Not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving November 26, 2009 9:45 AM Subscribe

Reminder to Americans: Not all MeFites live in your country, hence any references to “Thanksgiving” will be meaningless (or, for Canadians, will have arrived a month late).

Thanksgiving isn’t like New Year’s Day: It isn’t universally recognized and it doesn’t have a fixed date worldwide.

American MeFites who post about “Thanksgiving” are actually posting about American Thanksgiving.

An acknowledgement that the readers of your post might not live in a country that celebrates Thanksgiving, or might live in Canada where it’s celebrated in October, would show greater understanding of the global reach of this site.

posted by joeclark to Etiquette/Policy at 9:45 AM (412 comments total) 8 users marked this as a favorite

Those who have truck with the elephant have to sidle out of the way occasionally.
posted by orange swan at 9:47 AM on November 26, 2009 [17 favorites]

Reminder to non-Americans: all the daytime mods do celebrate American Thanksgiving so if you could be cool today while we hang out with our families and/or friends we'd really appreciate it.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 9:49 AM on November 26, 2009 [69 favorites]

"Thanksgiving isn’t like New Year’s Day: It isn’t universally recognized and it doesn’t have a fixed date worldwide."

New Year's Day isn't like New Year's Day, you insensitive clod.
posted by Eideteker at 9:52 AM on November 26, 2009 [61 favorites]

Sounds like someone's got a case of the Thursdays.
posted by mr_crash_davis mark II: Jazz Odyssey at 9:53 AM on November 26, 2009 [26 favorites]

Thanksgiving isn’t like New Year’s Day: It isn’t universally recognized and it doesn’t have a fixed date worldwide.

I offer for your consideration a little variety.
posted by Schlimmbesserung at 9:54 AM on November 26, 2009 [3 favorites]

Happy Thanksgiving, US MeFites! Happy very-belated Thanksgiving, Canadian MeFites! Everyone else, sucks to be you.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 9:54 AM on November 26, 2009 [13 favorites]

you could express your anger through music, say by listening to Metachat Radio's (anti) Thanksgiving Show. (cough cough I'm hosting cough)
posted by The Whelk at 9:55 AM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

and a very merry Fall Harvest Festival to us all in the Northern Hemisphere. Everyone think hugs now.
posted by The Whelk at 9:56 AM on November 26, 2009

Jofus is to blame.
posted by Stewriffic at 9:56 AM on November 26, 2009 [5 favorites]

In England it's the day when we give thanks that large numbers of our whackjob fundies fucked off to America and left us to our semi-pagan alcoholic haze, socialised abortions and science-based school curricula.
posted by Abiezer at 9:58 AM on November 26, 2009 [139 favorites]

Those not celebrating Thanksgiving have an aggregate net flow of thanks received. Individual results may vary, but still, that's not terrible.
posted by cortex (staff) at 9:59 AM on November 26, 2009 [5 favorites]

I AM THE PUPPET MASTER. I AM THE WEAVER. BEHOLD MY AWESOME POWERS. ALSO GIVE ME A TURKEY SAMMICH.
posted by Jofus at 10:00 AM on November 26, 2009 [6 favorites]

/me passes Jofus a turkey sammie.
posted by Stewriffic at 10:01 AM on November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving everybody in the whole universe!
posted by marxchivist at 10:01 AM on November 26, 2009

You can still give thanks, you know. But no one's forcing you to.

Personally, I'm thankful white folks didn't kill ALL the Injuns.
posted by Eideteker at 10:05 AM on November 26, 2009

I am Thankful for: decent health, and all you awesome imaginary internet people.
posted by The Whelk at 10:05 AM on November 26, 2009 [4 favorites]

Oh, I understand the global reach of this site. I understand it just fine.
posted by Shohn at 10:14 AM on November 26, 2009 [2 favorites]

any references to “Thanksgiving” will be meaningless

I realize from this statement that you are probably not residing in this country, and you do not traditionally celebrate Thanksgiving. However, you are welcome to participate in our day of gratitude, sharing and thanks with us, and subscribe whatever meaning to it you wish. Please come take a seat at the table, help yourself to whatever you like, and celebrate the day. We are happy to have you join us. Happy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,
America
posted by iamkimiam at 10:14 AM on November 26, 2009 [54 favorites]

Out of curiosity, do any "I want you to make consessions to my percception of other people's sesnibilities and not offend them" threads ever go well?
posted by cjorgensen at 10:14 AM on November 26, 2009

Sounds like someone's got a case of the Thursdays.

Some of us don't recognize "thursday". I am at a loss to explain why Wednesday is 48 hours long, but it has always been that way, and always will.
posted by blue_beetle at 10:14 AM on November 26, 2009 [30 favorites]

Oh man... thank you for fighting about Thanksgiving everyone. It reminds me of being back home for the holiday. Arguing with people is what Thanksgiving is all about!
posted by milkrate at 10:15 AM on November 26, 2009 [21 favorites]

Sometimes I see Canadians moving their mouths, but all I hear is Marsha Marsha Marsha!.
posted by fleacircus at 10:15 AM on November 26, 2009 [12 favorites]

I am delighted that my American colleagues are having a great holiday and not sending me work.
posted by patricio at 10:16 AM on November 26, 2009 [5 favorites]

I bow before Jofus! HIS TWEET LED ME HERE!

That said, even tho Metafilter has acquainted me with many US customs (probably more so than TV & cinema), Thanksgiving is still truly weird to me.

What's even weirder is that our work canteen had a Thanksgiving menu today (admittedly I work for an American company, which even has the word "American" in its name. Still. We're in Britain!!). No doubt a few years from now we'll have absorbed this much like we have Halloween.

NB this is not a rant, neither lonely nor alcoholic. Just an observation.
posted by ClarissaWAM at 10:19 AM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

I am thankful for being SILENCED ALL MY LIFE.
posted by Eideteker at 10:22 AM on November 26, 2009 [10 favorites]

Happy Thanksgiving you bunch of wierdos
posted by nola at 10:23 AM on November 26, 2009 [3 favorites]

Human nature being what it is, I think this problem will best be solved by citizens of other nations making their own culture-specific FPPs, rather than trying to get citizens of the United States to append "American" before any mention of Thanksgiving, football, or biscuits.
posted by Pater Aletheias at 10:24 AM on November 26, 2009 [18 favorites]

Any rough estimate of % of MeFites who are, in fact, American?
posted by davidmsc at 10:29 AM on November 26, 2009

I was in America around Thanksgiving time once. We had pumpkin pie. It was fucking horrible.

The turkey was nice though.
posted by idiomatika at 10:29 AM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

If you had written this in Spanish it might have made more sense.
posted by HP LaserJet P10006 at 10:33 AM on November 26, 2009 [2 favorites]

"Please come take a seat at the table, help yourself to whatever you like, and celebrate the day.

be careful - we've tried that line before. just ask the natives how that worked out.
posted by nadawi at 10:35 AM on November 26, 2009

Oh man... thank you for fighting about Thanksgiving everyone. It reminds me of being back home for the holiday. Arguing with people is what Thanksgiving is all about!

Yes, and Metafilter is the biggest, most dysfunctional family any of us will ever belong to.
posted by orange swan at 10:36 AM on November 26, 2009 [8 favorites]

What's the problem here, exactly? I'm Canadian and don't give a shit that it's Thanksgiving in the states, or that people are excited. I could do without the ridiculous 'black friday' commercials (stores opening at 4am for shopping, wtf?), and maybe the all day marathons of bad television shows... but here? What. EVER.
posted by sunshinesky at 10:38 AM on November 26, 2009 [2 favorites]

Jesus criminy, it just goes to show - no matter how silly you think you are being, there is always some crank out there who sincerely subscribes to the argument you were using as a punchline.
It's like some sort of rhetorical Rule 34.

We had pumpkin pie. It was fucking horrible.

