Holiday Survival Guide: Chicago Comedians Share Their Secrets
The holidays: a time for family, food, and those inevitable awkward conversations you’d rather avoid. To help navigate the social minefield, WBEZ asked three Chicago comedy standouts—Eunji Kim (42), Jeff Brumfield (30), and Kenya Elan (34)—for their survival tips.
Breaking the Ice (and the Silence):
Jeff Brumfield advocates for the often-maligned art of small talk: “Small talk gets a bad rap, but it’s necessary. Start light: ‘How’s it going? Did you see this wild thing on Twitter?’ Ease in. It’s like stretching before a run.” Kenya Elan takes a bolder approach: “I usually go with ‘Why are you here?’ It can come off as rude, but hey, it gets people talking. Or, ‘Is this your first drink?’ Depending on how they answer, you know how to proceed.” Eunji Kim suggests offering opinions, not facts: “Express an opinion. Not a fact. Like, ‘These people seem fun — or not.’ It forces them to share their own take. Plus, I’m big on route talk: ‘Did you take Ashland to get here?’ I turned 35, and now I live for shortcut conversations.” However, Kenya Elan cautions against asking about someone’s route to the party, calling it a “vibe killer.”
Dodging the Danger Zones:
Several topics are universally considered hazardous. Jeff Brumfield advises avoiding sensitive family drama: “Family drama…if you know someone’s getting divorced or there’s some deep tension brewing, just don’t touch it. You’ve got a whole buffet of topics to choose from and you’re reaching for the radioactive casserole?” Eunji Kim shares a surprising discovery: “Apparently, the P. Diddy trial is off limits for a middle-aged suburban crowd…Mixed company is the problem here—it’s like, women in the kitchen drinking wine? We would’ve been all over it. But men? Watching football? Not a chance.” Kenya Elan adds: “Who you voted for, when you’re having a baby and how many glasses of wine you’ve had…Let’s just agree no one wants to discuss these things—except that one guy who always has a lot to say and nobody wants to hear it.” Jeff Brumfield views discussing politics as a way to assess relationships: “Around the holidays, it’s a good time to figure out who you’re hanging out with for the rest of the year…It’s like speed dating for relationships.” Conversely, Eunji Kim encourages open discussion of mental health: “Mental health. Personal problems. Let’s normalize talking about it at the dinner table. Why wouldn’t you want to know if someone you love is struggling?” Finally, Kenya Elan suggests a radical honesty about finances and questionable gift acquisition methods: “How much money you’re making…Let’s just all put it out there. We can rise up together! Also, if you stole something to make the meal or wrap the gift. We’re all cutting corners these days. Own it.”
Escape Strategies:
When all else fails, there are escape routes. Jeff Brumfield recommends the classic “empty cup” tactic: “An empty cup is your best friend. ‘Oh, I just need a refill’ or ‘Bathroom break!’ Works every time. If someone says something really crazy, I’ll just turn around and walk away. No explanation needed.” Eunji Kim embraces direct honesty: “Lately, I’ve started being honest: ‘I don’t want to talk anymore.’ I’m over 40, so I feel like I’ve earned that.” Kenya Elan employs a more subversive method: “I find someone else awkwardly standing around, pull them into the conversation, get them talking and then I ghost. It’s a little messed up, but hey, I’m building community, even if it’s under duress.”
Handling the Unwanted Gift:
The comedians offer various approaches to the dreaded unwanted present: Jeff Brumfield would lie; Kenya Elan would wear it once and donate it; and Eunji Kim would feign enthusiasm and dispose of it later.
About the Comedians:
* Jeff Brumfield performs regularly at Chicago comedy clubs. Follow him on Instagram @senseijefe26.
* Eunji Kim announces her shows on Instagram @thebesteunji and hosts the podcast 2Kims1Pod.
* Kenya Elan runs the “Prime Time” showcase at the Lincoln Lodge. Follow her on Instagram @kenya_elan.
(Author and Producer information included at the end as in the original text)