Safe Topics to Discuss Over Thanksgiving

How to Avoid Upsetting Encounters over the Holiday

Photo by Alison Marras on Unsplash

Since tomorrow is the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S., I’m sending this post today so readers can consider it. I’d suggest avoiding the controversial topics of religion and politics. People rarely change their minds, so if you know someone with a different view on politics or religion, don’t talk to them about it.

Subconscious Fat at 30,000 feet

“It’s interesting how you say this, yet you often argue with me.”

When I walked in, Mr. Skeptical was eerily quiet. However, I knew that wouldn’t last long. “It’s usually you who starts with me. And I’ll admit I sometimes can’t resist arguing back with you.”

“I don’t think you’ve ever convinced me to change my mind.”

Maybe not, but I’ve gotten you to shut up and literally shrink in size. I want to tell him that so badly, but I bite my tongue. Instead, I utter, “Your statement proves my point. It’s foolish to argue, especially regarding politics and religion.”

“All arguing does is usually entrench the person deeper into what they are defending.”

“Exactly my point. Consequently, I want to bring up a few interesting topics about Thanksgiving that will hopefully be safe to talk about over Thanksgiving dinner.”

“Spit them out.”

“One is the interesting phenomenon where many get tired after eating Thanksgiving dinner.“

“Yes, I often snooze after eating.”

“That’s a popular pastime after eating turkey. Many might have heard that it happens due to an essential amino acid called tryptophan, found in turkey. The neurotransmitter helps create feelings of well-being and happiness. However, many animal-based products and some nuts and seeds have tryptophan, so the tiredness experienced after eating turkey is not from tryptophan alone. It’s because all the blood is concentrated in the digestive system.”

Mr. Skeptical laughs, “Yeah, that leaves less blood for the brain. So, family members tend to say stupid things.”

“Yes, lots of family members will say dumb things. Hopefully, not about politics and religion.”

Mr. Skeptical pouts his lips. “I doubt it.”

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Subconscious Fat at 10,000 feet

“We can look back at some of our posts to create interesting conversation starters without getting into sensitive subjects.”

“But we usually argue over them.”

My eyes narrow. “Not everyone is as skeptical and disagreeable as you.”

“I say what’s on my mind.”

A mind that’s full of rocks! Again, I bite my tongue. “One of the reasons I write this post is to have interesting topics to talk about when training my clients. These same topics can be discussed over Thanksgiving dinner.”

“I doubt you could find one I agreed with.”

“One of my favorite posts was the third one I wrote, Murdaugh and Murder Rhyme, about how our names affect our lives. I believe our names to be the most significant Subconscious Fat humans have. I recall the quote from the psychologist Gordon Allport: 

The most important anchorage to our self-identity throughout life remains our name. 

Subconscious Fat at Eye-Level

Since everyone is eating turkey, why not discuss the iguana problem in South Florida?”

Mr. Skeptical folds his arms. “I totally disagree with you on that one. You suggest we eat them, and they’re gross.”

“Eating them would be the most effective way to eliminate the invasive species. Other countries do it. Why not us?”

“The topic could ruin people’s appetite.”

“Here is one that I’ll quote from

dynomight

called The Seeds of Science

That the coefficient of thermal expansion for concrete is 1.1 × 10⁻⁵ / °C while the coefficient for carbon steel is 1.2 × 10⁻⁵ / °C which is close enough that steel-reinforced concrete buildings don’t crumble when the temperature changes although they won’t last for centuries like ancient Roman pure-concrete structures have.

“The post The Romans Had a Technology Superior to Ours is about that, and how if we had that Roman technology now, we could’ve prevented the Champlain Towers collapse that killed 98 people.”

“Not exactly a happy topic to discuss.”

“No. But it’s still better than arguing. A much happier post is the recent one on how dogs should be our doctors.”   

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Practical Suggestions and Conclusions

A final topic to bring up to avoid politics and religion would be the post called Is Fiber Really Healthy?

“I disagree with you on that one.”

“I know you do, but in that post, I show the scientific evidence favoring my side.”

Mr. Skeptical shrugs his shoulders and looks away, which is telling and proves my point. Someone who doesn’t want to see something simply won’t. Don’t argue. Enjoy the time with family and friends and keep the conversation interesting but light. It’s not worth getting upset over.

Do and be what the holiday is supposed to be about. Be grateful and aware.

PS Full disclosure: Chat GPT was used to research and enhance this post.

PSS Future posts will always be released on Thursdays at 11:57 AM–except for tomorrow, Thanksgiving.