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Health & Fitness

The Holidays and Family

Family matters, especially with in-laws.

Well, perhaps not your family. I am talking about your in-laws; the family you inherited when you got married to your significant other.  

I have to say, I love my in-laws like they have always been my family. I am comfortable with them, like spending the holidays with them, and we usually have a good time.  

There are those times when, if I were with my own family, I would be less careful with my words, but I'm not quite at that comfort level with my extended family just yet.  

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When I disagree, I attempt to tread lightly because I don't want to start a war because someone misunderstood me. And, usually, I am the type of person who forgives and forgets rather quickly.  

Last night, however, we were talking about something regarding work and people's abilities. My mother-in-law is uber efficient, and expects others to follow suit or at least not hinder her ability to do her job. I tend to fall in line with that train of thought at my own job — let me do my thing and I will do it well and quickly.  

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My brother-in-law then chimes in with his opinion. Both my mother-in-law and I hold office positions...he does not, so he is basing his opinion on something he learned in high school or what he has heard from his mother.  

What we were talking about was typing, and the words per minute clerical staff are tested on in some instances for their jobs.  

When I first got my job, I was required to take one of these tests. The minimum WPM was 35; I believe I ranked somewhere in the 43 or so category, but that was a few years ago and my memory is fuzzy.  

(I did just take an online version of this test, and scored a 55, which is still above average, and considered "fast.")  

I mentioned this to the table, because it was on par with what we were discussing.

My brother-in-law made some snarky remark about how "he could do better" and that he considered that slow.  

I flipped.

It was the first time I snapped, because I felt he didn't know what he was talking about and had no right to voice an opinion on something he has never done as a job. He looked a little shocked. My husband was a little proud and my mother-in-law squashed the whole thing by letting him know that he had insulted me.  

I don't think I will make it a habit of flipping my lid, but how many of you have every just let go and let someone (not even family) know what you're really thinking?  

I intend to go into Christmas Eve with a smile on my face, and forging forward hopefully not discussing the issue again.

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