Carrot pie is where it's at.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:40 AM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

I AM SICK OF YOUR POSTS ABOUT HATS AND MOUSTACHES!!! NOT EVERYONE HAS A HEAD!!! STICK YOUR EARRINGS, LIPSTICK AND NOSE-CARE PRODUCTS UP YOUR ASSES!!! IF I SEE ANOTHER FPP ABOUT "HAIRCUTS", WHATEVER THE FUCK THEY ARE, I'M GOING TO BLOW MY GODDAMNED NECK OFF!!!!!
posted by popechunk at 10:42 AM on November 26, 2009 [61 favorites]

Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving.
posted by popechunk at 10:43 AM on November 26, 2009 [2 favorites]

Can we all just drink a cup of Schmoopy, and not go out of our way to fuck up the holiday for the people who do celebrate the holiday, most especially the folks who run this place? Because that would be awesome.
posted by rtha at 10:43 AM on November 26, 2009 [6 favorites]

Joe, I think your hat is on a little too tight.
posted by vronsky at 10:44 AM on November 26, 2009 [3 favorites]

Clearly the USA needs to push a little more cultural colonialism wrt T-day... y'all need some pie and mashed potatoes pretty bad, I can tell. Sorry our celebration of he battle of Saratoga cramps your style, ferners, but maybe just enjoy along with us, hmm? I like y'alls holidays, for the record. I'm looking at you, India.

So is this the official "What did you make for Thanksgiving?" thread? Yay!

Sugared cranberries
Stuffing with pine nuts and squaw bread (which has to keep this effed up name because there's apparently no other way to descrikbe it. it's brown. it's dark brown. no, it's no pumpernickel.)
Pumpkin pie (actually, sweet meat squash)
Brown Sugar Sour Cream ice cream (with bourbon)
Cranberry sorbet
Cinnamon caramel sauce
Maple whipped cream

So, basically, I'm team: stuffing and special agent: dessert accoutrements. Plus a pie because I had the squash already.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 10:44 AM on November 26, 2009 [2 favorites]

As I've grown older, I've really grown to like Thanksgiving a lot. It's a day all about eating and drinking and hanging out with people you love. I hope everyone has a day like that today, no matter where they are in the world.

That's super great and everything but people who are not in America are sitting at their desks eating yogurt with a fork. And working 10-hour days. And running to the doctor as soon as they get out of work and then going home to do two loads of laundry and bathe the dog. So, again, super extra great that you want me to fill my day with food and hanging out with people I love but that's not happening.
posted by kate blank at 10:45 AM on November 26, 2009 [14 favorites]

Hahaha! That musta been REALLY trippy when you read someone say, like, "Happy Thanksgiving!" and you were all, "Woah! Did I just DREAM the last month???" AT least you Canadians have Thanksgiving - who KNOWS what they are making of that 'Thanksgiving' word outside northern North America!

Did you end up Googling it, or what?
posted by dirtdirt at 10:46 AM on November 26, 2009 [4 favorites]

my "t" key is aking a break for -day, apparenly.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 10:47 AM on November 26, 2009

No, we don't want any of your food, thanks very much! Just put some bloody clothes on!
posted by lazaruslong at 10:47 AM on November 26, 2009 [5 favorites]

Americans only get two or three bank holidays a year. Stop raining on their parade.
posted by Zambrano at 10:48 AM on November 26, 2009 [15 favorites]

That's awesome Kate. I just decided to bring a bunch of single serve yogurts and plastic forks to Thanksgiving dinner tonight. Soo much easier than cooking, and super healthy and challenging to boot!
posted by iamkimiam at 10:49 AM on November 26, 2009 [5 favorites]

Thanks for the reminder joeclark !
posted by Sailormom at 10:52 AM on November 26, 2009

*pings kim in the head with a sugared cranberry*

I pinged your head, dude.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 10:53 AM on November 26, 2009

THANKSGIVING FOOOOOOD FIIIIIIIGHT!!!!
[HURLS PIE AT AMBROSIA VOYEUR]
posted by iamkimiam at 10:54 AM on November 26, 2009

GENTLEMEN YOU CAN'T FIGHT HERE THIS IS THE WAR ROOM
posted by The Whelk at 10:54 AM on November 26, 2009 [10 favorites]

*loads the traditional turkey trebuchet...*
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 10:55 AM on November 26, 2009 [2 favorites]

Oh hey, am I being called out? I used the word "Thanksgivings" in my post but I'm not American. I need to know because the only square I've got left to fill out on my MetaFilter Bingo card is "called out in MetaTalk." Please clarify. Some imaginary prizes rest on this. And imaginary prizes can be ANYTHING. This could win me an Assyrian robot made of dead puppies and happiness clouds.
posted by Kattullus at 10:56 AM on November 26, 2009 [19 favorites]

I'm in the America and I'm working over the Thanksgiving weekend. And I'm also really getting irritated that I keep getting scads of autoresponse emails from clients and whatnot that say some variation of, "We will be out of the office until Monday in order to celebrate Thanksgiving with our families, blah blah blah sorry you're working over the weekend you sorry chump, etc."

I don't even like my family and I'm totally jealous that I can't take the day off to not spend with them.
posted by howrobotsaremade at 10:57 AM on November 26, 2009 [2 favorites]

I have a question though, as a dumbass Canadian...

Why the hell is Thanksgiving on a THURSDAY? The only holidays we ever have in the middle of the week here are things like Christmas, Canada day and Remembrance day (for some lucky provinces!), because they are on specific dates. I don't understand this 'last thursday in November' crap.

And why the hell would you want a big family holiday so close to Christmas? Don't you get sick of all the travel and expense so close together?
posted by sunshinesky at 10:57 AM on November 26, 2009 [6 favorites]

ooops-- I'm not sure where "the America" is, but it's probably better than where I am.
posted by howrobotsaremade at 10:59 AM on November 26, 2009 [2 favorites]

Thanksgiving used be universal until YouTube started enforcing copyright laws, right?
posted by mullacc at 11:00 AM on November 26, 2009

Off in the distance, the blare of the cornucopia horn is heard, signaling the commencement of what is to become a long, messy battle. Marshmallow-topped sticky yam grenades caramelize in a convection oven, waiting for their eventual flinging across the war-room table. Stomachs growl and utensils prepare for the fight.
posted by iamkimiam at 11:02 AM on November 26, 2009

Why the hell is Thanksgiving on a THURSDAY

'cause Lincoln said so.

Why is the Canadian Thanksgiving always on a Monday? 'Cause your Parliament said so.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:03 AM on November 26, 2009 [5 favorites]

Why is the Canadian Thanksgiving always on a Monday? 'Cause your Parliament said so.

Yeah, but our government always puts holidays like this on a Monday. Like our new one in February: Family day. Or Victoria day. Or the civic holiday in Ontario. Or Labour Day.

Thursday just seems really odd. It's in the middle of the fricken week!
posted by sunshinesky at 11:07 AM on November 26, 2009

Also, Sarah Josepha Hale, author of Mary Had a Little Lamb, was probably the greatest influence on Lincoln's decision:

Hale is credited as the individual most responsible for making Thanksgiving a national holiday in the United States; it had previously been celebrated only in New England.[26] Each state scheduled its own holiday, some as early as October and others as late as January; it was largely unknown in the American South. Her advocacy for the national holiday began in 1846 and lasted 17 years before it was successful.[27] In support of the proposed national holiday, she wrote letters to five Presidents of the United States -- Zachary Taylor, Millard Filmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, and Abraham Lincoln. Her initial letters failed to persuade, but the letter she wrote to Lincoln did convince him to support legislation establishing a national holiday of Thanksgiving in 1863.[28] The new national holiday was considered a unifying day after the stress of the American Civil War.[29] Prior to the addition of Thanksgiving, the only national holidays celebrated in the United States were Washington's Birthday and Independence Day.[6]

posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:07 AM on November 26, 2009 [6 favorites]

Americans only get two or three bank holidays a year.

