This may be a majorly unpopular opinion, but I think Thanksgiving sucks. That is why I have taken the liberty of sharing with all of you turkey lovers why I hate this holiday so much. Warning: This is highly based on my own opinions and experiences. Not everyone celebrates the same way, with (dysfunctional) family, or celebrates at all. Our experiences are entirely our own and we should take that into account.
A Crazy Small Amount of Time
Universities andemployers don’t give enough time off for the Turkey Day festivities. Many people have to travel miles away, over state borders, by plane, or by car. The traffic is crazy, any way or anywhere you’re traveling. The average Thanksgiving break is 4 days or less – no more than a week. Factor in at least two days of travel and you’re barely left with any time to relax or enjoy the holiday time. Now, imagine if your family is split up into different festive parties. How are you supposed to make that happen?
Coming Home from College
After having had your taste of freedom in college, you’re swept back into living in your childhood bedroom and having a curfew. You miss your friends and you feel weird hanging out with your high school friends, who you’ve barely talked to since college. Your town is probably exactly how you left it, and there is nothing to do but watch Daytime Television and dream of your campus living situation.
The Food Sucks
Especially if you’re like me, and don’t even eat meat. That’s right *gasp* she’s Vegetarian. Either way, despite my biased opinion, everyone knows turkey will always disappoint at Thanksgiving. If your family manages not to burn it to a charcoal crisp, chances are it will still be as dry as the dad jokes that you’ll relentlessly hear.
So what else is there to eat at Thanksgiving? Mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, stuffing, cranberry sauce, uhhh… they all taste like baby food to me. This may be the point that I get the most counter-arguments on, some people like mushy foods, I however do not. So, I’ll pile my plate up with dinner rolls.
OHHH! Oh and I can’t forget, here comes the disappointing looks and vegetarian jokes coming my way, that happen every year, despite how long they’ve known my “herbivore side.” Yes I like veggies, no that’s not the only thing I eat. Yes, please hand me some more dinner rolls.
This brings me to the next point!
The Conversation
Too often the Thanksgiving conversation revolves around antagonizing discussion of politics, religion, and your family’s view of your life. This happens despite the realization of your family, that you are all very different people, with largely differing opinions. Someone always leaves this dialogue hurt. Adding to the conversation are always uncomfortable questions from your distant relatives. My favorites are:
“Have you tried out for any sports recently? You seem to have gained weight.”
“Why aren’t you in a relationship?”
“What are you majoring in again? I heard that doesn’t get you a job.”
And of course in reaction to this riveting chatter:
“Why don’t you talk more?”
If this doesn’t happen in your Thanksgiving dinners then congrats, we’re all jealous of you.
The Spews of Thankfulness
Whether you see it all over social media, or hear it from all of your friends and family, thankfulness is spewed out from every corner. It makes you wonder what about eating a gigantic bird, and taking in all the holiday hecticness, makes people thankful. Why is everyone posting cheesy status updates about what they’re thankful for today, when you hear them spout off their negativity every other normal, peaceful day. This may be a good part about Thanksgiving, it causes some people to think positively. I don’t understand this, though, and for many it has the opposite effect.
