Thanksgiving Etiquette for Guests

One of my favorite photos of me with my Uncle Jack at a Thanksgiving dinner in my aunt’s and uncle’s home, nearly 40 years ago. It’s a bit fuzzy, but his easy going smile and friendly demeanor put anyone at ease He had impeccable manners and was my ideal of a true gentleman. He was a ladies man and a man’s man. He passed away on October 26th. Rest in peace, Uncle Jack.

Twelve Tips for Being a Welcome Thanksgiving  Guest 

  1. Don’t enter a home asking for the television remote, video controller or the wifi password. You’re there to visit and socialize. Instead, greet your host &/or hostess and thank them for having you. 
  2. Holidays already bring unexpected surprises. Never show up with an “extra” guest or friend in tow unless you’ve politely discussed the matter with your host/s.
  3. If you are “bringing a dish,” and you know the host’s or hostess’s taste in tableware, bringing an actual dish with your food as a hostess gift is a thoughtful touch. Ex: Your sister collects old, blue and white transferware. You spot unique bowls she’d love online and on sale. Pick a pretty style for her to keep and bring your famous cranberry sauce in it, ready to serve. 
  4. If you aren’t already helping out in the kitchen, ask what you can do to assist. Many hosts & hostesses don’t want help in the kitchen, but may need help in making sure guests’ glasses are on coasters, guests’ coats are hung up or that children aren’t underfoot. Some hosts and hostesses need help with setting the table. Offer to make yourself useful.
  5. If your hosts have the big game on, parade or holiday marathon, go ahead and watch. Just don’t ignore others or let it monopolize your attention.
  6. Your cellphone should be set aside for face to face communication with others and taking occasional photos. Keep your phone out of sight unless it’s needed. If you get a personal call, step into another room or go outside to take the call.
  7. Ask where you should sit at the table, unless your host instructs you to, “sit anywhere.” If there are place cards, sit where the host/s have placed you. It is the rudest of gusts who will rearrange place cards at someone else’s table.
  8. Never criticize the food or how it’s prepared. If you don’t care for something, simply pass on the dish, or pass it on to the next guest without comment.
  9. Keep political opinions and other hot topics out of your conversation. Regardless of your passions or opinions, seasonal get-togethers are not the time for division, especially in someone else’s home.
  10. Don’t expect to take home leftovers, even if it’s the norm in your family or circle. Food prices have skyrocketed the past few years and some families have started asking guests to chip in on the cost of the meal. Leftovers may only be up for grabs if you’ve contributed monetarily to the meal. 
  11. Holidays can be a lonely time for people, even those attending large gatherings. Be polite and try to chat with anyone who looks like they need some kindness sent their way.
  12. Don’t overstay your welcome and always thank your hosts when you leave.


 

 πŸ½Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Dining According to Hollywood Free Webinar

Join our Free Webinar on Etiquette!




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Event Description


For over a century, motion pictures have enthralled, entertained and educated audiences around the world. Famous lines from hit movies, can immediately transport one back to the theater, to when they first heard the immortal words. “I’m the king of the world!”… “There’s no place like home.”… “ I’ll be back.”… “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”… “ “Here’s looking at you, kid.” “ Houston, we have a problem.”… "I have a head for business and a bod for sin."…  


All have resonated with movie audiences and pop culture for decades after the movies first played. Manners and mannerisms too, along with “etiquette lessons” seen in films, have affected pop-culture and moviegoers. I know this, due to the fact that so many of my etiquette class students over the last 33 years, young and old, have mentioned scenes from movies that left lasting impressions on them. 

The movies are numerous. In this webinar, we will be covering many of them. Which motion pictures got the manners just right? Which motion pictures got the manners wrong? Which motion pictures should have steered clear of teaching manners to the theater going public? Which movies equated good manners with snobbery? Which movies made etiquette appear necessary for a civil society to thrive? 

We will cover the films that have tickled us with their style in slyly teaching proper manners and mannerisms. We will cover the films which really got things muddled and were anything but helpful in teaching the theater going public that learning manners can be fun. 

From delightful to dreadful, and back to delightful again, we are going to discuss these motion pictures, which have most stuck with us while entertaining us at the same time. Sit back, grab your popcorn and enjoy our visit to the movies. No 3-D glasses will be required!

Some of what we will be discussing…

Part 1: Confusing Utensils in Films 
Part 2: Confusing Place Settings in Films 
Part 3: Unusual Foods in Films 
Part 4: Place Settings in Films 
Part 5: Poor Table Manners 
Part 6: Etiquette Lessons in Films 


When is this event happening?

The event will be on via Zoom, Saturday, 23rd September 2023, 4 pm - 5 pm, Pacific Standard Time, (PST, California USA).


Will I be able to watch the event at another time?

We are recording the event and posting it via YouTube.  You can watch our last event.


As a beginner, is this event suitable for me?

Beginners are welcome, and we hope that you enjoy the event.

 

How much is the event?

This event is free.


Do you accept tips? 

We have been asked if we accept tips.  The answer to that is yes, we do.  If you enjoy the information given, you are welcome to tip today.


Questions can be sent to the Administrator prior to the event and during the presentation. 


19th Maura will answer as many as possible in the Question & Answer session following the presentation. 

Please email your questions to: theetiquettechannel@gmail.com


Link to the Free Webinar –– https://events.humanitix.com/dining-according-to-hollywood-the-art-of-dining-on-film



Gif's, video and photos credits: 20th Century Studios, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Home Entertainment, Walt Disney Pictures, Buena Vista Pictures, 21st Century Fox, CBS Media, Viacom, CBS Studios, Columbia Pictures, ITV, Focus Features, Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures, Canva


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