Weekend Plus Desk :
Monsoon is over, and the skies are blue. It is the season to be merry with festivities all around. While everyone looks forward to this time of year, it can be stressful for some. Between the crowded markets to family expectations – and from traffic snarls to organising/attending festival parties, we all want the best.
Emotional, physical and psychological stress is part and parcel of this season – with gift hunting, shopping, cleaning, entertaining, travelling, and being with family. The list is endless.
The festivals are synonymous with family, so issues pertaining to family are bound to crop up. Few dread when the conversations drift to comparisons on job promotions, the better car, the better dress, the far more well-behaved kids; or the awkward questions, like when are you getting married?, why don’t you have kids yet?
Some of you may want to shout out loud
Leave me alone but put up that perfect face with a pleasing smile, and some of us have to present themselves as the perfect couple. Don’t worry. Help is at hand. Responding to peer pressure is human nature. Social pressure is when you have to behave, look and act in a particular manner to desperately fit in and get accepted. Some pointers will make your festival enjoyable.
Be a Good Host
Don’t stress yourself on perfectionism. People after 4 to 5 months will not remember your menu, colour scheme, or your dress. All they will remember is how you made them feel. Greet everyone as the guests enter, and introduce others. Get out your best cutlery and crockery, but be prepared for some breakage. Prepare in advance so that you enjoy along with your guests. Remember to have activities for guests who don’t play cards. Remember, as a host you should sit and mingle with everyone and no gossip please. Lastly, your guests are important. Let them take the limelight, so please don’t overdress.
Be a Good Guest
As guests, we should arrive on time – half hour late would be the limit. And know when to leave. Carry a Diwali gift, and self introductions are necessary in all gatherings. Also, don’t monopolise on certain guests and ignore the rest. Remember that you are not the life of the party; you are one of the guests. It’s never okay to drink too much or tell off-colour jokes. Laugh, make small talk, and know your limits as you don’t want to be the talk of the city for the wrong reasons. Don’t forget to thank the host the next day.
Festival parties can be less stressful if you stop comparing yourself with others. There will always be some party better than yours. Someone will dress better or worse. Someone will be richer and poorer, younger and older, prettier or plain. People will always like you for who you are as a person. Trying to outdo others only takes away the fun. Stop comparing and get rid of self doubt. Make contributions to relationships and do not get taken for granted. Relax – after all it’s only a festival party with fun and frolic.
Monsoon is over, and the skies are blue. It is the season to be merry with festivities all around. While everyone looks forward to this time of year, it can be stressful for some. Between the crowded markets to family expectations – and from traffic snarls to organising/attending festival parties, we all want the best.
Emotional, physical and psychological stress is part and parcel of this season – with gift hunting, shopping, cleaning, entertaining, travelling, and being with family. The list is endless.
The festivals are synonymous with family, so issues pertaining to family are bound to crop up. Few dread when the conversations drift to comparisons on job promotions, the better car, the better dress, the far more well-behaved kids; or the awkward questions, like when are you getting married?, why don’t you have kids yet?
Some of you may want to shout out loud
Leave me alone but put up that perfect face with a pleasing smile, and some of us have to present themselves as the perfect couple. Don’t worry. Help is at hand. Responding to peer pressure is human nature. Social pressure is when you have to behave, look and act in a particular manner to desperately fit in and get accepted. Some pointers will make your festival enjoyable.
Be a Good Host
Don’t stress yourself on perfectionism. People after 4 to 5 months will not remember your menu, colour scheme, or your dress. All they will remember is how you made them feel. Greet everyone as the guests enter, and introduce others. Get out your best cutlery and crockery, but be prepared for some breakage. Prepare in advance so that you enjoy along with your guests. Remember to have activities for guests who don’t play cards. Remember, as a host you should sit and mingle with everyone and no gossip please. Lastly, your guests are important. Let them take the limelight, so please don’t overdress.
Be a Good Guest
As guests, we should arrive on time – half hour late would be the limit. And know when to leave. Carry a Diwali gift, and self introductions are necessary in all gatherings. Also, don’t monopolise on certain guests and ignore the rest. Remember that you are not the life of the party; you are one of the guests. It’s never okay to drink too much or tell off-colour jokes. Laugh, make small talk, and know your limits as you don’t want to be the talk of the city for the wrong reasons. Don’t forget to thank the host the next day.
Festival parties can be less stressful if you stop comparing yourself with others. There will always be some party better than yours. Someone will dress better or worse. Someone will be richer and poorer, younger and older, prettier or plain. People will always like you for who you are as a person. Trying to outdo others only takes away the fun. Stop comparing and get rid of self doubt. Make contributions to relationships and do not get taken for granted. Relax – after all it’s only a festival party with fun and frolic.
