The Rudest Things You Can Do at Thanksgiving (And How to Avoid Them)

Thanksgiving is a time for families to get together and be thankful for one another. It’s also a time to watch your manners so youre Tia won’t scold you about your bad manners! However, it’s not just the young kids who need some lessons on table manners!

Eatingwell.com asked a few etiquette experts for some tips on what people should avoid doing at the dinner table during the holidays and while some seem like common sense, others may surprise you.

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Take notes, and you’ll be everyone’s favorite guest (or at least not the one people avoid next year).  

1. Whipping Out Your Phone

We get it—you’re glued to your phone 24/7. But at the Thanksgiving table? Big no-no. “The whole point is to be present,” says Nick Leighton, etiquette expert and podcast host. Put your phone on silent and focus on actual face-to-face conversations.  

2. Bringing a Plus-One Without Asking

Surprise guests might seem fun in movies, but in real life? Not so much. Hosts plan everything down to the mashed potato portions, so always ask before you bring someone. “It’s about respecting the host’s effort,” says Jo Hayes, an etiquette consultant.  

3. Salting Before Tasting

Grabbing the salt shaker before even tasting the food screams, “I don’t trust your cooking.” Just don’t do it, okay?  

4. Criticizing the Food  

Even if Aunt Linda’s stuffing tastes like cardboard, keep it to yourself. Thanksgiving is about gratitude, not Gordon Ramsay-level critiques.  

5. Arriving Late 

Turkey waits for no one. Showing up late disrupts the entire meal and stresses out your host. Be on time—your pumpkin pie depends on it.  

This Thanksgiving, show gratitude with good manners. And if you’re feeling extra fancy, bring a bottle of wine or flowers. You’ll definitely be the favorite every year! (Unless, they don’t drink.. Then, you’re screwed.)