# This is easily my worst Christmas ever. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 24, 2010, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-easily-my-worst-christmas-ever/565321 "2010-12-24T23:32:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-easily-my-worst-christmas-ever/565321/61 "2010-12-28T05:33:43Z")
> [@flickster](#): > > Well, Duffer, you’ve received more than enough of the “Poor Baby” responses. To be honest, all I could picture while reading your OP was the current commercial with the whiner visiting his shrink and the shrink giving him the drill sergeant response… > > Man up, get out of your abode and do something positive. If for no other reason than to change your sniveling attitude. If nothing else, volunteer at a shelter. But for god’s sake, get the F out of the house and start living again. There yah go. Wander the streets during the winter and think warm thoughts… ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-easily-my-worst-christmas-ever/565321/62 "2010-12-28T05:36:53Z")
When you’re feeling bad, it’s easy to stay home by yourself and withdraw. The hard thing to do is to reach out for help, but it’s also the most important. ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-easily-my-worst-christmas-ever/565321/63 "2010-12-28T05:42:11Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > There yah go. Wander the streets during the winter and think warm thoughts… Not exactly doing something with a positive impact that I was recommending ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-easily-my-worst-christmas-ever/565321/64 "2010-12-28T06:06:26Z")
Sometimes this place is like an inkblot test as threads go on for a bit, with people pretty much tossing aside what was said in the original post and filtering the responses through their own biases, mood, whatever. Personally, my husband is divorcing me, and my paternal grandmother died on Boxing Day. How’s that for some mood to filter through? The language in **duffer** ’s first post seems to indicate that not only is his breakup fairly recent, but he’d only gotten the news that he wouldn’t see his child at Christmas within the last day or so. So he doesn’t have food in the house… maybe he was going to see his child elsewhere. He makes a few posts which bemoan his situation, and then says he plans to go to Midnight Mass. That surely sounds like he’s getting out of himself and doing something other than sitting around feeling miserable. I was already saddened by **Mister Owl** ’s I-hope-only-misguided-and-not-malicious responses, but then to see other posters responding similarly? ::shakes my head:: I guess I just don’t think it is necessary for someone to include a sworn disclaimer as to what they are doing to fix their situation before they post a short statement about their melancholy and disappointment at what seems like a really crappy turn in their lives. **duffer** , best of luck to you. I hope this turns out to be the worst Christmas you’ll ever have to remember, that is, may they all be uphill from here. ---
**Author:** ![Walmarticus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Walmarticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walmarticus)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-easily-my-worst-christmas-ever/565321/65 "2010-12-28T06:19:31Z")
> [@flickster](#): > > If for no other reason than to change your sniveling attitude. What sniveling attitude? ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-easily-my-worst-christmas-ever/565321/66 "2010-12-28T06:22:09Z")
**lisacurl** , I think it would be one thing if it was just him, but he’s mentioned being a parent. And even if he was planning on seeing his kid somewhere else, the stuff he’s posted just him look like he has really whacked out priorities for a parent. Being too concerned with getting his DVDs to bother getting food suggests immaturity, as does preferring to buy a Christmas present rather than food. If he can’t even meet his own basic needs, I can see why his ex would feel strange about leaving him with a child. Plus, in an emergency situation where something happened to his ex, would he be able to take his child in a pinch? I do feel bad for the guy but he’s not capable of taking care of himself, let alone his own daughter, and I think he does need to address that. ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-easily-my-worst-christmas-ever/565321/67 "2010-12-28T06:32:39Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > **lisacurl** , I think it would be one thing if it was just him, but he’s mentioned being a parent. And even if he was planning on seeing his kid somewhere else, the stuff he’s posted just him look like he has really whacked out priorities for a parent. Being too concerned with getting his DVDs to bother getting food suggests immaturity, as does preferring to buy a Christmas present rather than food. If he can’t even meet his own basic needs, I can see why his ex would feel strange about leaving him with a child. Plus, in an emergency situation where something happened to his ex, would he be able to take his child in a pinch? I do feel bad for the guy but he’s not capable of taking care of himself, let alone his own daughter, and I think he does need to address that. well said ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-easily-my-worst-christmas-ever/565321/68 "2010-12-28T08:02:37Z")
> [@flickster](#): > > Not exactly doing something with a positive impact that I was recommending sigh… How do you think someone without any money is going to travel in the winter? