5 Taboo Topics at Holiday Dinners
During the holidays, you may have plans to get together with family, friends and co-workers. Perhaps you haven’t spent much social time with certain people throughout the year and you have much to share and catch up on. If you would like to maximize the enjoyment of your social gatherings, consider avoiding the following subjects. Of course, we all know to steer clear of topics such as religion and politics. Here are five others:
- Separation/Divorce. – Holiday dinners should be filled with cheer. Discussing someone’s infidelities or recent break up has the potential to lower the social morale of the entire group. Additionally, play it safe and avoid talking about past boyfriends and girlfriends too.
- Money issues. – Keep in mind it’s not appropriate to ask someone how much money they make or what they received for a bonus this year. Also, if someone owes you money, it’s a personal matter and should be discussed in private at a later date.
- Long standing disagreements. – If you have an issue with a relative, acquaintance, or colleague, either make the choice to forget about it and move on or opt to discuss it some other time. Rehashing embarrassing or painful past events is sure to further the conflict.
- Intimacy. – Children and grandchildren are a blessing, but sharing “we’re trying to get pregnant” with a group of relatives or co-workers may conjure up images of you and your partner that should be kept private.
- Illness/Surgery. – If you or someone you know is ill or had a recent surgery and you feel tempted to share the gruesome specifics…please refrain. No one wants to hear about physical ailments or gory details while eating dinner.
Some subjects that fall within the “safety zone” would be recent or upcoming vacations, offering compliments about the host’s party/food, upcoming holiday plans, funny people, great movies, favorite TV shows, and the old reliable topics…weather, sports and pets. Keeping conversation polite, general and positive is sure to keep your name on the guest list for years to come.
Wishing you much happiness and merriment this holiday season!
Patricia Rossi, America’s Etiquette and Protocol Coach, www.patriciarossi.com
