A national survey says smart phones and politics are two things Missourians should not bring to the Thanksgiving table. Doug Jeske, president of Des Moines branding and marketing agency Meyocks, says the survey finds Thanksgiving is a time for family, not Facebook.
“About 70% of Americans say they find the use of mobile phones and other devices at the Thanksgiving table annoying,” Jeske says, “yet 43% still allow it.”
The survey suggests the Thanksgiving dinner hosts make a rule before the feast begins that anyone caught using their phone during the meal has to wash all of the dishes.
We as Americans profess to wanting to be with our families at Thanksgiving yet some of us find ways to disconnect from them when we’re together. Maybe if there was a disincentive of having to help with cleanup, it might keep us focused on the conversation at hand.”
It’s long been said that polite conversation should not include politics or religion. The survey found politics is declining as a popular topic on Turkey Day.
“Four years ago, one in four Americans said that politics typically came up at the Thanksgiving table,” Jeske says. “This year, it’s down to one in six. We’re a little divided as a nation, perhaps a lot divided, so it’s easier to talk about the good things that are going on or how good mom’s pecan pie is, rather than talk about things like impeachment.”
While mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce remain a constant on the Thanksgiving menu, the latest survey found one change from tradition.
“Turkey still dominates as a Thanksgiving dinner item, but mac and cheese, for the first time since we’ve been doing the survey, made the top ten list of dishes,” Jeske says.
As for religion, one in five of those surveyed say they never say a prayer at the Thanksgiving table. That’s up slightly from 17% in 2016. Also this year, nearly one in five surveyed say they’ll have groceries delivered for Thanksgiving.
By Matt Kelley of Radio Iowa
