Why do some people try to make you feel bad during holdays?

treat him EXACTLY like he was just a fancy tape recorder. Look at him and just go do whatever you were doing before his words erupted from his mouth. Make any answer you give him a yes, a no, or an I don't know. And then walk away. Don't make eye contact. Treat him like he didn't exist but somehow manages to make noises every now and then like traffic.

There are so many reasons:

1) Overeating. When people over-eat, sooner or later they will feel miserable or grouchy...

2) High expectations. Watch the TV ads, people are expected to be happy, enjoy good times, etc. No one can live up to all that hype. When people have problems, they are exacerbated during holidays.

3) With all the pressure of holidays (shopping, trying to be happy, trying to get along...) people are like food in a pressure cooker: sooner or later, people with blow up.

As to your specific situation, try to avoid this person as much as possible. You can't make him stop; perhaps you can talk with him (with someone else present) to let him know how he is hurting you. That is about the best you can do.

And, remember: it is not your fault. So, don't feel bad, guilty, or any thing like that.

Good luck!

Ask him if he's ever seen the Nutcracker. If he says no, then kick him in the n---. That'll stop him.

Seriously, all you can really do is let him know that the things he says bother you and you don't care to hear his opinions at this time and walk away. The holidays are a special time to be with family and we all deserve some peace, even if it's for a few days. Just tell him to keep his words to himself as you are enjoying time with your kids.

Sometimes it seems like there are people in your life who aren't happy unless you're miserable. If this person is not happy himself, then maybe the old addage "Misery loves company" is correct! :-) If he's not around your kids at the time, your best defense is to say, "Excuse me" and go over to where your kids are. Any kids in the family are joyful to be around--well, most of the time--so I would spend more time with the kiddies at any family function to keep the positivity up. Or make some excuse to just walk away from the situation. If he asks you why you obviously don't want to talk to him, tell him you can't handle another minute of his positivity and support! (Sarcasm, yes.)

Just ignore him! Theres obviously something wrong with him, so just don't sit near him or really talk to him at all. He shouldn't be making you feel bad during the holidays. And if he does this to a bunch of other people, too, then you should probably talk to him about it. Happy thanksgiving!

Because They Are Just Plain Ignorant

But Most Likely Jealousy

Maybe the holidays are difficult times for him. Kind of reminds me of my father in a lot of ways. I'm not sure what the answer is, but maybe you could just give him space, and let him feel what he needs to feel on his own terms. Is it possible he misses someone in his family that can't be there because of physical distance?

I'm going through the SAME thing .. but with my step-mother in law. She's a monster ... but I can't just not be around her ... she's "family" ...

You know what it is ... some people rejoice when you feel pain and feel pain when you rejoice. He is probably so miserable inside ... "misery likes company" ... that is so true ...

I'm trying to kill my mother in law with kindness :) And it's funny to see her blood boil when I'm doing something kind ... and even though she will try and attack me in some way to get my mood down or make me cry ... I pretend like it doesn't effect me (even though it does) ... I'm hoping that she will eventually give in (or go away --- as terrible as that sounds, it's my biggest wish!!)

Haven't you ever heard the saying misery loves company? If he's a sibling then thats just natural, but maybe he doesn't know he's being insulting. Holidays just make some people pissy, and you should give them space.

Tell him outright that he has made you feel bad. If he isn't sorry and continues to, then you do have a choice of not hanging around with him and giving him the oportunity to make you feel bad.

Maybe he is miserable and wants you to be miserable too, or to feel sorry for him?