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At a family dinner in Austin, I stopped pretending to laugh at my uncle's offensive jokes. The silence was brutal, but the relief was instant.
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hayes.jake1mo ago
How many times have you sat there smiling while your stomach just knots up? Next time, try a flat "wow" or just change the subject to the food. That silence feels awful but it beats feeling awful about yourself later.
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murphy.barbara1mo ago
That part about the silence beating feeling awful later... I used to think keeping the peace was the most important thing. But last year I just stopped fake laughing at my cousin's comments and the world didn't end. It was uncomfortable for a minute, but I slept so much better that night.
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