America may be in its most festive season, but according to a new poll by Consumer Reports many of us dread having to be nice during the holidays. The survey says 35 million of us hate smiling and being nice while standing in line, talking to family over turkeys and hams, spending money and gaining the inevitable winter weight. According to the poll, 90% listed at least one thing they dreaded about the supposedly jolliest of seasons. Along with the chief complaint of holiday “crowds,” “gaining weight” and “getting into debt” both tied for second-place in top holiday woes among survey respondents.
| Holiday Jeers | |||
| 1. Crowds and long lines | 68% | 7. Seasonal music | 23% |
| 2. (Tie) Gaining weight | 37% | 8. Disappointing gifts | 19% |
| 2. (Tie) Getting into debt | 37% | 9. Having to attend holiday parties or events | 16% |
| 4. Gift shopping | 28% | 10. Having to be nice | 15% |
| 5. Traveling | 25% | 11. Holiday tipping | 12% |
| 6. Seeing certain relatives | 24% | ||
