What Are The Worst Things Guests Do At Thanksgiving

Eating Well surveyed hosts and have compiled the rudest things we can do as guests at the Thanksgiving table

• Using cellphones - All of the etiquette experts agree this is the worst offender, and it’s one we’re all guilty of at some point. Sure, our phones are a part of our daily life, but they don’t belong at the table, especially on Thanksgiving. The whole point of the occasion is to be thankful for being together, and a phone is just a distraction from that. There’s nothing in your Instagram feed or on TikTok that can’t wait until after the meal.
• Bringing uninvited guests - Your Thanksgiving host has everything carefully planned out based on the number of people attending, so showing up with an extra person can mess all that up. Even if there’s plenty of food, there are seating arrangements to consider, plus it’s just rude. If you want to ask someone who’s not on the guest list to dinner, be polite and ask your host if it’s okay first.
• Criticizing the food - Everything served at dinner may not be your favorite, but complaining isn’t the way to go. The host has put time, effort and care into the meal, so even if you despise something, keep it to yourself.
• Salting the food before tasting it - Reaching for the salt before you even try the food can be really offensive to the person who cooked it. So, don’t be that person.
• Arriving late - If you realize you won’t be on time to Thanksgiving dinner, let your host know ASAP. Being late to a sit-down meal can delay it, cause the food to be cold or overcooked and it’s disrespectful. Sometimes things come up that are out of your control, but a text or a call to notify the host of your tardiness can go a long way.