The Rotunda

Issue date: 11/19/08 Section: Features

Awkward Turkey?

So, next Thursday is about pilgrims, Indians and maize (a.k.a. the first Spanish word everyone learns) right? Maybe it used to be, back in the days of elementary school plays and fighting over who got to be an Indian. Seriously, who wants to be a wussy pilgrim? Now that we are all grown up however, it is more about the food, football, sleep and more food. For the families in the "elementary school phase of life," Thanksgiving is a day to be thankful for all that is good, think of the pilgrims who helped discover this country and the Indians who helped them survive. For others (namely college students) Thanksgiving is a chance to eat mass quantities of good food, sleep a lot and show our parents how much more booze we can drink without getting a buzz. Sure, it's nice to be back with the whole family and catch up on each other's lives…for about two hours. After the two hours of food, stories and laughs about everything that has happened since Christmas, it's nap time.

Once the tryptophan-induced coma is over, awkwardness tends to set in for many families. Having run out of all the new and exciting things you can talk about, either the past or future must be discussed in order to keep conversation moving.

Siblings who have suddenly grown a little bit bigger and much more wise (of the mouth) could use your return home as an opportunity to drum up something you did years ago that clearly they continue to hold a grudge about…Awkward.

Getting into a fight with your brother over using the last of the mayonnaise for his turkey sandwich and him using his long-held grudge as an excuse for why you are a bad brother and mayonnaise is much less important than your evil act towards him when he was little…Awkward.

Many college students are not exactly sure what is to come after graduation and the immediate proximity of parent and child does not allow the latter to hide. This conversation can cause raising of the voice and drinking of alcohol which then leads to slamming of the door…Awkward.

Republicans and Democrats in the same family (especially this year)…Awkward.

When grandparents get their grandchildren's names wrong and tell you a story about when you were young (even though it was definitely your sister who threw up on the train). Having to listen through the whole thing and pretend it was you so your grandparent doesn't feel bad for mixing you up…Awkward.

Crazy uncles doing or saying anything…Awkward.

Thanksgiving is a holiday that has been celebrated for hundreds of years, and although it has clearly changed over time, the fact that it gives families the chance to come together remains. So next Thursday as you pass the mashed potatoes and slip some turkey under the table to your family pet, remember that the majority of your weekend might be extremely awkward. HOWEVER, the true meaning of Thanksgiving should still exist even if you don't talk about it as much anymore. Be thankful for the things that you have in life and try to show some love to your family members; even if they are snot-nosed little brothers who can't get over the fact that you microwaved their favorite GI Joe eight years ago.

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