Actually, we get ten. But most of us have to work on the "minor" ones (MLK Day, Presidents Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day). The other six are Christmas, New Years, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving. And some (non-retail/non-food service) companies still have people work Thanksgiving Friday, though that's slowly going by the wayside as Thanksgiving becomes more and more of a four-day weekend.

The real issue is that Americans get far less vacation. The average American only gets something like three weeks of paid time off a year, compared to Europe where in most countries you start at four.
posted by dw at 11:08 AM on November 26, 2009 [9 favorites]

Not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving as one day. But the spirit of thanksgiving is something that should be exercised more than it is. We should let people know how much they mean to us. We should be grateful for what we have.

Thank you, MeFi, for just your being you.
posted by inturnaround at 11:08 AM on November 26, 2009

I'm a Dutchman living in the Middle East, and I'm going to eat a turkey today just to spite you, you weird, twisted, Northern gnome.
posted by atrazine at 11:08 AM on November 26, 2009 [8 favorites]

T'giving on Thursday = 4 day holiday
T'giving on Monday = 3 day holiday
You choose.
posted by Cranberry at 11:10 AM on November 26, 2009 [7 favorites]

people who are not in America are sitting at their desks

Deskist.

In other news: not everyone speaks English or has a desk job, and thus metafilter's pretense for inclusiveness has been revealed for the sham it is.

any references to “Thanksgiving” will be meaningless

I'm not French, but I know what Bastille Day is.

Also, is the tedious ubiquity of CNN the culprit here? In other words, are they blasting images of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade all over the world?
posted by HP LaserJet P10006 at 11:11 AM on November 26, 2009 [2 favorites]

Thursday just seems really odd. It's in the middle of the fricken week!

Yeah, but none of them are going in to work tomorrow.

I love U.S. holidays. It's like a license to slack off.
posted by timeistight at 11:13 AM on November 26, 2009

More info on Hale and Thanksgiving:

Sarah Josepha Hale, (1788-1879), who is called “the Mother of the American Thanksgiving,” is more well-known as the Newport, New Hampshire woman who became editor, or "editress," as she preferred to be called, of the popular nineteenth century publication known as Godey's Lady's Book. Hale was an influential leader who persuaded President Lincoln to declare an annual day of Thanksgiving in 1864. Initially, the date of August 6 had been set, by proclamation.

In 1842, Hale's first mentioned the idea of a national Thanksgiving, according to a book, To My Countrywomen: The Life of Sarah Josepha Hale by Muriel L. Dubois (Apprentice Shop Books, LLC, Bedford, NH, 2006). Thereafter, Hale and her assistant had labored intently to see that dream come true. She believed that the country should follow George Washington's lead. He had selected November 26, 1789, during the fourth week of the month, as a day for the country to engage in prayerful worship to acknowledge its blessings. Therefore, she was dismayed when the August date was declared.</blockquote

posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:14 AM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

I'm a Canadian, and I disapprove of this message.

C'mon JoeClark, are your panties so tight that you need every American to insert a national descriptor in front of everything they do? I mean, who the fuck really cares? I don't go around telling my American friends I'm celebrating "Canadian" Thanksgiving, unless someone appears confused by it. Or "Chinese" New Year, unless someone appears confused by it. Or "British" Christmas... etc.

In short, unless you were absolutely flummoxed by "Thanksgiving" without a national descriptor, get the fuck over it.
posted by modernnomad at 11:16 AM on November 26, 2009 [17 favorites]

Having just done most of the cooking for a holiday to which I have no emotional attachment and where my consumption is limited to side dishes, I'm remain thankful that I don't have a tree trunk rammed up my arse.
posted by holgate at 11:16 AM on November 26, 2009

Or even "I remain thankful". Also thankful for good French wine, which may take the blame for my shoddy typist.
posted by holgate at 11:18 AM on November 26, 2009

It's in the middle of the fricken week!

It's in the middle of the work week NOW, but perhaps Thursday had a different significance back in 1863 when Lincoln first made it a national holiday.

There's a good post waiting to be made about Sarah Josepha Hale.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:19 AM on November 26, 2009

I still don't get why you need a 4 day weekend and a crazy shopping holiday a month before something like christmas...
posted by sunshinesky at 11:19 AM on November 26, 2009

Jesus, I'm Canadian, and even I think this is a pretty pointless request. If it's November, let's just assume they mean Thanksgiving as celebrated in America and move on, kthx?
posted by jacquilynne at 11:24 AM on November 26, 2009

There's also a good post waiting to be made about Salmon P. Chase.

His middle name was 'Portland.'
posted by box at 11:26 AM on November 26, 2009

We had pumpkin pie. It was fucking horrible.
Carrot pie is where it's at.

No, sweet potato pie is where it's at.

Thanksgiving is on a Thursday so everyone can leave work early on Wednesday and blow off work completely on Friday. Thus, Thanksgiving is a 5 day weekend with college or pro-football available every day.
posted by 26.2 at 11:27 AM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

USA! USA! USA!

Damn, is that my little niece? Lookit you all growed up! C'mere and sit in yore uncle's lap!

*shotguns a Budweiser, passes out in the mashed potatoes*
posted by BitterOldPunk at 11:29 AM on November 26, 2009 [6 favorites]

Boxing Day FTW everytime
posted by patricio at 11:31 AM on November 26, 2009

I still don't get why you need a 4 day weekend and a crazy shopping holiday a month before something like christmas...

Cultural practices and traditions can be mystifying, but I'll let you in on a secret: most of them are inherited, and there is no vote on whether or not to preserve most of them. Why do women wear lipstick; why do some cultures bow and other shake hands; why do people still have royal families? It's all one big arbitrary mess.
posted by HP LaserJet P10006 at 11:33 AM on November 26, 2009 [9 favorites]

You know what burns my bacon? Every time here in Buffalo when I go see the Sabres, they play a cover of the old Standell's song "Dirty Water". Except they replace the phrase 'Boston, you're my home' with 'Buffalo, you're my home'. Get your own goddamn song, friggin' town.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 11:35 AM on November 26, 2009 [3 favorites]

Clearly, they should be playing 'Buffalo Stance.'
posted by box at 11:38 AM on November 26, 2009 [3 favorites]

And why the hell would you want a big family holiday so close to Christmas? Don't you get sick of all the travel and expense so close together?

This, actually, is really good for a lot of people. It allows you to spend one major holiday of the season with your family and one with your significant other's family. Or one at home, happily by yourselves, and one with whichever extended family you'd prefer to see. And it means that there is an entire month that feels special, starting with Thanksgiving and ending with New Years. Throw in Halloween at the end of October, and it can be a really fun time of year.

Of course, merchandisers try very hard to ruin it by turning it into an entire season of spend-spend-spend.. Meh.
posted by Ms. Saint at 11:41 AM on November 26, 2009 [5 favorites]

This, actually, is really good for a lot of people. It allows you to spend one major holiday of the season with your family and one with your significant other's family. Or one at home, happily by yourselves, and one with whichever extended family you'd prefer to see.

I actually enjoy the little break in between. Gives us time to recoup financially and emotionally!
posted by sunshinesky at 11:49 AM on November 26, 2009

I'm not USian, but I'm not bothered. I mean, I've been to a Thanksgiving, and thought it was pretty lame, kinda like Christmas but with irony. Anyway, I don't even celebrate Halloween and I'm hardly complaining about that either.

It's Bonfire Night for me all the way. I prefer to remember killing catholics, at least they gave a better fight then the indians.
posted by Sova at 11:54 AM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

Favour, honour, armour.

The problem with Thanksgiving isn't the food or the date, it's the absence of an "o" that we more civilized nations can add a "u" to.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 12:02 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

Pumpkin pie has the same problem as any comfort food: meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, whatever. When it's good, it's just ordinary food tasting the way ordinary food ought to taste. When it's bad, it's depressing as fuck.

