How US Thanksgiving Wasn't What I Expected

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[ThePCguy]

Funny you should mention that Thanksgiving isn't Christmas, because I'm pretty sure that there's not a single retailer in on the continent that still remembers this fact.

[rhino]

The best thing about Thanksgiving is how low key it is. You don't have to spend money (except for gas/ transportation if you are traveling, and food if you are hosting, and even then you can ask people to help by bringing a dish). Years ago, I felt sorry for a classmate from another country who was going to be left alone for the holidays and asked if he wanted to join me in my town about an hour away for Thanksgiving for three days. I told him when to be at my apt to leave and when I opened the door he had on a suit, a bottle of wine in his hands, his hair slicked back with some sort of pomade, and smelled like cologne. I had showered and brushed my teeth, but other than that basic preparation I had on jeans, a old sweatshirt, sneakers, no makeup, and my hair in a ponytail that took me 2 seconds. I said, "Ok then, let's go". 30 years later, we've been married for 21 years and have three grown children. That is the power of Thanksgiving.

[tammyt]

"Unless you're the one cooking all the food."

"Grandma, do you need any help?"
"No, no, just go sit in the livingroom, your grandfather wants to see you!"
Miss you Grandma. And Grandpa. And Grandpa's three jokes.

[jenniferburns]

Like most Americans, i took Thanksgiving for granted until the year we had a college student from Spain with us for the holiday. Explaining the holiday and the foods to her and answering questions made me realize how special it is.

[Jovial_Jester]

Mad respect for your respect of the late, great John Candy.

The United States of America is happy to have you!

[dstroma]

They are clearly and very obviously candles, but my brain keeps saying "orange juice" every 10 seconds.

[lulienewcomb]

I’m thankful to have co-starred in the film “planes Trains and Automobiles “. It was the only big movie I was in during my youthful acting days, and it’s gratifying to see it turned into a cult classic and tradition for so many people. ( LulieNewcomb, playing “Owen’s Wife) . So happy it means something special to you, Lawrence!

[seaeagle]

The lack of pressure, as you point out, is exactly why Thanksgiving is the best holiday. No commercials, no greed, just friends, family, and a good meal.

[timduncan]

The difference between Stuffing and Dressing is Stuffing is cooked stuffed inside the turkey and Dressing is cooked in (usually) a casserole dish.

[GohanKanor]

I appreciate you bringing up the strain on those of us who must prepare meals. It's a lot to do all by yourself if you don't have help.

[patrickstewart]

It was gracious of the cat to allow you to appear in his (her?) video.

[nickolasgenoff]

I dated a lady in Canada. She invited me to her Thanksgiving family gathering.
I let my mom know I wouldn't be at her house for Thanksgiving. Plenty of notice, early October.
I get a call a week later, and the lady is worried sick. I explained that I was getting ready to have dinner and everything was fine. That's when I learned Canada has a different date for Thanksgiving.

[anthonycalbillo]

As a Hispanic American, I loved Thanksgiving because (afterward). My mom, and grandmothers would make turkey tamales!

[janisrobinson]

One Thanksgiving in the 70's, my family played host to 109 aunts, uncles and cousins. What a day!

[captainentropy]

Once on a public bus journey home from a folk festival in the UK in the evening, the entire bus started singing Bohemian rhapsody together. It was amazing and has never been repeated.

[emilywagner]

The best part of this video is the teleporting cat. 😺

[ValkyrieTiara]

I'm pretty sure he said it as a joke, but I want to clarify for any non-Americans that Thanksgiving is not specifically about giving thanks for food, it's about giving thanks in general. Being thankful for friends, family, life, love, and whatever other blessings you might have in your life. Often including the meal in front of you at the moment, of course lol You can sorta think of it as New Years is about looking to the future, Christmas is about appreciating the present (ha), and Thanksgiving is about looking back to the past.

[jcortese]

I adore how your kitty was like, "Oh, are you filming?" Such a cute little stormcloud. 🙂

[SJLamb-tedt]

My family does thanksgiving as sort of a potluck. Grandmother usually made the main dish, (turkey and roast beef) and piled on the potatoes and carrots with the meat. She made the finger foods too. Everyone else brought side dishes or pies or cakes, people who were too busy to cook brought store bought pies, cookies, sodas, juices, and snacks. After when everyone was starting to go home we divided the leftovers and everyone went home with a few days worth of dinners. And a massive amount of pies cookies and cake.

[cubbyjo]

For the record - I’m as southern as they get but no one I know eats oyster stuffing. Cornbread dressing is ubiquitous.