Chuseok holiday stress

A high school student and daughter of my acquaintance said she would stay home alone over the Chuseok (Full Moon Harvest) holidays. Ostensibly, she claimed that she had to study for upcoming mid-terms but really wanted to avoid excessive pressure and talk about her studies from adult relatives. When she was younger, she said she enjoyed visiting her father and mother’s families in the provinces to earn pocket money from her relatives in the holiday period. Growing older, however, she said she cannot stand excessive preaching from her relatives. They say things such as, “Since your parents stood out in academic performance when they went to school, you can also enter a prestigious university, right?” Others comment on her appearance, something which can be highly sensitive to a teenage girl, with sayings such as, “Look at you! You`ve already grown up. Since you`re are tall, you weigh 60 kilograms, right?”

Certain people say they return home stressed out after visiting their parents or attending family gatherings with a sense of excitement. In the past, “holiday stress” was unique to housewives because of the piles of household chores such as cooking and dishwashing. Now more people from all walks of life are stressed out because of the holidays. Families and relatives hold friendly chats about the latest personal news for the first time in months, so people are bound to ask questions such as “What is your class rank,” and “When will you have a baby?” Other inquiries are about comparisons of living with others such as apart A high school student and daughter of my acquaintance said she would stay home alone over the Chuseok (Full Moon Harvest) holidays. Ostensibly, she claimed that she had to study for upcoming mid-terms but really wanted to avoid excessive pressure and talk about her studies from adult relatives. When she was younger, she said she enjoyed visiting her father and mother’s families in the provinces to earn pocket money from her relatives in the holiday period. Growing older, however, she said she cannot stand excessive preaching from her relatives. They say things such as, “Since your parents stood out in academic performance when they went to school, you can also enter a prestigious university, right?” Others comment on her appearance, something which can be highly sensitive to a teenage girl, with sayings such as, “Look at you! You`ve already grown up. Since you`re are tall, you weigh 60 kilograms, right?”

Certain people say they return home stressed out after visiting their parents or attending family gatherings with a sense of excitement. In the past, “holiday stress” was unique to housewives because of the piles of household chores such as cooking and dishwashing. Now more people from all walks of life are stressed out because of the holidays. Families and relatives hold friendly chats about the latest personal news for the first time in months, so people are bound to ask questions such as “What is your class rank,” and “When will you have a baby?” Other inquiries are about comparisons of living with others such as apartment size and promotions at work.

Single people and the unemployed feel just as uncomfortable as housewives over the holidays. Certain people even wish that there were no holidays due to mental stress they suffer. According to a survey of 1,343 single people in their 20s and 30s on topics they hate the most, 41.6 percent picked, “Please marry as soon as possible.” A relative who makes such a comment will be less hated if he or she offers the listener a chance at a blind date. Other comments that stress people include “Make a lot of money,” “Get a decent job,” and “Please go on a diet.” The listeners say they are more than stressed out due to these matters.

Adults should be the first to refrain from making excessive inquiries or comments on topics such as college admission, employment and marriage. Even words of affection are better left unsaid if they spoil the sentiment of the listener. People should also understand that relatives mean well in making their comments, and should not respond angrily. Families should exchange gentle and warm dialogue over the Chuseok holidays since they are getting together for the first time in months. Excessive affection and attention can only cause trouble sometimes.

Editorial Writer Koh Mi-seok (mskoh119@donga.com)ment size and promotions at work.

Single people and the unemployed feel just as uncomfortable as housewives over the holidays. Certain people even wish that there were no holidays due to mental stress they suffer. According to a survey of 1,343 single people in their 20s and 30s on topics they hate the most, 41.6 percent picked, “Please marry as soon as possible.” A relative who makes such a comment will be less hated if he or she offers the listener a chance at a blind date. Other comments that stress people include “Make a lot of money,” “Get a decent job,” and “Please go on a diet.” The listeners say they are more than stressed out due to these matters.

Adults should be the first to refrain from making excessive inquiries or comments on topics such as college admission, employment and marriage. Even words of affection are better left unsaid if they spoil the sentiment of the listener. People should also understand that relatives mean well in making their comments, and should not respond angrily. Families should exchange gentle and warm dialogue over the Chuseok holidays since they are getting together for the first time in months. Excessive affection and attention can only cause trouble sometimes.

Editorial Writer Koh Mi-seok (mskoh119@donga.com)