Comfort food is like parenting, system administration, the gall bladder, or basic human decency. You need it, but you only notice it when it fails.
posted by nebulawindphone at 12:12 PM on November 26, 2009 [8 favorites]

Happy November 26th (or 27th, depending)!
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 12:13 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

I love travelling & learning about the quaint & idiosyncratic traditions of other countries, so please talk about this "thanks giving" festival all you like.

Sarah Palin, meh, you can shut up about her as soon as you like. Even sooner, if at all possible.
posted by UbuRoivas at 12:16 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

You guys. Get off the internet and eat some pie. You'll feel better.
posted by brittafilter at 12:16 PM on November 26, 2009

Gah.

Meatloaf: Roll it *flat* and add a layer of sauce -- and ham -- then roll it like a log to get the usual shape. But nowhere near the usual taste.

Mac and cheese: don't stop at one cheese. And no, Kraft "4 cheese" macaroni doesn't count. Goes well with spiced feta sausages.

Peanut butter: not much to say here but my spouse does love almond butter instead.

Jelly sandwiches: really? Cause I can't think of another ingredient with so many possible varieties that necessarily = boredom.

Pumpkin pie... there's not much to say there (if you don't hate it) except you haven't had a very good one. Nevermind a very very good one.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 12:18 PM on November 26, 2009

<span lang="en">Also, please clarify that your words will be English before you type them. Not everyone speaks Englsh, so your words are totally confusing to those who don't.

Those who don't speak English and have no concept of context, I mean.

Basically, this is a big problem for robots.</span>
posted by scottreynen at 12:18 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

You guys. Get off the internet and eat some pie. You'll feel better.

Well I would you see but it's a work day.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 12:19 PM on November 26, 2009

What?

Anyway, peoples got to chill out and listen to EZ On the Motion by Ghetto Concept. Now you knows about some Canadian Hip Hop.
posted by chunking express at 12:23 PM on November 26, 2009 [2 favorites]

What do Canadian hip-hop, Canadian football and Canadian Thanksgiving have in common?
posted by box at 12:26 PM on November 26, 2009

Oh, hell, a good sysadmin with a funny hat gets noticed too. All I'm saying is, top-notch straight-up meatloaf (and PB&J, and pumpkin pie, and...) tends to wind up underappreciated by a lot of people, and that's a damn shame.
posted by nebulawindphone at 12:28 PM on November 26, 2009

They are more awesome than their American counterparts?

Priceless by Rascalz ft. Esthero. Fuck Yes.
posted by chunking express at 12:28 PM on November 26, 2009

Well then, screw Baltimore too.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 12:32 PM on November 26, 2009

You're either with Thanksgiving or you're with the turkeys.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 12:34 PM on November 26, 2009 [3 favorites]

Hey kuujjuarapik, they used to do that at Baltimore Skipjacks games, and they'd even go so far as to replace River Charles in the verse with "by the banks of the Inner Harb." That was lame even to a twelve-year old; "Oh, Baltimore you're my home," my eye.

Lol. I think this story pretty much sums up growing in Baltimore:

For the first 13 or so years of my life, I thought the Skipjacks were an NHL hockey team (they were actually a minor-league affiliate of the Washington Capitals). Why did I think this? Because the news reported on their wins and losses like they mattered. I even remember DJs on the radio complaining how they never won, and a parody to the tune of "hit the road Jack" that went: "Hit the road skipjacks/and dont come back, til you win some more for Baltimore."

It was a MINOR LEAGUE TEAM. Minor league teams aren't even trying to win, really, because any player who is good enough will be called up by the parent team.

That's how provincial Baltimore was, and probably still is.
posted by drjimmy11 at 12:35 PM on November 26, 2009

Ok, I read you.

And now I'm picturing our sysadmin as "Badger" with his "very fine hat".
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 12:36 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

To those abroad, I am deeply sorry, please feel free to substitute "second-division" and, I don't know, "Nottingham?"
posted by drjimmy11 at 12:38 PM on November 26, 2009

What do Canadian hip-hop, Canadian football and Canadian Thanksgiving have in common?

They all sometimes involve Snow?
posted by drjimmy11 at 12:39 PM on November 26, 2009 [15 favorites]

Games For Windows Lives is god awful. Is there anything MS can't fuck up?
posted by boo_radley at 12:42 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

Reminder to MeTas: Not all MeFites are cranky curmudgeons, hence any references to “Reminders to Americans” will be meaningless, so carry on with the merry making, over-eating, and football watching.
posted by Argyle at 12:43 PM on November 26, 2009

Michmee Mee? Oh hells yes.
posted by chunking express at 12:44 PM on November 26, 2009

I'm in the US. I have to work later. All the people here I know well enough to consider crashing their holiday are out of town. I just ate an omelet. I want to go home.
posted by little e at 12:48 PM on November 26, 2009

Still Too Much by Ghetto Concept features Kardinall Officiall, Maestro, Snow (!!) and Red One. The best part is when they shout out Calgary and Halifax. WORD.
posted by chunking express at 12:49 PM on November 26, 2009

Pater Aletheias writes "Human nature being what it is, I think this problem will best be solved by citizens of other nations making their own culture-specific FPPs, rather than trying to get citizens of the United States to append 'American' before any mention of Thanksgiving, football, or biscuits."

I feel a stunt posting coming up eleven months hence. It'll be a twofer. I'll be able to confuse at least a couple Americans and be able to call out the inevitable American post next month as a double.

Metafilter: "like Christmas but with irony"
posted by Mitheral at 12:51 PM on November 26, 2009

That's how provincial Baltimore was, and probably still is.

Okay, fine. Just don't go hating on my beloved Baltimore Blast.
posted by dhammond at 12:53 PM on November 26, 2009

drjimmy11 writes "It was a MINOR LEAGUE TEAM. Minor league teams aren't even trying to win, really, because any player who is good enough will be called up by the parent team."

I don't know what game the skipjacks were playing but it sure weren't hockey as Canadians know it.
posted by Mitheral at 12:54 PM on November 26, 2009

Dream Warriors - My Definition Of A Boombastic Jazz Style
posted by chunking express at 12:57 PM on November 26, 2009

drjimmy11, the Skipjacks were so bad that they eventually lost all their NHL affiliations (at times they were a farm team for the Caps, the Penguins, and the Bruins). By then they were real dead-enders: anyone playing for the Jacks had no chance in making it to an NHL squad. Week after week they led the league in penalty minutes. Going to a hockey game at Baltimore Arena guaranteed the fan at least two good fights and probably a bench-clearing brawl. Hell, Steve Carlson (Slap Shot's Steve Hanson) rounded out his career there, alongside current Boston Bruins head coach Claude Julien.

And so we come full circle!
posted by breezeway at 12:57 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

hockey as Canadians know it.

isn't that on a Monday in October?
posted by kuujjuarapik at 12:58 PM on November 26, 2009

Sarah Palin, meh, you can shut up about her as soon as you like. Even sooner, if at all possible.

Not so fast: Palin Tricked By Comedian Again, Says Canada Should Drop Public Health Care
posted by HP LaserJet P10006 at 1:04 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

YOU'RE WELCOME, AMERICA!
posted by Sys Rq at 1:07 PM on November 26, 2009

FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUDDDGE half the stuffing fell out!! AGHGH!
posted by cavalier at 1:11 PM on November 26, 2009

REMINDER TO EVERYONE NOT IN MY TIME ZONE:

References to "morning" or "night" or "lunch" may not in fact be congruent with people in other time zones. So please remember when you post to include long, discursive, explanations and acknowledgments of our time differences in your posts.

Also, please not that I have a chip on my shoulder.
posted by LarryC at 1:15 PM on November 26, 2009 [16 favorites]

References to the material world may not be congruent with Mefites on other planes of existance.
posted by The Whelk at 1:18 PM on November 26, 2009

As to the American Thanksgiving being on Thursday, it seems that its always been designated to being on a Thursday, going back to the 1700s and various proclamations, though I can't find a particular reason as to why that particular day is chosen.

