Texans Say Skip These Topics at Thanksgiving This Year

Thanksgiving in Texas presents a unique experience, featuring larger tables, sweeter tea, and rapidly escalating conversations.

Whether in Midland, Odessa, or anywhere between a mesquite tree and a pumpjack, Thanksgiving gatherings unite families from diverse backgrounds.

With Texans usually feeling the strain of holiday stress, it is more than likely that you and your family feel some kind of holiday frustration to some degree.

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Interactions at the Thanksgiving Day Table

In a perfect world, everyone at the dinner table would treat each other with respect and joy, but that is not always the case in many households around the Lone Star State.

While the notion of getting along is ideal, families must recognize the potential conversational pitfalls that one should navigate to maintain harmony and avoid unwanted attention or dirty looks from Grandma.

Topics of Conversation to Avoid at Thanksgiving

Politics

Not everyone falls into the same realm of being a fan of any particular side when it comes to politics.

Let's face it, talking about politics at the dinner table is a fast way for things to get ugly, especially when family members have differing opinions or take opposing sides.

Save it for another day when you’re not passing the mashed potatoes to someone who might throw them at you if the conversation gets heated.

Money

The topic of money is always a controversial subject, regardless of the time of year.

Asking someone how much they make, why they haven’t bought a house yet, or when they’re going to “get a real job” is a guaranteed way to make the rolls rise faster than the tension at the table.

With inflation, high housing costs, and the rollercoaster oilfield economy that Midland-Odessa folks know all too well, it’s best to steer clear of anyone’s financial situation.

Relationships

As we age, sometimes we see less and less of our relatives than when we were kids.  Thanksgiving is usually an exception to that, as many of us see family we have not seen since last year.

Inquiring about someone's marriage plans, children, or general relationship status is a sure way to ruin the holiday vibe.

So keep the "When are you going to get married?" or the "Why did y'all break up?" questions for another time.

Read More: The Reason Why The Dallas Cowboys Always Play on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving should be about connection, gratitude, and second helpings, not conflict.

Focusing conversations on shared memories, family stories, local happenings, or even the latest high school football scores in the Basin can keep things light and full of lasting memories.