Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year spent stuffing our faces with our family and friends. It is a time to be thankful for all that you have and all of the people that you have in your life. Those people in your life like to pry into your personal life, though. For many of us college students, Thanksgiving may be the first time seeing our families since we left for school at the end of the summer. Families like to know every little detail going on in your life. They also just like to bring up topics that result in an uncomfortable conversation. That is why it is important to try to avoid these topics that might bright up awkward and unwanted dinner conversation at the Thanksgiving dinner table this year.
1. Your Dating Life
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Grandma notices that you still do not have a boyfriend and asks "why a pretty girl like you is still single?" Avoid this conversation.
2. Politics
No one ever agrees on the topic of politics. Discussing it will start civil and end in heated arguments that will last for the entire dinner. Avoid this conversation.
3. The Recent Election
Do not go around the table and say who voted for who. Bringing up the election will only release unpleasant and conflicting emotions. Avoid this conversation.
4. Your Career ("Have you picked a major yet?")
This is honestly an unavoidable question, especially for college students. Your family wants to hear all about your future aspirations and how you plan to achieve them. Tell them what you know — even if you still aren't sure yourself — as briefly as you can. If not, you're in for a long dinner conversation about how you need to get your life together. Avoid this conversation.
5. Your Grades
Just say that they're good. Do not go into detail about how you did poorly on that one economics test because it was the hardest test that you have ever encountered in your life. Do not tell your parents that you forgot to hand your project in on time. You do not want screaming from all angles of the table. Avoid this conversation.
6. Your Facebook Profile
You do not want that aunt that stalks your albums asking about that one guy in the background at that party you were at last Friday. "Who is that? Is that your friend? Boyfriend? I see he is wearing Vineyard Vines? Do you wear Vineyard Vines? How was the party? There wasn't alcohol there, was there?" Avoid this conversation.
7. Past Friendships/Relationships
You cringe out the sound of their name. Clearly, they have no idea that you hate that person now and you are not about to explain it while trying to enjoy your gravy-covered mashed potatoes and stuffing. Avoid this conversation.
8. Your Social (Night) Life
They say that they want to know what you did last Saturday night. They do not want to hear that you let some random cute guy buy you drinks all night at the bar. Limit the talk about your social/night life. It's better if they think that you spent last Saturday night studying for your history exam. Avoid this conversation.
9. Money Talk
Do not talk about how much or how little money you have during dinner. Save it for another time if it is really necessary and just enjoy the turkey. Avoid this conversation.
10. Your Personal Stress
Do not let what is stressing you out ruin a day with your family. Let all the stress leave your mind and enjoy the day. Avoid this conversation.
11. Gossip About The Family Members Who Are Not Present
Don't let the aunts talk smack about their sister who put on a couple extra pounds over the past month. Gossip is fun and all, but it is not appropriate for Thanksgiving dinner talk. Avoid this conversation.
Happy Thanksgiving!