Given that the holiday had much stronger religious overtones back then, I'm guessing that Thursday was chosen because of Maudy Thursday, the day of the Last Supper, and/or Ascension Thursday. From a practical viewpoint, Thursday makes sense so that people have several days to prepare for it after the previous Sunday, the day of rest since they couldn't run out to the supermarket the night before.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:18 PM on November 26, 2009

I think you mean Moddy Thursday.
posted by fish tick at 1:21 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

Thanksgiving is the one day a year you get to admit to your incredibly dysfunctional family that sometimes, gee, you are secretly thankful for them. So, er, thanks, Metafilter.

Oh, but if you're not American and not celebrating Thanksgiving, I didn't mean to offend you, so, forget it you aren't part of my thanks.
posted by Lutoslawski at 1:23 PM on November 26, 2009

Oh I'm not American and I think that Thanksgiving is awesome. Christmas without the passive aggression manifested via gifts.
posted by gaspode at 1:26 PM on November 26, 2009 [5 favorites]

Happy Thanksgiving one and all!

My own (American) Thanksgiving - which I am celebrating in Canada by watching football and eating - has been great, albeit slightly marred by that Obama commercial they played at halftime of the Lions game. Catching a football in super slo-mo on the White House Lawn? Laying it on a biiiiiiit thick, I'd say. The way the ad is shot and edited also makes it look like Obama is intercepting a pass thrown to a child (by Drew Bees), which makes it even worse.
posted by The Card Cheat at 1:28 PM on November 26, 2009

Lots of USAians have to work tomorrow. I mean, I don't but only because I work a flex schedule.

I may go to Target at 4AM, just to say I did. Like Burning Man. (Which also sounds both horrible and oddly compelling to me.)
posted by JoanArkham at 1:33 PM on November 26, 2009 [2 favorites]

Mary Walsh is my hero.

She not my new hero, only because she's already been my hero for a few years now. Specifically, she's been my warrior princess hero. I'm only sorry that she didn't go to meet Palin with her breastplate on. I suppose automatic weapons are A OK to bring to political events in the US but not broadswords. Your loss America.

In other news: Happy turkey day!
posted by bonehead at 1:33 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

So is this a good place to post this, then?
posted by dilettante at 1:50 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

Today I give thanks for internet celebrities who are able to get over themselves.
posted by chrismear at 1:50 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

I really, really really doubt that there is anyone on Metafilter who does not know of American thanksgiving.
posted by amro at 1:53 PM on November 26, 2009

Peanut butter: not much to say here but my spouse does love almond butter instead.

Jelly sandwiches: really? Cause I can't think of another ingredient with so many possible varieties that necessarily = boredom.

Did you just separate the PB from the &J sandwich? You're killing me here. The concept of a J sandwich is awful to consider.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 2:00 PM on November 26, 2009

Trust Americans to take a day off to eat.
posted by turgid dahlia at 2:01 PM on November 26, 2009 [3 favorites]

any references to “Thanksgiving” will be meaningless

Um, I'm not American and I'm pretty strongly against too much USA-centric stuff here and elsewhere. but I also know what Thanksgiving is. It's not meaningless. Most of us out here in the rest of the world are actually pretty well educated and aware of the customs of other countries. So yeah, if the Americans on the site want to talk about their holiday then they're entirely welcome. Just like I'm going to enjoy posts about Anzac Day and other such things.
posted by shelleycat at 2:04 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

Did you just separate the PB from the &J sandwich? You're killing me here. The concept of a J sandwich is awful to consider.

I did not separate the PB from the J. They were already separated in the post I was responding to. But neither has to be boring.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 2:05 PM on November 26, 2009

I disagree. Every country should celebrate Thanksgiving, because we saved your lives so many times now. I mean, we saved everyone in WW2 (Including Germany and Japan, FROM THEMSELVES), and Ronald Reagan single-handedly destroyed the Berlin Wall and the USSR on the same day! If anything, it's a crime Americans have to pay for their own turkeys. Freedom isn't free, so I think it'd be nice if other nations could send some cash or some poultry our way each year, whichever they prefer. If they don't want to, it's their decision. Quite frankly, it'd be nice to let up on the foreign aid, as we need to fight Socialism at home at the moment.

HAMBURGER NEOCON RELATIVE BANTER POST FIFTH BEER
posted by mccarty.tim at 2:06 PM on November 26, 2009 [14 favorites]

Okay, it's not even Thursday here anymore. It's now Friday. Can someone please explain to me why these "Americans" are having this "Thanksgiving" (sp?) on "Friday?"

"Thanks."
posted by taz at 2:06 PM on November 26, 2009 [3 favorites]

If anything, it's a crime Americans have to pay for their own turkeys.

I'll be dropping them shortly from a helicopter near you. They can fly, you know.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 2:07 PM on November 26, 2009 [10 favorites]

Sounds like joeclark needs a bit of turkey and stuffing.

Seriously, just say bah humbug and go back to sleep. It'll be over soon. Or, you know, avoid threads talking about Thanksgiving, which happen to be quite active and interesting, or would be, if any of the folks gorging themselves could pull themselves away from the gravy boat.

Just a thought, have you noticed how much the site has slowed down? Usually upwards of about 60 questions, maybe 15-20 FPPs? That's because a lot of people are having turkey. Relax just a little. You've got a whole month to get angry about Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa and/or Solstice posts, depending on where you sit.
posted by Ghidorah at 2:11 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

I am offended that joeclark has neglected to come in and backup his original statement.
posted by sunshinesky at 2:18 PM on November 26, 2009

Solon and Thanks: "The concept of a J sandwich is awful to consider"

My three-year-old daughter is attempting to live off them (although today, in recognition of Thanksgiving, she's making them with squash biscuits).
posted by The corpse in the library at 2:21 PM on November 26, 2009

Thanksgiving is the only time of year when I feel motivated enough to make pie. So, to hell with all you citizens-of-other-countries-who-don't-have-Thanksgiving. I have pie!

I'm kidding. I love you all.

I'm not kidding about the pie, though. Yay! I have pie!
posted by amyms at 2:21 PM on November 26, 2009

amyms, you need to learn some easier pie recipes. I have one that takes so little effort I could probably do it with my eyes closed within 10 minutes (plus baking time)
posted by sunshinesky at 2:24 PM on November 26, 2009

What do Canadian hip-hop, Canadian football and Canadian Thanksgiving have in common?

They all sometimes involve Snow?

Oh snap!

Seconding the irrestible force of awesomeness that is Marg, Princess Warrior!

An unforgettable WTF moment with Stephen Harper. Currently our Prime Minister.
posted by jokeefe at 2:34 PM on November 26, 2009

I most certainly did not separate the PB from the &J. I'll thank you to retract that scurrilous remark at once!

Now where did I leave those dueling pistols....
posted by nebulawindphone at 2:35 PM on November 26, 2009

If anything, it's a crime Americans have to pay for their own turkeys.

Didn't the indians pay for the turkeys?
posted by UbuRoivas at 2:35 PM on November 26, 2009 [2 favorites]

Lighten up, joeclark. We can gloat on Boxing Day when our American friends have to work while we enjoy a day off to eat turkey sandwiches and line up at Best Buy/Future Shop/etc. to "save a lot of money spending money we don't got" (ref).

In the mean time, Happy Thanksgiving to all those celebrating today.
posted by angiep at 2:38 PM on November 26, 2009

Squash. Biscuits.

Squash biscuits.

"Squash biscuits".

Saying that aloud sent a sliver of ice sliding down my spine.

