Got this email regarding appropriate and inappropriate conversations during family dinners. I thought it worth repeating but my main question is "who are these people that require these type of reminders? People that have no couth? No manners? What is their deal?"
Enough of my thought of the day....here ya go:
Thanksgiving can mean the ideal family get together or a day of awkward moments, uncomfortable silences and eruptions of family feuds. Here are Debra Fine's Top 10 Conversation Bombshells:
1. "Are you two ever going to get married?" Most of us mothers (I am guilty as charged!) along with the rest of the planet presume that long time dating results in marriage. It ain’t necessarily so! And for those young people at the table already blissfully wed: "When are you two going to make me a grandmother?" Back off! If they wanted you to know their intimate intentions they would be sure to send you a press release.
2. “I heard Sarah got into Northwestern…why in the world is she going to Michigan State instead?” Maybe the stock market plunge has put a damper on attending private institutions. Got a problem with the Spartans’?
3."No, thanks. I gave up drinking after I saw the toll it took on you." This is meant to deliberately point a finger. If you must address someone’s over indulgence do it in private! And making someone feel bad about him or herself does not typically motivate better behavior.
4. “Why did you two leave that beautiful home for this dump?” APR and no interest loans created a housing crisis for all not just those strangers you read about in the newspapers. Remember what Mom always said, if you have nothing nice to say…shut up!
5. “I knew your candidate did not stand a chance, what do you have to say for yourself now?” Stop gloating, there are plenty people eating turkey after the election, no need to rub it in. We are all in this together.
6. "Aren't you full yet?" or "Why aren't you eating anything?" Leave us alone about what we eat or don’t eat and worry about what you put in your own mouth. Just because eating at the holiday dinner table is a marathon of gorging for some for others it may be an Olympic feat of discipline. Also, just because you slaved over the pumpkin pie or prepared grandma’s traditional stuffing does not mean we are required to consume it. Eating is a personal decision!
7. "Yes, I know you're a parent. But haven't you ever thought about working?" Is this just a reflection of the Mommy wars? Whether someone chooses to work outside of the home or stay at home with their kids it is their choice and we should respect that choice and instead show a genuine interest in her: “What are the challenges of staying at home with kids today?” or “Describe a typical day…” or “What keeps you busy outside of work/home?”
8. "I see you still can't be bothered with ironing a shirt." Leave him alone. His priorities are not the same as yours. Appreciate that he wore a nice button down shirt!
9. "How is it that your son looks just like you and your daughter looks like she could be from a different family?" Personal questions that you do not know the answer to are never a good idea. Other examples include: “Did your son get into Yale?” and “How is the girlfriend?”
10. "Did you cook this yourself, or did you just thaw it out?" You may be asking because you sincerely wish to know how you can create this dish yourself but you are putting the host/hostess on the spot. Instead ask for the recipe after the meal. If it was not homemade she will let you know at that time or maybe be coy and say that the recipe is a family tradition that is not shared outside the family!
Debra Fine is available to talk about the Fine Art of Small Talk at Thanksgiving. If you're ready to listen, she's ready to talk!
The Fine Art of Small Talk
By Debra Fine
Hyperion Books
www.DebraFine.com
Englewood, CO 80111
Enough of my thought of the day....here ya go:
Thanksgiving can mean the ideal family get together or a day of awkward moments, uncomfortable silences and eruptions of family feuds. Here are Debra Fine's Top 10 Conversation Bombshells:
1. "Are you two ever going to get married?" Most of us mothers (I am guilty as charged!) along with the rest of the planet presume that long time dating results in marriage. It ain’t necessarily so! And for those young people at the table already blissfully wed: "When are you two going to make me a grandmother?" Back off! If they wanted you to know their intimate intentions they would be sure to send you a press release.
2. “I heard Sarah got into Northwestern…why in the world is she going to Michigan State instead?” Maybe the stock market plunge has put a damper on attending private institutions. Got a problem with the Spartans’?
3."No, thanks. I gave up drinking after I saw the toll it took on you." This is meant to deliberately point a finger. If you must address someone’s over indulgence do it in private! And making someone feel bad about him or herself does not typically motivate better behavior.
4. “Why did you two leave that beautiful home for this dump?” APR and no interest loans created a housing crisis for all not just those strangers you read about in the newspapers. Remember what Mom always said, if you have nothing nice to say…shut up!
5. “I knew your candidate did not stand a chance, what do you have to say for yourself now?” Stop gloating, there are plenty people eating turkey after the election, no need to rub it in. We are all in this together.
6. "Aren't you full yet?" or "Why aren't you eating anything?" Leave us alone about what we eat or don’t eat and worry about what you put in your own mouth. Just because eating at the holiday dinner table is a marathon of gorging for some for others it may be an Olympic feat of discipline. Also, just because you slaved over the pumpkin pie or prepared grandma’s traditional stuffing does not mean we are required to consume it. Eating is a personal decision!
7. "Yes, I know you're a parent. But haven't you ever thought about working?" Is this just a reflection of the Mommy wars? Whether someone chooses to work outside of the home or stay at home with their kids it is their choice and we should respect that choice and instead show a genuine interest in her: “What are the challenges of staying at home with kids today?” or “Describe a typical day…” or “What keeps you busy outside of work/home?”
8. "I see you still can't be bothered with ironing a shirt." Leave him alone. His priorities are not the same as yours. Appreciate that he wore a nice button down shirt!
9. "How is it that your son looks just like you and your daughter looks like she could be from a different family?" Personal questions that you do not know the answer to are never a good idea. Other examples include: “Did your son get into Yale?” and “How is the girlfriend?”
10. "Did you cook this yourself, or did you just thaw it out?" You may be asking because you sincerely wish to know how you can create this dish yourself but you are putting the host/hostess on the spot. Instead ask for the recipe after the meal. If it was not homemade she will let you know at that time or maybe be coy and say that the recipe is a family tradition that is not shared outside the family!
Debra Fine is available to talk about the Fine Art of Small Talk at Thanksgiving. If you're ready to listen, she's ready to talk!
The Fine Art of Small Talk
By Debra Fine
Hyperion Books
www.DebraFine.com
Englewood, CO 80111
posted by Susan Yager | 10:30 AM
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