Attending a Family Reunion: 4 Ways to Get Out of Awkward Situations

It’s family reunion season once again. Whether you’re having it online or IRL, there’s a huge possibility that things will get tense. In case you haven’t mastered dodging the usual “Uy, tumaba ka!” comment from a distant aunt, here’s a useful guide to getting out of awkward encounters. 

You may be spending time with family — people who have known you since you were walking around in diapers — but you still do need to look your best. If you can’t find the motivation to do this, do it for yourself. Think of it as presenting your best self to people who love you but also expect quite a lot from you.

Looking your best and being at your best behavior could help ward off unwanted comments. Seeing you all dressed up may influence them to think of it as a more formal family gathering, and in turn, behave in a more “proper” manner.

Arrive with glowing skin by using Pond's Triple Glow Serum — and start now. It has Gluta-Boost C, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid that brighten, soften, and hydrate the skin. It leaves a dewy finish after first use while nourishing the skin with every application.

You can’t expect people to be all sunshine and butterflies around you if you act like a massive black hole sucking the joy out of everybody. If you’re always the butt of pintas and okray, perhaps it’s also worth looking at your attitude and outward disposition. If you start acting defensively the moment you arrive at your family reunion, people are going to sense it. (Maritesses can sense fear. Charot.) Instead, try taking the Joker’s advice: Smile, it confuses people. 

Flash a winning smile with the right toothpaste. The best whitening toothpaste should have ingredients that can lighten stains and fight yellowing. closeup Natural Smile Toothpaste has lemon essence and sea salt, which helps whiten your teeth and gives you a naturally bright smile.

Moreover, don’t sweat the small stuff. Use Rexona 3-in-1 Deo Powder Aloe Soothe, which protects you from odor and sweat even when you’re under immense stress. It’s also gentle on your skin and non-staining on clothes.

Strangers bash even seemingly perfect people online all the time. Being flawed is not the problem and being called out for it is also irrelevant. What’s important — and what affects your wellbeing — is how you react to it. Chances are you already know what kind of negative comments could come your way. Perhaps you gained a little bit of weight (who hasn’t!). Maybe you’ve been job-hopping and haven’t quite found what you’re looking for (that’s okay, too!). Knowing your worth is all that matters.

Meet awkward situations with a hair flip — and make sure it’s impressive by using TRESemmé Keratin Smooth KERA10 Smoothing Mask. It has KERA10 Protein Complex that nourishes hair up to 10 layers deep, leaving it shiny, smooth, and healthy. 

One of the golden rules of life is “never bite the hand that feeds you.” Literally. If you want to get on everyone’s good side without really trying too hard, bring them food. Good food. If you’re Filipino and your family is very Filipino, this is a no-brainer. Avoid bringing food that some of your relatives may see as strange, like vegan paella or no-meat lechon. Stick to the familiar favorites to keep them in their comfort zones so you can sit pretty in yours. It is the same thing with dinner table topics, by the way. 

You don’t have to be at the mercy of tactless relatives at your family reunion. Having fun is completely up to you. A simple adjustment in attitude and perspective (and realizing that they usually do mean well) can make all the difference.