Is a squash biscuit anything like zucchini bread? Because zucchini bread sounds awful, but then you eat some and realize it's CAKE disguised as BREAD. And where before you were all, yuck zucchini bread, now you're all, yay cake-type thing.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 2:38 PM on November 26, 2009 [9 favorites]

The only problem with Thanksgiving as a pastry holiday is that although it is a great time for pies, it's at a time when you have to go with what's in season for fall or use nasty, out of season fruit that comes from foreign countries, which is bad for the environment and a real insult to the Pilgrims who couldn't go to Whole Foods and get Chilean strawberries any time they so desired.

What we need is a good summer holiday that has a strong pie emphasis. Not Fourth of July, as it's not American unless it's apple pie or some Jello abomination with panna cotta, faux blueberry, and faux cherry stripes. Those are both available year round. Easter is religious, so it's not universal, and the only proper dessert, in my opinion, is a coconut pie shaped like a bunny. (It goes great with the candy, especially if you sprinkle jelly beans over it.)

Perhaps we could just embrace some "Spring Festival." Sure, it sounds pagan, but what's a celebration without an Evangelical freak out? Better yet, we say that we're hiding the first fruits of the season inside pastry so that evil spirits won't find them. This will weaken them, so that we can be free to comune with nature without fear of ghosts.
posted by mccarty.tim at 2:38 PM on November 26, 2009 [2 favorites]

In fairness, Australia and New Zealand get a day off for their war wounded. Thank you, Great Britain!
posted by turgid dahlia at 2:39 PM on November 26, 2009

That's how provincial Baltimore was, and probably still is.

Whither the Orioles? I'm never been within five hundred miles of Baltimore and currently find myself ten times that distance away in a Turkey + pie free zone but I still remember those glory days.

During this period, the Orioles played baseball the Oriole Way, an organizational ethic best described by longtime farm hand and coach Cal Ripken, Sr.'s phrase "perfect practice makes perfect!" The Oriole Way was a belief that hard work, professionalism, and a strong understanding of fundamentals were the keys to success at the major league level. It was based on the belief that if every coach, at every level, taught the game the same way, the organization could produce "replacement parts" that could be substituted seamlessly into the big league club with little or no adjustment.
posted by philip-random at 2:42 PM on November 26, 2009

> American MeFites who post about “Thanksgiving” are actually posting about American
> Thanksgiving.

American Thanksgiving? Where's that at? If I posted about Thanksgiving, or the Cambrian Explosion, or the Trifid Nebula, or the universal constant e, or Enid Blyton, I would actually be posting about jfuller's Thanksgiving, jfuller's Cambrian Explosion, jfuller's Trifid Nebula, jfuller's universal constant e, or jfuller's Enid Blyton.

> REMINDER TO EVERYONE NOT IN MY TIME ZONE:
>
> References to "morning" or "night" or "lunch" may not in fact be congruent with people in
> other time zones. So please remember when you post to include long, discursive,
> explanations and acknowledgments of our time differences in your posts.

Plus, insensitive references to AM and PM might remind some people uncomfortably of AD and BC, and via that train of thought to all the other lolxtian stuff and give them indigestion, and this is not the day to do that. (We need a secular alternative to AC and DC too for the same reason.)

Happy Thanksgiving wishes to anyone who wants them or isn't actively all ew about them. For the rest I'll focus on feeling the same way I feel about my fuzzy huggy bunny on the sofa there--not thankful, exactly, just unobtrusively pleased that you're there and you're you.
posted by jfuller at 2:42 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

You know what I tell people in AskMe sometimes? You can't change other people's behaviour. You can only change your own, and you can manage your reaction to other people. It seems to me that you could have posted this in AskMe.

Dear AskMe
Sometimes I get frustrated when my favourite intertube site is filled with references to something that I'm not interested in. I feel left out and undervalued. Sometimes it even seems that the members of that site are doing it as a deliberate exclusionary tactic toward other members who do not share their beliefs or ethnicity. What should I do?

Unfortunately, one of the first responses would probably be to suggest you serve a Thanksgiving meal to a homeless person so as to appreciate the gifts you already enjoy.

Don't fret it. It's no biggie.

/not American: southern hemispherian with summertime Christmas
posted by b33j at 2:43 PM on November 26, 2009 [3 favorites]

Oh and, happy day, Americanos.

In spite of all there is to HATE about your vastly over-rated nation ... you still inspire us all.
posted by philip-random at 2:48 PM on November 26, 2009

Funny thing is, a tikka is also a forehead mark, like a bindi, and in Australia we tend to use that latter name for the soliva sessilis, which is a type of burr, and another type of super-burr is the caltrop plant, which we call the goatshead, and so when you say “turkey tikka” I’m immediately thinking of animals and bindis, which means I’m thinking about goatsheads, and I’ve stepped on those before and they hurt loads, so I guess what I’m saying is I hope you choke on your sugar-battered yams, you bastards, because there’s nothing anyone can do or make or say or think that I won’t figure out a way to construe in such a manner that I become annoyed by it. There was a fat woman blocking the escalator at Central Station this morning so I coughed on the back of her head.
posted by turgid dahlia at 2:49 PM on November 26, 2009 [4 favorites]

Hmm. On review, you did not in fact separate the PB from the J. However, my point stands. Neither ingredient needs to be the expected, comfort food equivalent.

(though I'm not really sold on almond butter. give me crunchy peanut anyday)
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 2:49 PM on November 26, 2009

When does Joe Clark get visited by the ghosts of Thanksgiving Past, Present and Future?

Also, this thread makes me want to eat stuffing so badly.
posted by chunking express at 2:51 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

How on earth do you make a pie crust shaped like a bunny?
posted by nebulawindphone at 2:58 PM on November 26, 2009

Reminder to Americans: Not all MeFites live in your country

i've taken the liberty of doing a survey of canadians and found that 80% of canadians have no real objection to american thanksgiving

80% of canadians are hungry polar bears, but i insist that has nothing to do with the results of my survey
posted by pyramid termite at 3:00 PM on November 26, 2009 [2 favorites]

OH MY GOD THEY'RE TURKEYS
posted by scody at 3:00 PM on November 26, 2009 [3 favorites]

You people should be thanking me for all the comments I choose not to make.

For reals.
posted by mazola at 3:01 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

Also, this thread makes me want to eat stuffing so badly.
posted by chunking express

You coud use some, dude.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 3:06 PM on November 26, 2009

This is my first major holiday since the people who raised me both died and their home no longer exists. I'm thankful I still have some family out there, even though I didn't realize how much they meant to me until this year.

I know lots of you have also lost love ones in the past year, and it's been financially hard for everyone. But we're all okay, at least for now, right?

I'm also thankful to have some Cherokee in me, because the Native Americans were here first, and I'll never forget that part of my heritage.

So basically I'm sitting here with half a homemade cake. Alone. Wish you guys were all here with me, at least, those who aren't allergic to gluten. Cause you're family too! HUGS.
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 3:10 PM on November 26, 2009 [8 favorites]

b33j: /not American: southern hemispherian with summertime Christmas

Good point. So in a month's time, when we're all with the Season's Holidays and stuff, think of the poor Aussies and Kiwis who have another six months to go before their Christmaseses.
posted by hangashore at 3:18 PM on November 26, 2009

Why the hell is Thanksgiving on a THURSDAY

I thought it was so that poor people couldn't vote. Or is that something else?
posted by pompomtom at 3:21 PM on November 26, 2009 [3 favorites]

Wish you guys were all here with me, at least, those who aren't allergic to gluten.

WHY DO YOU HATE DIABETICS?!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:23 PM on November 26, 2009

WHY DO YOU HATE DIABETICS?!

CAUSE ELRON HUBBARD WAS A TOTAL HACK!!1!
posted by hangashore at 3:26 PM on November 26, 2009

I would enjoy hearing about US Thanksgiving and all the lovely things our USA members are doing for it.

Some of the best parts of Mefi are when people introduce us to something that we are unfamiliar with. Last year, some American friends taught me how to cook sweet potato properly- that was worth something!
posted by niccolo at 3:27 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

and I could use a spelcheck.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 3:29 PM on November 26, 2009

I heard Obama is going to make Thanksgiving into Apologygiving, the holiday where you go around apologizing for stuff.

