Thanksgiving is time for family to gather around the table and enjoy a meal together, but there’s also an endless amount of television to watch.
Between the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the National Dog Show and multiple football games, there’s reason to have the TV on all day.
For some families, having a TV thanksgiving is tradition, but for others it’s considered the height of rudeness.
So what’s the proper etiquette?
In Bon Appétit’s “Modern Guide to Thanksgiving Etiquette,” experts argue that football is as vital to Thanksgiving as turkey.
However, they advise making sure the television doesn’t “dominate” the environment — and turn it off during the actual meal, and there should be no devices or cell phones when there is food on the table.
If you feel you must wear a jersey to root for your team, Bon Appétit said proper etiquette would be to change for the meal, and “no face paint or mascot costumes at the table, ever.”
And there’s etiquette to keep in mind when watching the game as well.
There’s plenty of potential room for arguments at a Thanksgiving celebration, but a football rivalry shouldn’t be one of them.
Etiquette expert Diane Gottsman shared on her blog that basic ground rules should be set before the game starts, such as no name-calling or slander.
“Focus on the game—not the people in the room,” she wrote. “If someone asks you to dial it down, do it. You may be getting carried away without even knowing it.”
She explained that there’s a difference between teasing and taunting someone cheering for the opposite team. While teasing is good-natured and light-hearted, taunting is mean-spirited and has the intention of hurting, belittling or humiliating the other person. Be sure to tease, not taunt.
A sure way to keep it civil is to compliment the other team when deserved. If they make a good play, be a good sport about it. And remember kids might be around and watching, so set a good example and show respect to the rivals.
“Being a good winner or loser shows your child what is positive and appropriate behavior,” Gottsman wrote.
Getting mad and throwing things at the TV makes for a bad environment. If you’re frustrated, step outside for fresh air or take a walk, or grab a glass of water and close your eyes to regroup.
And remember that not everyone is a football fan. If people want to sit in another room, let them.
At the end of the day, the person hosting the gathering is the one who gets to decide whether the TV is on or off and whether football will be a part of the day.
The host calls the shots, and guests should let the host be the guide to what’s acceptable and what’s not, EatingWell explained.
“If in doubt, observe the behavior of the host or those around you,” Jamila Musayeva, a certified etiquette coach, told the outlet. “Follow the cues of the gathering [and] be mindful of the host’s customs.”
