Hopefully, we all know to avoid politics and religion at holiday social occasions where guests of differing ideological and spiritual leanings have gathered, for a good, festive time. Unless you want a reputation as the one who ruined Thanksgiving, you should steer clear of the other subjects and lines of questioning.
Are you in a relationship?
If there is anything a single person likes more than attending family functions alone, it is being cornered about their love life in front of everyone. Whether their current dating landscape is non-existent or not, they don't want to jinx it, or somewhere in between, give them a break from the scrutiny. They may be trying to forget about their lack of partner or perfectly happy alone, but not for justifying it.
When are you going to ask the question?
Pressure to get their intimate relationship into a marriage is something that everyone loves. Couples that have been together for a while but are not hitched should keep their personal lives under wraps. You shouldn't put them on the spot because you can't deal with their timelines. When someone else is not around, you can always get the scoop from them.
Are you expecting?
Let me count the ways how this question rankles. It could be caused by a woman not drinking, her refusal of certain foods, or a growing midline, all of which are wrong reasons to ask a woman if she is pregnant. Do you know what the right reason is? There is a trick question. If she looks like she is carrying a basketball under her shirt, then she should not be asked if she is pregnant, unless she has verified she is growing a human.
Why are you not drinking?
It is understandable to be curious when someone does not drink. It is not your place to ask if the person is sober. It could be because they don't want the room to know about it. Don't ask "How's recovery going?" at an event drenched in wine.
Did your kids get the vaccine?
Most of us know if the adults in our families have gotten the vaccine. The FDA approved emergency use of the vaccine for kids age 5-11 in late October. If your kids will be in close proximity with other children, a holiday meal is not the time to discuss it. Before you arrive, you should ask if anything will affect your comfort level.
There are controversial news stories.
A congenial group conversation can be cast a pall on by someone asking, "How about that Kyle Rittenhouse verdict?" In a room full of people who don't agree, don't introduce topics about race, gun violence, or abortion, to name a few. This is a day for us to be thankful for our families, not wondering how we ever associated with them.
What can you talk about?
It can be tempting to stray away from safe topics if you are angry about the state of the world. The host has spent a lot of time planning so that everyone can have a good time. Out of respect for their hard work, stick to innocuous, lighthearted topics like sports, movies, music, travel, and new exercise or health trends. The new sport of 2022. Discuss.
