Why do people pretend to be pleasant and kind during the Xmas holidays?

Question

Is Xmas kindness a pathology?

Answer 1

Interesting question. Speaking for myself (that's' all we can do) I don't like much of anything about Christmas. No other holiday creates the stress, the greed, and the chaos. I don't like the traffic, the crowds, or the fact that Christmas is not an elective holiday...you either participate, or you're a Scrooge and a Grinch. To some degree, I think most people agree, at least on some things...I can see it on their faces in the checkout lines and everywhere else.
So...I make a determined effort not to add to their misery. I smile when someone blocks the isle, I hold the door, allow cars to merge in traffic...and so on. I am not smiling because I enjoy Christmas: I smile because most people appreciate it. Call it pretense or a pathology if you want, but I do not feel compelled to follow my feelings as if they are a ring in my nose. The fact is, my insignificant acts of kindness help me and those around me deal with a difficult time of year. Now...the day AFTER christmas...that's when I smile for me.

Answer 2

Pavlov-Classical Conditioning Theory. We were taught as youth if we were good around Christmas we would recieve presents, so everytime christmas comes around everyone is nice.

COMPONENTS OF CLASSICAL CONDITIONING
The easiest place to start is with a little example. Consider a hungry dog who sees a bowl of food. Something like this might happen:

Food ---> Salivation
The dog is hungry, the dog sees the food, the dog salivates. This is a natural sequence of events, an unconscious, uncontrolled, and unlearned relationship. See the food, then salivate.

Now, because we are humans who have an insatiable curiosity, we experiment. When we present the food to the hungry dog (and before the dog salivates), we ring a bell. Thus,


Bell
with
Food ---> Salivation
We repeat this action (food and bell given simultaneously) at several meals. Every time the dog sees the food, the dog also hears the bell. Ding-dong, Alpo.
Now, because we are humans who like to play tricks on our pets, we do another experiment. We ring the bell (Ding-dong), but we don't show any food. What does the dog do? Right,


Bell ---> Salivate
The bell elicits the same response the sight of the food gets. Over repeated trials, the dog has learned to associate the bell with the food and now the bell has the power to produce the same response as the food. (And, of course, after you've tricked your dog into drooling and acting even more stupidly than usual, you must give it a special treat.)
This is the essence of Classical Conditioning. It really is that simple. You start with two things that are already connected with each other (food and salivation). Then you add a third thing (bell) for several trials. Eventually, this third thing may become so strongly associated that it has the power to produce the old behavior

Answer 3

Friend - Why do you assume that anyone is pretending? For some Christmas is a happy time of year, with family, friends, party's and good times. For some it is a deeply spiritual time full of love and meaning. For others it can be a rough time, but they do not necessarily attempt to pretend to be pleasant and kind just because its Christmas. The best answer is not to try and assume you know people's motivations for what they do or to categorize them all as doing the same thing. GB

Answer 4

Just in case Santa is watching.....

Just kidding. People often get caught up in the holiday spirit, and it's easy to respond to others who are being pleasant and kind, by doing the same in return. If that's a pathology, then maybe we need more pathological stimulants of this nature.

Answer 5

Aw, what a terrible way to look at it!

I see things in exactly the opposite way. I think the holidays put most people in a better mood for lots of reasons--they are inspired by the story of Christmas, excited to see family, happy about an upcoming break from work or school, the prospect of a few gifts...lots of things!

I know there are people for whom the holidays are a sad and lonely time, and this wouldn't necessarily apply to them. But I think that most people feel a little extra cheerful and full of goodwill toward men (and women) this time of year--that's why you're seeing kindness surrounding you.

Answer 6

regardless of your informative 'question', i'm specific there will be a large variety of folk who interpret yule or chuffed holidays in yet in a distinctive way (negatively)'. approximately chuffed holidays, i certainly do no longer care in the event that they are indignant. First, it particularly is an incredible sufficient greeting/word and 2d, if i'm no longer a Xian yet human beings say 'Merry yule' fairly to me, why is that no longer seen an insult? as far because of the fact the 'X' is going, whilst i take advantage of it, it particularly is for abbreviation purposes purely. in the event that they choose to be insulted by it whilst that wasn't the objective, sigh, so be it...you are able to no longer please each and every physique.

Answer 7

Oh dude I so agree. I don't understand it either but I do think there is a bit of brainwashing involved. Seriously though, this time of year is probably one of the more stressful times so people stop pretending!

I also really don't like the Christmas music on the radio starting before thanksgiving!

**It's fine to be happy or sad or whatever just don't be fake about it..that's all.

Answer 8

why do you think people are pretending. Christmas draws us together and --for awhile---makes us want to be really pleasant and kind.

Answer 9

It's safer than going "postal" after hearing "Jingle Bells' for the 947th time.

Answer 10

I believe they do it for the mear fact that everyone one else is doing it. Like mass kindness...but there are still "scrooges" out there who are never happy.