Avoid These Hot Topics for a Happier Thanksgiving Dinner in Maine

Ever accidentally ask the wrong question at dinner?

I've totally been there. Even worse, I was the kid that if my mother gave me a gentle kick under the table for asking a totally wrong question, I'd ask way too loudly, why was she kicking me under the table? To this day, my mother will still tell me not to say certain things out loud. I try to remind her I'm not 9-years old anymore. It does no good...

But as we're screaming right up on Thanksgiving, I thought I'd take this moment to remind you that it's occasionally a good idea to just be quiet and hope for the best. There's a good chance someone will ask a silly question, just don't let it be you. And if nothing else, don't bring up any of these subjects...

Politics...

For obvious reasons, leave this little appetizer right off the menu. No good can come from bringing up politics at the Turkey Dinner. We just wrapped up a highly controversial election cycle, why set yourself up to either have to defend yourself, or talk down to others? It's a subject best left to anywhere, just not at Thanksgiving.

Family Drama...

No one needs a reminder that Uncle Dave just got an OUI, or that Cousin Edna just lost the whole family's life savings by donating to a church in Florida. We all know that stuff's happening. But there's a good chance that someone's feelings are going to get hurt if you mention that kind of stuff, so shhh.

Relationship statuses...

If you've got a cousin or something that you only see at Thanksgiving, and they show up alone when they've been showing up with the same person for the last several years, you may not want to run right up and ask how so and so is doing. They may have broken up and you don't know. Or worse, passed away. Wait for that info to present itself.

Religion...

How you feel about your spirituality, is kind of your own business. Now, if you're the type of family that always goes to church together and such, awesome! If only half the family does, both sides may not want to take a huge stance on this. Respect each other's beliefs and remember Thanksgiving is about family.

Vegetarianism / Veganism...

There's an article with something I might not have thought of on my own, but I wholeheartedly agree that Turkey Day is no time to make your veggie/vegan stand. You don't wanna eat turkey? Totally cool, but let's not ruin everyone's day with a family fight about animal rights on a day known by a large portion of the country as Turkey Day... I mean, it's in the name!

At the end of the day, what really matters isn't what's on the table, it's what's in the chairs. It should be a day for family. Not arguments. I know that's easy for me to sit here and write, but we really take this sort of thing to heart in my family. We agree that it's about everyone, not just one person. So try and just be good to each other...