Community Chat

[Lindsays Grandma]

The following is a list of what polite people don't do on thanksgiving.  If you don't agree with any or all of what is on the list, keep in mind they are not my words, they were copied for your reading pleasure.   

1.   Arrive late.

2.   Show up to dinner empty handed.

3.   Complain about the food.

4.   Hang out with the TV instead of with friends or family.

5.   Invite strangers or bring pets.

6.   Take too much food.

7.   Avoid cleanup.

8.   Show up unannounced.

9.   Forget to thank your host after the holidays.

10.  Put your guests to work.

11.   Make your guests pick their own seats.

12.   Ignore your guests dietary needs.

[MaryLamb]

I would add, Drink too much alcohol, and Bring up politics.

[Anonymous032819]

I think it's tradition for people to gather around the tv to watch football, and also it's perfectly okay for the host to say, "Sit where ever you want".

If a guest offers to help, there is nothing wrong with taking them up on that offer.

[NYC Susan]

The only one I take exception to is re seating.  There's nothing wrong with not having assigned seating/placecards.  Sometimes I assign places at the table, sometimes not.  I don't see anything wrong with a host or hostess telling guests to sit wherever they would like.  How is that impolite?

I also think these are not just rules for Thanksgiving.  They're rules for all the time.  And pretty much common sense.

[SandySparkles]

I like most of these rules, especially don't drink too much alcohol, or arrive late. I have a friend that loves to arrive "fashionably" late and it grates on my nerves a bit because she is usually quite late. We have all probably had a guest or two overindulge with alcohol, and that does not make for a successful gathering.

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

[SahmIam]

I would add:

Don't insult the person who brings the veggis you asked her/him to make by saying "oh, these certainly are sweet! Perhaps that's why you have a weight problem!"

(said to a close friend last year by her sister at the Thanksgiving table in front of 11 other guests. That friend will be at my house this year instead of her sisters for Thanksgiving).

[lovescats]

guests with dietary needs should not show up empty handed   

[SahmIam]

@lovescats  It's amazing how many do and then complain about the food. Or the vegetarian who spends the entire dinner lecturing everyone as to how disgusting they are for eating turkey.  Been there, heard it.

[Flatbush]

asking if some thing is home made, and telling you and the other guests if it's not, they won't eat it.

[DiAnne]

I was raised to never discuss politics, religion or sex in polite company.