEM. I don't want to see your story in the paper! I don't want to get an Amber Alert on your baby. Keep him with you. If he wants to see his grandparents, go with him, meet them in a neutral place, and DO NOT leave him alone with them. You're being very smart to wonder about it. Be careful. And, of all times to need him close, it's at a family holiday like Thanksgiving. You need his company way worse than they do.
732263
On the embarassing questions, you could just stare at the questioner, with an apalled look on your face, for a long time, then say "Isn't that a little personal?\n\nYou can lie, too.\n"So, tell me, when are you getting married and giving us a grand-niece?"\n"Gosh, Aunty Mable, after my motorcycle accident I can't have children - didn't I tell you?"\n\nThat, or blow the present money on first-class air fare to a place you've always wanted to see and send the family a nice post card.\n\nOther people's problems are always easier to solve than my own. I just slide out of the room when my Aunt Marian comes into it.