Holiday Hack: Can “Gray Rocking” Help You Avoid Family Fights?

We see extended family a lot more this time of year . . . including the ones we’d rather NOT see. Could this strategy help you avoid a fight?

The term “GRAY ROCKING” is in the news. The idea is you avoid emotional arguments by intentionally being as BORING as a “gray rock.”

A writer for the “Associated Press” talked to experts about it, and not all of them think it’s a good idea. It can backfire and cause tension. Or it can leave you even more stressed if you do it too much.

But in a pinch, it might help you avoid that tense conversation with someone you only see once a year. Basically, just don’t engage.

Talking politics is a good example: Instead of taking the bait, say something like, “Hmm, interesting opinion. So, how’s work?”

The idea is to NOT give them the reaction or attention they want. Just be boring . . . sidestep it completely . . . and move on to something else.