that picture reminded me of all the big dinners with relatives at chinese restaurants. if there weren't enough people, you had to sit with the adults and eat furtively, just waiting for the inevitable conversation dagger to point to you. then you get to be compared to some other cousin's friend's brother's daughter...

or hear criticism:
-"wow, you got fat! ...but uh...it looks good."
-"your neckline is too low. put some clothes on next time."
-"a lot of stress at school, right? i can tell by the pimples on your face."
-"are you sure you want to be a doctor? we already have one in the family--be a lawyer!"

or be reminded of childhood follies that will never be forgotten:
-"oh, remember that time you cried because you were losing at cards so grandma paid you off?"
-"or how about when we got you to play that 'game' and you ended up washing the car for us? HAHA!"
-"and when you *censored for my own dignity*? HAHAHA!"

ah, reminiscing.