Do you feel uncomfortable sitting next to someone (you do not know well) and not talking?

Question

On Holidays I am always seated next to Jeff the Minister who is married to my sister. He is incredibly arrogant, aloof, and superior acting. They say he is a true intellectual. One of those people who goes to the academic Library to check out a 1000 page scholarly Journal.

Being he is my age and a fellow man I am always sitting next to him but making conversation is incredibly difficult. I try to bring up interesting topics of conversation but I usually get bored looks, long stares, sighs and and rolling eyes. I need to get along with him to not get my Aunt and Grandma angry, but he is really a piece of work.

How would you deal with someone like him? If you reply ignore him or sit somewhere else, I will accept your answer as the easy way out.

Answer 1

Consider this..

He's a minister. He has chosen to believe in and base his whole life around a set of cuckoo ideas about virgin births, water changing to wine, heaven and h**l, without a shred of evidence. He believe this stuff because he was told it and was too gullible to check out whether it was true.

On almost any aspect of relgious theory, he is flat out wrong. Gods don't exist. The trinity is hokum. Praying doesn't work.

He sounds a bit snooty also.

Just because people say he's smart, doesn't mean he is.

  

Answer 2

Just keep to yourself.  If someone asks you something then respond.  Don't play the stooge to Mr.puffed shirt.

Answer 3

Ignoring or sitting somewhere else would not help the problem. That would mean that your just avoiding the problem.

I have family members like your brother-in-law also. They are always on their high horse so I know you know what I mean. You say that you try initiating conversation with interesting topics, but you get bored looks. Dont try to choose a topic because you dont know what interests them. The thing that interests them the most is THEMSELVES because they know all the answers about that topic. The best thing to do is just ask questions. Ask how is work going? How was their last vacation? Or ask his opinion on a current event.

Its not that difficult to make these family dinners go by smoothly. Just ask questions and smile.

Answer 4

Personally, I believe in the bold approach. Get into a religious discussion with him. Are your beliefs the same as his? If not, you just got your interesting conversation. Plus the rest of the family in an uproar which is what makes the holidays with family so enjoyable. =)

Answer 5

Spend the holidays elsewhere - why submit yourself to his b.s.?