Thanksgiving, what do you dread about it?
- Thread starter ed629
- Start date
I dunno. Americans talking about it on teh Interwebz? Even then, it's not even particularly dreadful, so I have nothing here.
The thing I dislike most about Thanksgiving (although I wouldn't say that I dread it) is the ceremonial pardoning of the turkey. State sanctioned murder is far too serious a subject to be made light of like that.
That one moment, after everyone has been bending over backwards trying to be kind to each other despite the dysfunction, when someone says something extraordinarily cruel, and refuses to even take responsibility for it.
I'm there now.
Somebody distract me before I get angry or cry.
I'm there now.
Somebody distract me before I get angry or cry.
Unwanted guests, controlling relatives, unexpected guests, and sometimes the general boredom associated with going to a family member's house (when the celebration isn't at home). Oh, and guests.
Not to mention turkeys bred to for food are raised and fed in such a manner that they have large breasts (not with artificial stimulants or anything like that, doing so is illegal per the FDA) by the time turkeys are old enough to be slaughtered for food they're pretty much close to a fairly "natural" death anyway because at that age the size of the turkey is larger than the turkey's heart can handle. (Look how tiny it is the next time you pull it out of the bag of guts you get with your turkey.) The "pardoned" turkeys last no much more than maybe a couple of months. Year at most.
And you could also make the "wasting food when there's starving families" argument people like to make anytime viable food is tossed out.
What to I dread about Thanksgiving? Other than work being slightly busier and more annoying not much. I love Thanksgiving. It's all about eating and FOOD! Starchy, tasty, buttery, glorious FOOD! Oh, yeah, and then there's family and stuff.
If there's one thing dread it's usually the terror that'll occur in the bathroom inside the next day.
I usually like Thanksgiving, but after the meal, doing the dishes is a pain in the ASS. Luckily, this year, hubby did ALL the dishes. What a guy!
I think the only thing I would change about Thanksgiving would be my in-laws---but then, I feel that way about ANY time the in-laws are concerned.
I think the only thing I would change about Thanksgiving would be my in-laws---but then, I feel that way about ANY time the in-laws are concerned.
Thanksgiving is probably the only Holiday that's pretty much about what it's supposed to be about. Family, food, and thankfulness. It's not a holiday that's been overly commercialized with trinkets, decorations and stuff like that (notice your local stores go from Halloween decorations and sales pretty much right to Christmas ones, the seasonal aisle of local grocery store going from Halloween candy to Christmas Candy/decorations, etc.)
The only other Holiday that's probably survived commercialism is Independence Day/The Fourth of July.
Sure, there's still commercialism in those holidays but only for items relevant to those holidays. For the Fourth usually it's ads for fireworks and grilling foods, things you need to celebrate the holiday (usually a BBQ coupled with fireworks depending on local laws.) For Thanksgivings all the specials are around turkeys, hams and other foods needed for the dinner that's part of the holiday. Strong arguments could be made for Easter too.
And, for the record, I speak of the "major" holidays here.
But setting aside whatever religious or traditional ties they may have the other major holidays are hyped and commercialized. St. Valentine's Day: pretty much all about buying flowers, candy and diamonds for a loved one. A holiday so commercialized that companies also make large packs of cheesy VD-cards for kids to use in schools. Sure people may still celebrate their love-life or whatever but the holiday strikes me as very bogged down by a lot of superficial materialism.
Christmas, in spite of religious aspects, is very commercialized. Hell, just look at all of the ads you saw on your TV today and the major chain stores opening at midnight. Christmas is practically all about shopping and buying things. There's still people out there celebrating the religious and family aspects of the holiday, but a trip to the mall at any point in the next month will tell you how commercialized this holiday is and how centered around buying and getting it is. This is really how we're supposed to celebrate the birth of our Lord?
Then there's Halloween, pretty much a holiday centered in some Spanish roots for honoring fallen loved ones. Now? Pretty much all about costumes and candy. (Again, note the seasonal aisle in your local stores.)
But Thanksgiving? Still pure and great. It's about food and family. Always has been, always will be.
The only other Holiday that's probably survived commercialism is Independence Day/The Fourth of July.