Sorry.
posted by qvantamon at 3:31 PM on November 26, 2009 [2 favorites]

References to the material world may not be congruent with Mefites on other planes of existance.

Everything is crystal clear from out here, so no need to do anything special to accommodate me.
posted by Meatbomb at 3:34 PM on November 26, 2009

Brandon, I think diabetics are sweet!
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 3:34 PM on November 26, 2009

CAUSE ELRON HUBBARD WAS A TOTAL HACK!!1!

He's technically only half hack, but chose to live a hacky life.
posted by CKmtl at 3:54 PM on November 26, 2009 [2 favorites]

to be sung in over-the-top, manic rockabilly style à la Jerry lee Lewis:

Get off the internet and eat some PIE!
You crabby people make we want ta DIE!
Hey what's your prob?
Don't be a nob!
Goodness gracious go eat some PIE!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:56 PM on November 26, 2009

For those who appreciate a lunar holiday, happy Eid and Allaahu akbar. To my colleague Ahsan (who doesn't read MeFI but so what), I hope your Haj is going well.
posted by TedW at 3:56 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

"As God is my witness, I thought this MetaTalk post could fly" - Joe 'the Big Guy' Clark

I'm actually avoiding all holidays until New Years; I just want to celebrate when 2009 is over. But today is the first day in over 2 weeks that I have felt better physically than the day before (still frustratingly undiagnosed but H1N1 flu is ruled out) and I am thankful for that. With no designated caregiver, I celebrated alone with some totally non-Thanksgiving-associated microwaved comfort food that was wonderful because, for the first time in a week, it did not go straight through me. It's sunny and the temperature here is in the temperate 65-75 Fahrenheit range, which I'd like to thank the people neglecting the Global Warming problem for. And having missed the last deadline I faced, I have no more until midway into December, so I can relax, comfortably ignoring late notices.

I will repeat the "Ironic Thanks" set I played on MetaRadio today sometime before Monday Morning, California Time. Although you're not supposed to pre-announce any songs, you are allowed to repeat a <1>
Happy Thursday, America, and for the rest of the world, Happy Friday!
posted by oneswellfoop at 3:56 PM on November 26, 2009

BitterOldPunk: "Is a squash biscuit anything like zucchini bread?"

No. A squash biscuit is a wonderful, wonderful thing. A roll, but moister and more delicious and oh my god it's so good... but I can't go into details, as my mother-in-law is right here and it's a secret recipe available only to immediate family and anyone with Google at their fingertips.
posted by The corpse in the library at 4:00 PM on November 26, 2009

amyms, you need to learn some easier pie recipes...

But, sunshinesky, if my pie-making became easy and commonplace, Thanksgiving would lose all meaning!
posted by amyms at 4:04 PM on November 26, 2009

to be sung in over-the-top, falsetto style à la Bronski Beat:

Can you sell me PIE?
Can you sell me PIE?
Can you sell me PIE?
Can you sell me PIE?
posted by UbuRoivas at 4:10 PM on November 26, 2009 [4 favorites]

Solon and Thanks writes "The concept of a J sandwich is awful to consider."

Obviously you've never had sufficiently good homemade jam. I sometimes skip the bread part of the J sandwich.
posted by Mitheral at 4:14 PM on November 26, 2009

I don't know why but this post reminded me of this song. I have no idea why. Seriously, I can't figure out what one has to do with the other.
posted by ServSci at 4:18 PM on November 26, 2009

How on earth do you make a pie crust shaped like a bunny?

Read as: "How on earth do you make a pie crust shaped like tyranny?"

*ding*

Aw, my SLORC pie is ready!
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 4:34 PM on November 26, 2009

"You people should be thanking me for all the comments I choose not to make.

For reals.
posted by mazola"

I bet they would've been corny.
posted by mr_crash_davis mark II: Jazz Odyssey at 4:41 PM on November 26, 2009 [4 favorites]

Wahwuah
posted by Ironmouth at 4:45 PM on November 26, 2009

Trust Americans to take a day off to eat.
posted by turgid dahlia

Yep. I only wish I could be Australian and take six months off for a short holiday jaunt to Indonesia.
posted by HopperFan at 4:52 PM on November 26, 2009 [8 favorites]

SLORC is a really unappetizing noise. Even without the tyranny I would not make a pie out of that.
posted by nebulawindphone at 5:02 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

White meat for white America.
posted by pianomover at 5:06 PM on November 26, 2009

I will repeat the "Ironic Thanks" set I played on MetaRadio today sometime before Monday Morning, California Time. Although you're not supposed to pre-announce any songs, you are allowed to repeat a <1>
Happy Thursday, America, and for the rest of the world, Happy Friday!

An I am, RIGHT NOW doing the "Digestive Suite" Until 9ish EST
posted by The Whelk at 5:13 PM on November 26, 2009

Re: Appologygiving Joke:

Here's Obama pardoning a turkey.

I like how he keeps on joking about how he'd rather eat it. Clearly, as a Democrat, making a pardon is very awkward, as it's the trademark move of a soft-on-crime liberal, and so he tries to spread blame to his kids. He then goes on a rant about how a bunch of Republicans have also pardoned turkeys.

My party is so whipped.

(TURKEYBURGER)
posted by mccarty.tim at 5:17 PM on November 26, 2009

Obama family Thanksgiving menu.
posted by the littlest brussels sprout at 5:21 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

wow, there IS a blog for everything.
posted by The Whelk at 5:23 PM on November 26, 2009

Let his servings be few; let another take his portion

Let his children be pie less, and his wife a cake eater.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:27 PM on November 26, 2009 [3 favorites]

SLORC is the sound you make when you chow down on a pie made of newborn kittens.

The hard 'C' is the bones crunching.
posted by UbuRoivas at 5:30 PM on November 26, 2009

/burns joeclark in a wickerman to ensure the return of spring.
posted by Artw at 5:37 PM on November 26, 2009 [3 favorites]

The Corn Cat sits atop the stalks and is hungry.
posted by The Whelk at 5:45 PM on November 26, 2009

American I American think American there's American nothing American wrong American with American having American Americans American pre-pending American "American" American to American everything.
posted by DU at 5:48 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

Hey, mccarty.tim, what kind of pie did you end up making?
posted by piratebowling at 5:59 PM on November 26, 2009

Yep. I only wish I could be Australian and take six months off for a short holiday jaunt to Indonesia.

I would actually never go to Indonesia. In fact, fellow Australians who do go to Indonesia tax my patience severely. It's like they're the first person to ever do it. "I'm going on a little holiday." "Oh yes, where? Somewhere exciting?" "Bali." "Fuck you." It isn't even a trip overseas, there are fucking shuttle buses leaving from Cairns every fifteen minutes. You can still use Australian money when you get there. It's like going to Chinatown in Fortitude Valley except Chinatown has the added bonus of you don't get yourself fucking exploded to pieces. Christ I hate people who visit Indonesia, you can get perfectly servicable cheap women here. Next you'll be telling me you're going to buy an old Kingswood and drive the Top End from Port Douglas to Broome. I hope fucking Mick Taylor gets you.
posted by turgid dahlia at 5:59 PM on November 26, 2009 [2 favorites]

What we need is a good summer holiday that has a strong pie emphasis.

Oh my goodness! Did you forget to celebrate Peach Pie Tuesday last summer? Third Tuesday in July. Don't forget next time!

I'm in the US. I have to work later. All the people here I know well enough to consider crashing their holiday are out of town. I just ate an omelet. I want to go home.
posted by little e

Oh little e, I am so sorry. I wish I could you and all the other solo Thanksgivingers over and cook a giant feast for you. I can make a turkey that is so flavorful, so moist it will astonish you and make you doubt that you are eating turkey. I can make a gravy that will have you humming little happy tunes. I can make pies that will make you think that they must surely eat nothing but pie in heaven. I can make a Parker House roll, so light, so buttery that tears will roll down your cheeks as you realize how many years you have wasted in not eating my Parker House Rolls.

