Here Are Some Things You Should NOT Do at Thanksgiving
Around this time each year etiquette experts are asked what things you should NOT do this year at Thanksgiving. These are all common sense, so let’s see if you know what to do.
Number one is not RSVP-ing. If you receive an invitation for Thanksgiving dinner, it is expected and polite to RSVP whether you’re going or not. What’s even worse is to not RSVP and then show up anyway. This is rude and wrong for many reasons. If someone did this to me I’d think that I was their backup plan.
Ignoring the schedule is also a no-no. Again, being respectful when you’re a guest is very important. Follow the rules that your host or hostess asks you to follow, if dinner is at six and you show up at eight without notifying them in advance, you probably shouldn’t have agreed to go.
Bringing dishes that require cooking is one of the worst things you can do, again, unless it’s been prearranged. If you show up with food, you better make sure that food is ready to eat or simply heated up.
This goes without saying, but it still happens. Starting tense conversations, like politics, is never a good thing. If you think about it, even if everyone had the same views, which never happens, it’s still destined to be a blood pressure-raising discussion that kills any possible fun.
Stay out of the kitchen! Unless your help is requested, don’t try to take over or tell your host how YOU do it.
If you have an allergy or have dietary restrictions let your host in advance or don’t tell them at all. Not eating and telling them at the dinner table only makes them feel bad. However, a thoughtful host will ask in advance, but they’re not wrong if they don’t.
And always, always, always, show up with something. Food for the meal, if pre-arranged, a bottle of wine, or a gift for the host. Yes, you do need to!
I hope you have a pleasant, enjoyable, and peaceful Thanksgiving:)
4 Types Of People You Will Find At Thanksgiving Turkey Trot
The Costume Runner
Here is the spectacle runner, who is decked out in a giant turkey costume. They can’t breathe let alone run, but they certainly can waddle. If this person finishes actually runs and finishes the race, it is usually by Christmas time. Nonetheless, you must respect the fact that lots of thought and deliberation went into this decision. It may even take longer for the person to get properly fitted in the morning to get ready for the trot than it does for the actual turkey to cook.
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The I Need To Win And Beat The Best Time Ever Runner
With all due respect, this runner is there an hour early stretching, even though they already completely stretched at home prior to eating a full protein breakfast. This participant is fully rested, fully hydrated, and plans to smoke you like you are the turkey. Furthermore, while you are trucking through the first mile, gasping for breath, this runner is going to pass, but going the other direction. That is because this person finished the race already and is simply running back to the starting line as their “cool down.” We get it, your cross-country skills are superhuman, and you now own the Turkey Trot best time. Just don’t be the person that beats the day’s honoree.
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The Still Awake From Last Night "Runner"
It’s common knowledge that the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving is one of the biggest party nights on the planet. It’s a special occasion where people come out of the woodwork and return to their hometown. The local pubs may make their annual quota based on Thanksgiving Eve sales. It’s great fun for sure, as long you have a responsible ride home. For some though, they have not even been home yet. It’s much more convenient to walk two blocks to the left to the downtown starting line at sunrise than it is to trek a half of a mile down Main Street to sleep it off for a few hours. This person looks and smells like the party. If there are woods adjacent to the 5k running route, you will usually find this runner in there immediately.
The Socialite Runner
Many towns that host Thanksgiving races are deep with tradition and local history. The families that call this place home often go back generations. Somehow, your grandmother had the same 4th grade teacher that your daughter currently has. The socialite is there to talk to everyone. They are in full-blown campaign mode, yet they are not running for anything. They simply love everything that has to do with their hometown and their mission for Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, is to see literally everyone, and spread some spirit. You have to respect that.
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