Christmas is just around the corner. How does that make you feel? When I asked 800 people that question in September, 70% said they love Christmas. But six out of 10 of those folk qualified their love with "but it's stressful". Those who don't celebrate Christmas numbered 8% and a tear-jerking 22% said they "don't look forward to Christmas at all".
You'll have your own answers to the next question - why do people either not like Christmas or find that stress takes the fake snow veneer off it? Before I asked the question I did homework on common sources of Christmas-related stress. I found straw polls run by banks, focus groups conducted by supermarkets, a lot of popular wisdom, and even some peer-reviewed research.
I collated their answers and laid them like a slice of turkey in front of participants.
Esta historia es de la edición December 02-08, 2023 de New Zealand Listener.
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Esta historia es de la edición December 02-08, 2023 de New Zealand Listener.
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First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
