More Americans are embracing new tradition of avoiding political talk at holidays
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As Americans cook their birds and prepare their sides, another holiday ritual is quietly taking shape at tables across the country: Avoiding arguments.
A new survey found that 58% of people will avoid political debate this season.
When asked what part of Thanksgiving they found most stressful, 24% of respondents said political and/or personal arguments involved. savings.com.
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Another survey reported a similar finding; According to YouGov research, 22% of Americans say they are unlikely to discuss politics at the table. 27 percent said they would not discuss politics at all.
A Fox News poll found that only one in five people plan to stay away from people with opposing political views, while three-quarters of those surveyed are happy to hang out with the opposing team this season.
58 percent of Americans will avoid political discussions at Thanksgiving dinner this year, new findings show. (iStock)
A growing number of families seem to be embracing a new tradition: putting aside differences and focusing on peace and togetherness.
The cultural shift came after the hashtag “#RuinThankgiving” spread on social media in 2017, provoking people to argue with their relatives on Thanksgiving.
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“People are sharing what difficult topics they plan to bring up this Thanksgiving, including oppression within the holiday.” Teen Vogue was noted at the time.
“Some have pointed out that whites and others in privileged positions have a special responsibility to stand with the oppressed,” the article added.
In 2017, the hashtag “#RuinThanksgiving” spread on social media, with many people dragging their relatives into political debates. (iStock)
Alison Cheperdak, founder of Elevate Etiquette in Washington, D.C., told Fox News Digital that most people don’t actually avoid the topic, but rather protect their relationships.
“Over the past few years, families have experienced a pandemic, heated election cycles, and endless online discourse that feels more like conflict than conversation,” Cheperdak said. “When we sit down to Thanksgiving dinner, people are tired of all this and they want connection, not conflict.”
“The kindest guests know how to turn slowly.”
He added: “It has become common practice to avoid short-term problems because people have finally realized how rarely these conversations go well over turkey and mashed potatoes. It’s time to prioritize rapport and hospitality over persuasion.”
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“Was It Something I Said?” The author said that staying away from politics at the table is not insincere, on the contrary, it is a sign of respect.
“You can be original without being provocative,” he said. “The nicest guests know how to tread gently: ‘Let’s save this for after dessert,’ or ‘I’d love to hear your thoughts another time. I want to enjoy being together tonight.'”
“By the time we sit down to Thanksgiving dinner, people are tired of all this and want connection, not conflict,” said one etiquette expert. (iStock)
He recommended that hosts lead by example and slowly shift conversations if they veer toward politics.
Some people took to social media to share their thoughts and make a few jokes on the subject.
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“Don’t forget to bring up politics on Thanksgiving this year to save on Christmas gifts,” one woman said on X.
One man wrote: “We can all sit at the Thanksgiving dinner table…together again.”
“Don’t talk about politics on Thanksgiving,” one user shared.
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“Share your memories to stay away from politics on Thanksgiving,” another person said.
“One year, we were cooking our own farm-raised turkey, 35 lbs. The power went out, so we had to turn on our wood stove. When the power came on for a while, the turkey was flying from one oven to the next. Yummy.”