Sure, there's still commercialism in those holidays but only for items relevant to those holidays. For the Fourth usually it's ads for fireworks and grilling foods, things you need to celebrate the holiday (usually a BBQ coupled with fireworks depending on local laws.) For Thanksgivings all the specials are around turkeys, hams and other foods needed for the dinner that's part of the holiday. Strong arguments could be made for Easter too.
And, for the record, I speak of the "major" holidays here.
But setting aside whatever religious or traditional ties they may have the other major holidays are hyped and commercialized. St. Valentine's Day: pretty much all about buying flowers, candy and diamonds for a loved one. A holiday so commercialized that companies also make large packs of cheesy VD-cards for kids to use in schools. Sure people may still celebrate their love-life or whatever but the holiday strikes me as very bogged down by a lot of superficial materialism.
Christmas, in spite of religious aspects, is very commercialized. Hell, just look at all of the ads you saw on your TV today and the major chain stores opening at midnight. Christmas is practically all about shopping and buying things. There's still people out there celebrating the religious and family aspects of the holiday, but a trip to the mall at any point in the next month will tell you how commercialized this holiday is and how centered around buying and getting it is. This is really how we're supposed to celebrate the birth of our Lord?
Then there's Halloween, pretty much a holiday centered in some Spanish roots for honoring fallen loved ones. Now? Pretty much all about costumes and candy. (Again, note the seasonal aisle in your local stores.)
But Thanksgiving? Still pure and great. It's about food and family. Always has been, always will be.
The only thing connected with Thanksgiving that I even come close to dreading is the customer rush at my store, but that's minor at best. The holiday in general is one that I always look forward to. There's no strife in my family - I always love being around my relatives (although my stepmother was sick and so she couldn't go out to dinner with us 
), and so there's no 'annoying relative' angle here. And of course the food - Thanksgiving dinner is some of my favorite food that I have ever eaten or could ever eat. I am immensely grateful and thankful for all that God has blessed me and my family with, and when you have something like that in your life, there really is nothing to 'dread'.
As for commercialism: Meh. The Black Friday stuff doesn't really bother me. I understand why they do it - stores lower prices on stuff that people want, so said people crowd into the stores to get it. It's all logical. I just hope people learn enough about themselves to, you know, not trample each other to death.
), and so there's no 'annoying relative' angle here. And of course the food - Thanksgiving dinner is some of my favorite food that I have ever eaten or could ever eat. I am immensely grateful and thankful for all that God has blessed me and my family with, and when you have something like that in your life, there really is nothing to 'dread'.As for commercialism: Meh. The Black Friday stuff doesn't really bother me. I understand why they do it - stores lower prices on stuff that people want, so said people crowd into the stores to get it. It's all logical. I just hope people learn enough about themselves to, you know, not trample each other to death.
Thanksgiving is a terrible holiday. You have to see your family and you don't get any gifts to help stave away the suicidal thoughts as your aunt goes on and on about how amazing her kids are.
The IndiGEStion.
I had a revelation of sorts today. I don't like my family all that much. I spent most of the afternoon at a friend's house (their family is way more entertaining, and I've known them all for so long that it's already expected that I make an appearance on the major holidays). I didn't even care about seeing my own family. I waited until the last possible moment before driving down to see my family, where I managed to stay for about 2 hours (long enough to help set food out on the table, eat a little, help with clean up, oblige in some small talk, then make an excuse to leave). Ended up back at my friend's house for some dessert and hanging out until late in the evening.
I guess I'm just tired of my family's bickering. None of them ever seem very happy. I am not sure that it used to be this way. I think it's just been getting gradually worse over time. And now I don't feel like being around it anymore. I've got it programmed inside of me that I am supposed to visit the family on all of the major holidays. It's the same routine (in the same location, too - Grandma's house) every year. I'm accustomed to it. Yet, I think I would be okay if I just stopped participating. I'd rather hang out with my friends.
I guess I'm just tired of my family's bickering. None of them ever seem very happy. I am not sure that it used to be this way. I think it's just been getting gradually worse over time. And now I don't feel like being around it anymore. I've got it programmed inside of me that I am supposed to visit the family on all of the major holidays. It's the same routine (in the same location, too - Grandma's house) every year. I'm accustomed to it. Yet, I think I would be okay if I just stopped participating. I'd rather hang out with my friends.
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