Home for the Holidays...
Home for the Holidays…
It was that time of the year, a time of deception, lies, hidden motives and best of all fake smiles: the holidays. I am not a pessimistic man, the holidays are a familial season in which I am surrounded by those I love and cherish, but they are overcastted by the former. Children are told the stories of Santa Claus, enlightening their imaginations and hindering their perception. Used as a tool to control a child’s behavior, parents threaten their children with lies that they won’t be getting any presents from Mr. Claus if they are bad, shifting the disciplining to an imaginary figure. And yet all parents continue this tradition, probably never issuing the dreaded coal. We build on the fantasy of this white Christmas and joyous holiday with laughter and smiles and presents. But are we really getting presents or just coal wrapped in fancy paper when we come home for the holidays?
Parents come through my work everyday and during this merry season all I hear is anxiousness of their children’s return. Of course prodding and questioning about their plans is essential, one must exert every detail. Lastly of course, with a smile, one makes sure to tell the parents to send the “children” on over to say hello. This is probably the best part of the holidays.
Once a person enters the store I can see just exactly what they are after.
One is often greeted with great enthusiasm by the people of their past. In the excitement they are sure to ask how you have been, what school you are at, how is school, and what are your plans, and add salt to the wound with “when are we going to hang out?” These silly tangos between acquaintances upset my already long days. These people don’t keep in touch and expect one to drop everything in order to pick up where one left off, but has the friendship always been a façade? There are deeper motivations at work just under the surface of the mistletoe.
Scandals, “celebrities,” and rumors are held steadfast in a town, and when its children return, they quickly come out of hibernation. When “friends” attempt to organize luncheons or small dinners and happen to work in another person, who may be the talk of the town, one quickly finds how they measure up. Being used to lessen the awkwardness of a situation is not something I am a stranger to and I am sure we have all been there. But the aspect that surprises me is the lengths some will go to give their time in their hometown “meaning,” feigning “close” friendships and wasting the time of those too naïve to catch on. Instead we put on our warmest scarves, are most fragrant perfumes, and luxurious coats to heat up the cold and endure these empty meeting.
But with every familiar face, whether a true friend or not, I am always sure to show off my pearly whites. For the icy shine of a fake smile is the pinnacle of deception, lies, and the holidays. For with as many acquaintances as I am sure to run into, it is an attribute I have perfected, and coupled with empty conversation, it proves to be the best gesture of a long term friend-çade. So with the holidays I do wish everyone the best and the happiest new year, I say with the brightest smile on my face.
It was that time of the year, a time of deception, lies, hidden motives and best of all fake smiles: the holidays. I am not a pessimistic man, the holidays are a familial season in which I am surrounded by those I love and cherish, but they are overcastted by the former. Children are told the stories of Santa Claus, enlightening their imaginations and hindering their perception. Used as a tool to control a child’s behavior, parents threaten their children with lies that they won’t be getting any presents from Mr. Claus if they are bad, shifting the disciplining to an imaginary figure. And yet all parents continue this tradition, probably never issuing the dreaded coal. We build on the fantasy of this white Christmas and joyous holiday with laughter and smiles and presents. But are we really getting presents or just coal wrapped in fancy paper when we come home for the holidays?
Parents come through my work everyday and during this merry season all I hear is anxiousness of their children’s return. Of course prodding and questioning about their plans is essential, one must exert every detail. Lastly of course, with a smile, one makes sure to tell the parents to send the “children” on over to say hello. This is probably the best part of the holidays.
Once a person enters the store I can see just exactly what they are after.
One is often greeted with great enthusiasm by the people of their past. In the excitement they are sure to ask how you have been, what school you are at, how is school, and what are your plans, and add salt to the wound with “when are we going to hang out?” These silly tangos between acquaintances upset my already long days. These people don’t keep in touch and expect one to drop everything in order to pick up where one left off, but has the friendship always been a façade? There are deeper motivations at work just under the surface of the mistletoe.
Scandals, “celebrities,” and rumors are held steadfast in a town, and when its children return, they quickly come out of hibernation. When “friends” attempt to organize luncheons or small dinners and happen to work in another person, who may be the talk of the town, one quickly finds how they measure up. Being used to lessen the awkwardness of a situation is not something I am a stranger to and I am sure we have all been there. But the aspect that surprises me is the lengths some will go to give their time in their hometown “meaning,” feigning “close” friendships and wasting the time of those too naïve to catch on. Instead we put on our warmest scarves, are most fragrant perfumes, and luxurious coats to heat up the cold and endure these empty meeting.
But with every familiar face, whether a true friend or not, I am always sure to show off my pearly whites. For the icy shine of a fake smile is the pinnacle of deception, lies, and the holidays. For with as many acquaintances as I am sure to run into, it is an attribute I have perfected, and coupled with empty conversation, it proves to be the best gesture of a long term friend-çade. So with the holidays I do wish everyone the best and the happiest new year, I say with the brightest smile on my face.