Undudely House Guests

[Ava]

I have some family visiting this weekend and my stomach is already in a knot.  They argue between themselves, are judgemental and mean.  I haven't invited them for a long time since they stress me out.  How do you all keep your inner dude chilled out when you are spending a couple of days with people who yank yer chain?   

[Cookie_Dude]

bottoms up, helluva caucasians can do abit to help the situation, but dont have too much

[Rev.Wendy aka The Dude a-Rides]

Simple: I don't invite them 

[meekon5]

Or keep your house in such a mess they never want to come in anyway. 

[Ava]

Have put it off for several years, but now the launch sequence has been activated and Bitchfest 2010 is just around the corner...Better check and make sure the bar is stocked. 

[Rev.Wendy aka The Dude a-Rides]

Adhere to a strict drug regimen  

[meekon5]

Yep best way to deal with relatives is to be so pissed and stoned it doesn't matter.

[Klaus Korters]

Just bugger off somewhere for the time they're stayin'.

[pirate]

dude just tell them to chill out and then fire up a large one and share it

[Nekonix]

"How do you all keep your inner dude chilled out when you are spending a couple of days with people who yank yer chain?"

I don't let them yank my chain. I believe that emotion is preceded by thought. And by controlling our thoughts we control our emotions. We assign emotions to certain actions and tell ourselves that's how we "ought" to feel, and so we do. Once you become fully convinced that their opinions are just their own and are unimportant to yours, then they will no longer have the ability to yank yer chain.

Of course, this is easy to say and sometimes not so easy to do. You just have to keep reminding yourself of what is truly important.

[not_exactly_a_lightweight]

Yoga.
free the mind,
settle the hate thoughts racing,
the pulse,
the breath,
think and breathe,
breathe and see people how they should be seen,
yoga.
And a bottle of Vodka.

[Caesar dude]

They argue between themselves, are judgemental and mean.

Oh Ava Dude, if they do this just abide....your smile will get you through.!

I once had to spend Christmas day with some very undudely relatives (these guys were telling a 6 year old  "to be careful with the wrapping paper, we can save it for next year!"

We were living in the Middle East at this time and by 9am me and the ex were drinking vodka outside in a temperature exceeding 32C....by 10am we were so wasted that the rest of the day passed in a blur of studiously ignoring the pious idiots!

Peace peace peace to you lady! 

[Ava]

Decided to try the dog whisperer's advice and to let go of my expectation that there would be mental & social strife during the visit.  Didn't want to make a self fulfilling prophecy of tension.  Turns out, that really helped.  I also planned heavily for the occasion.  Making food ahead of time and having a flexible agenda mapped out relieved conflict.  I drank, too.  Was able to laugh at most of the nutty shit, and I'll live to celebrate another Hallmark holiday.    Thanks for everyones 2 cents! 

[meekon5]

Decided to try the dog whisperer's advice and to let go of my expectation that there would be mental & social strife during the visit.....

Ah the old "careful what you wish for because it's bound to happen", especially if you think it's going to be bad.

[Robert the Dude]

The Dude abides in you, Ava!