Would it be improper etiquette not to interact with any of my family during thanksgiving dinner?

Question

Is it improper etiquette to just sit at the table mutely and eat? I dont interact with anyone and i'm not about to start interacting with relatives i've seen but never really interacted with before. Last year i just sat at the table like a petrified mummy and never said anything and then i overheard some of them saying that am i retarded. Some people tryed to interact with me but i just answer with one word. What should i do that would be proper etiquette at a table taking into account the fact that i'm not social and i never interact with anyone

Answer 1

if you are like that, there is no problem

:> peace
.

Answer 2

Yes, it is improper etiquette to behave like you described. It's good to go deeper, why and h ow has etiquette developed? In any culture social gatherings are important to keep the group informed, organized, and committed. No matter how independent you may consider yourself, there are always situations where you must rely on others, and others on you. Etiquette facilitates this and enriches your network. The greater your network, the more connected within that social group you will be and the more opportunities you will have to do whatever you like to do. Etiquette also limits social contact, if you wish to be more private, that same etiquette will protect you. You are really in command of how far you want to go, but if you do attend a social gathering, just by being there you have agreed to be with the group, thus the etiquette must be followed. If you do not want to interact whatsoever with a group, not attending would resolve the issue of interacting.

Answer 3

Unfortunately yes it would. However, all of us have experiences like that, where we don't feel like talking. If someone from your family calls you retarded, there isn't a very strong relationship there, is there? If you want to be more social, imagine that you are acting, or that it's some kind of game. And tell yourself that you're not gonna see them for a year, so it doesn't really matter if you talk too much or anything. Or simply don't go.

Answer 4

Dude, don't bother going if you aren't going to be able to interact with their family. They probably know that thats just who you are, but really the not socializing thing is something you should see a psychologist for. There's something wrong and you should fix it you don't want to be like that for the rest of your life do you?

Answer 5

I get like that, too. It is kind of rude to not even make the attempt though.

Give them a chance if you expect one in return. After all, how you treat your family will be done in public as well. Tough to function if you won't try to interact. Not everyone sucks.

Answer 6

Maybe you should let the word get around that you've taken a vow of silence as a spiritual practice-- perhaps to remind you of the gift of free speech for which you are so grateful as a US citizen. This will get you off the hook and tap into the spirit of the holiday-- and maybe get others thinking about their mindless chatter.

Namaste

Answer 7

If you are going to act like that, why not just take your plate of food and eat in the kitchen? Unless you are being forced to attend Thanksgiving dinner, it doesn't seem like you should be there. You certainly aren't enjoying yourself and you are probably making the other relatives uncomfortable.

Answer 8

Pshhh ignore them. Let them call you retarded you dont see them for a year and only see you once a year and they call you retarded. You would think after not seeing other people for a year they would have something better to talk about. Just sit there and eat and smile and look dumb then make a quick escape.

Answer 9

Ppl on the dinner table used to criticize me for ingesting too plenty (while i became into obese). Now that i'm narrow, they criticize me for no longer ingesting sufficient and inquire from me if there is something incorrect with the pie bc I ate basically one piece. No stabbings at our table. yet.

Answer 10

If I felt as you do I'd be so depressed that I wouldn't be able to go. If you have health insurance, you should consider seeing a psychiatrist for proper medication & he will refer you to a therapist for talk therapy. Please do this as the way you are feeling isn't normal & life is way too short to be feeling the way you do.

Answer 11

Don't have dinner with anyone. If you don't live where you're supposed to have dinner, stay home and if you do live there, take your plate to your room. I'm sure your inability to be pleasant makes other people wish you weren't there anyway.