Written by Alyssa Padmanabhan and Lindsey Morgan
There are only a few things to look forward to when spring rolls around, besides the obvious last day of school, President’s day, spring break, and more importantly, PROM. The time when girls spend countless hours scrolling the Facebook prom dress page, high school couples try to outdo each other in Promposals, and all your friends have different opinions on how to make this the perfect night. But along with the excitement and energy of Prom comes chaos, from hurt feelings, to confusing plans, and mixed signals. All of which threaten what is supposed to be a magical night to remember. So here are some common problems and complicated situations with some helpful tips on how to handle such problems.
Scenario 1: The Control Freak
Sometimes we might find ourselves stuck with a friend who needs everything to go exactly according to their plan. Of course you love them but you want to make sure everyone has a good time. Nobody wants a their group divided by a control freak. In this situation, you could be asking yourself what would be an appropriate way to address how controlling and selfish they’re being. However, the idea of being confrontational can be extremely uncomfortable. But don’t sweat it!
What you can do: Take time to consider how strong your friendship is between you and said problematic person. You guys have been there for each other through everything. While keeping that in mind, it’s important to understand that confrontation and communication is healthy for all relationships because they are key points in helping a relationship grow and be successful. Of course, being mature and logical about confrontation is necessary, since some people can become defensive and offended easily. So, here are some simple steps to keep your group intact and friendship strong…
Nail Down the Issue: Whatever the issue is, nail it down and be specific. Is it that they are being inflexible with options for dinner? Are they are getting irritable and snapping at others in the group? Make it simple and easy to pinpoint.
Get insight: Most of the time people are unaware of how they can be affecting the people around them. Keep that in mind when you are dealing with a control freak. Try to think about how that person is feeling and what makes them act the way you do. Getting insight can give you patience when dealing with difficult and controlling people.
Communicate: Once you have nailed down the specific issue pull that person aside, talk to them about the specific issue. Face to face would be ideal. Also avoid pointing out the issue publicly in front of the whole group because that can be more embarrassing than helpful.
Be on the same page: Communicate with your group and hash out the expectations that you all have. Make sure everyone has a chance to voice their opinion. Separate the flexible requests from the nonnegotiable ones. Compromise where you can to try and make everyone feel heard and considered.