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-easily-my-worst-christmas-ever/565321/69 "2010-12-28T08:13:13Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > **lisacurl** , I think it would be one thing if it was just him, but he’s mentioned being a parent. And even if he was planning on seeing his kid somewhere else, the stuff he’s posted just him look like he has really whacked out priorities for a parent. Being too concerned with getting his DVDs to bother getting food suggests immaturity, as does preferring to buy a Christmas present rather than food. If he can’t even meet his own basic needs, I can see why his ex would feel strange about leaving him with a child. Plus, in an emergency situation where something happened to his ex, would he be able to take his child in a pinch? I do feel bad for the guy but he’s not capable of taking care of himself, let alone his own daughter, and I think he does need to address that. I personally know someone who ate dog food rather than let his dog starve. He’s doing quite well now. The op would rather go hungry than disappoint his daughter. It is not a function of not feeding her, which would be irresponsible. He’s making a small sacrifice and only wanted to occupy his time away from her with what use to be his property. Since there are free games on-line I would suggest he bounce between those and the want ads and ignore the advise to volunteer his time or dumpster dive for his next meal. Leave the volunteering to the fat-asses who are stuffing their face in front of 900 cable channels. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-easily-my-worst-christmas-ever/565321/70 "2010-12-28T09:15:31Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > When you’re feeling bad, it’s easy to stay home by yourself and withdraw. The hard thing to do is to reach out for help, but it’s also the most important. Yes. Certainly this attempt is going well. I’m really saddened at how obnoxious some of these responses are (not yours Alice). ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-easily-my-worst-christmas-ever/565321/71 "2010-12-28T13:02:39Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > sigh… How do you think someone without any money is going to travel in the winter? For all we know, there could be a shelter he could volunteer at just down the street, within _gasp_ walking distance… Even if there is not, picking up a phone and offering to volunteer may well result in someone picking you up. Positive actions have a habit of creating more of the same ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-easily-my-worst-christmas-ever/565321/72 "2010-12-28T20:40:59Z")
Every volunteer organization I deal with locally wants to at least meet the volunteer before they set them loose on their clients. Most have applications. Even the shelters. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-easily-my-worst-christmas-ever/565321/73 "2010-12-28T21:25:38Z")
I would still bring you something to eat if you were nearby regardless of what happened to get you there. Helping someone when they have problems is useful for the immediate, where as discussion of why they are there is better after the immediate problem is mitigated. You have my best wishes for your future endeavors. I recognize one person can’t always prevent this type situation and acknowledge that some people will never understand this. One day at a time is how you improve and get by through the difficult times. ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Kerrman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/45deac/32.png) [@Joe\_Kerrman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Kerrman)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-easily-my-worst-christmas-ever/565321/74 "2010-12-30T02:36:11Z")
Duffer, I think this is what Mister Owl was trying to say. [YA JACKWAGON!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhlWddAXSRA) 😉 I’m with you, Duffer. It sucks, I hope it gets better, and I believe it will. Love, JK ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-easily-my-worst-christmas-ever/565321/75 "2010-12-30T02:43:41Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I personally know someone who ate dog food rather than let his dog starve. He’s doing quite well now. > > The op would rather go hungry than disappoint his daughter. It is not a function of not feeding her, which would be irresponsible. He’s making a small sacrifice and only wanted to occupy his time away from her with what use to be his property. > > Since there are free games on-line I would suggest he bounce between those and the want ads and ignore the advise to volunteer his time or dumpster dive for his next meal. Leave the volunteering to the fat-asses who are stuffing their face in front of 900 cable channels. I think the reason someone suggested helping out at a soup kitchen on Xmas was because he said he really didn’t have any food in the and the food banks were closed. It would be a way to get out of the house AND get food as well. (Also, volunteering looks good on one’s resume.) Oh, and good luck and a Happy New Year to you, **duffer**! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-easily-my-worst-christmas-ever/565321.md?page=3)