But sadly my husband worked last night and he will work tonight and all of our loved ones are too far away, so we ate tacos together for lunch. Then I lay down with him and we snuggled and we counted our blessings. And amid all the other things I have to be grateful for, I am grateful that personal computers were affordable in my lifetime, and that someone invented the internet, and that Matt came up with the idea of MetaFilter. And I am thankful-- for reals!-- to all of you who contribute.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 6:01 PM on November 26, 2009 [10 favorites]

I really, really really doubt that there is anyone on Metafilter who does not know of American thanksgiving.

Well, they do now.
posted by Shohn at 6:06 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

Get off the internet and eat some PIE!
You crabby people make we want ta DIE!

Heh.
posted by Crabby Appleton at 6:17 PM on November 26, 2009

Listen, I have to spend the next fucking month putting up with people the whole planet over shoving their Christmas and Hanukkah and Kwanzaa and Eid al-Adha and solstice blah-de-blah down my throat at every opportunity.

The least you can do is stifle for one stinkin' minute and let me have another helping of corn casserole to fortify myself for the onslaught.
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:19 PM on November 26, 2009 [2 favorites]

Indonesia is essentially Thailand, but with inedible food and crap beaches.
posted by UbuRoivas at 6:22 PM on November 26, 2009

Yeah, I specifically avoided Kuta, and would've avoided Bali altogether if there were any ferries going straight from Java to Lombok, but alas, no.

Padang food was alright, I suppose. But in comparison with Malaysian food (especially Nyonya), or Singaporean, or Thai, or Filipino, Indonesian food really sucks arse.
posted by UbuRoivas at 6:46 PM on November 26, 2009

The real question is why does the last quarter of the year get to be so awesome. I mean right in a row: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas/whatever winter holiday. Also, New Years. Then there's almost nothing to look forward to after that except the 4th of July in the far distant summer. If the year were a boat it would capsize because of all the awesome piled up on one side.

These are very ancient traditions in northern climes. Fruits and vegetables only last so long before they spoil, and if you're going to slaughter an animal, you better do it before the snows set in and you begin keeping a close eye on what grain you have left for your family and livestock, because it's got to make it through the winter. So, you do your celebrating at the end of harvest, when you know how much you have to make it through the dead of winter and the famine of spring, and before the perishable harvest goes to rot.

Holidays are ritual and tradition, and before we had education and writing, ritual and tradition is what got you and yours through the year alive and thriving.
posted by Slap*Happy at 6:51 PM on November 26, 2009 [4 favorites]

Reminder to Americans: Not all MeFites live in your country, hence any references to “Thanksgiving” will be meaningless (or, for Canadians, will have arrived a month late).

Reminder to Joe Clark - get a life.
posted by caddis at 6:53 PM on November 26, 2009

I think we're missing the most important part. Canadian Thanksgiving is a week early, right? We are missing a huge opportunity for international turkey arbitrage.
posted by Kadin2048 at 6:54 PM on November 26, 2009

T'giving on Thursday = 4 day holiday

Thursday just seems really odd. It's in the middle of the fricken week!
Yeah, but none of them are going in to work on Friday.

A hell of a lot more people have to go back to work on the Friday after Thanksgiving than back in the old days before institutionalized workplace oppression.

That's why "Black Friday" really is no longer the shopping horror it used to be. It's the NEXT day - Saturday- that's the nightmare day now.
posted by Zambrano at 6:58 PM on November 26, 2009

wow, Burhanistan is really pissed today.
posted by UbuRoivas at 7:05 PM on November 26, 2009

Padang food was alright, I suppose. But in comparison with Malaysian food (especially Nyonya), or Singaporean, or Thai, or Filipino, Indonesian food really sucks arse.

This is weirdly aggro.

It rather depends on the cook.
posted by desuetude at 7:07 PM on November 26, 2009

Buy Nothing Day is tomorrow (and the next day), and it's an international holiday!
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 7:18 PM on November 26, 2009 [3 favorites]

That's super great and everything but people who are not in America are sitting at their desks eating yogurt with a fork. And working 10-hour days. And running to the doctor as soon as they get out of work and then going home to do two loads of laundry and bathe the dog. So, again, super extra great that you want me to fill my day with food and hanging out with people I love but that's not happening.

You know, there are a lot of holidays that are celebrated in this world by many of you that I don't celebrate, and there are days off that you get that I don't get, and in addition, there are many other wonderful things about your cultures, systems, and governments. And I hope you enjoy them, and I know that I enjoy knowing a bit more about them, and I could not for the life of me imagine asking those of you who observe them not to post, talk about, or otherwise celebrate the existence of those holidays and customs.

Thanksgiving is pretty special to US Americans because it's our only national shared holiday that is neither religious nor connected to the activities of war. There's nothing wrong with people enjoying it.

As for Thursday: Until Sarah Josepha Hale, Thanksgiving wasn't reliably celebrated on any specific recurring day. If we go back to the early Colonial era, municipal, parish, or state leaders declared Days of Thanksgiving as they saw fit, and often the announcement wasn't made until a few weeks before. Those were generally religious in nature, not about feasting. Thanksgivings could be declared whenever and for whatever reason, and didn't require a feast any more special than a typical important Sunday church service which a lot of people might attend, and end up eating at one another's homes.

The Thanksgiving we know is a combination of two separate traditions: these holy days of Thanksgiving, which were supposed to be spent in prayer at church, and harvest feasts which occurred in fall. independently of the religious calendar. In the middle Colonial era, these two traditions started to blur together. Prior to that, The harvest feasts, formerly occurring at varying times informally and whenever the main fall harvest ended, started to become more and more a defining practice that demonstrated Americanness and was thus embraced by polictical leaders. These two streams converged in the early Republic, when declaring "days of Thanksgiving" meant to also be harvest feasts became pretty common. In New England they often fell on Saturdays.

I think one of the main arguments in favor of codifying Thursdays is that it really didn't interfere with the liturgical calendar, not even when church services were held on Wednesdays as well as Sundays, as was common.

It wasn't actually viewed as a religious holiday, and its origins really don't reach back to the Pilgrims - there's no direct tie to the many feasts the Plymouth colony ate, and there is no unbroken tradition there to point to. The Thanksgivings we know have their roots in the 1700s and early 1800s.
posted by Miko at 7:18 PM on November 26, 2009 [26 favorites]

Canadian Thanksgiving is a week early, right?

Right, if an American (Imperial) week is roughly 6 Canadian (Metric) weeks.
posted by CKmtl at 7:29 PM on November 26, 2009 [8 favorites]

Buy Nothing Day's tomorrow? See, that's a little annoying, as Saturday is the only time I really have to do my shopping.
posted by turgid dahlia at 7:33 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

>
I ended up making a chocolate pecan pie, as a few people recommended it, and it was easy to get the ingredients at short notice. It turned out pretty good.

I really wanted to try persimmon pie, but I'm not very familiar with persimmons, and I was afraid I'd end up buying underripe fruit or making it wrong. I'm thinking I'll try making it at home for my family in a week or so to see what it's like.
posted by mccarty.tim at 7:34 PM on November 26, 2009

summertime Christmas

The best kind.
posted by shelleycat at 7:36 PM on November 26, 2009

As a retail employee, I'm appaled by the lack of Black Friday sympathy.
posted by jonmc at 7:36 PM on November 26, 2009

Some of us don't recognize "thursday". I am at a loss to explain why Wednesday is 48 hours long, but it has always been that way, and always will.

I respect your bizarre, unusual & pointless ritual; but as a loyal son of Turkmenbashi I call Thursday by its just & proper name, Sogapgün.
posted by scalefree at 7:38 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

PS: Here's the recipe. It's originally from America's Test Kitchen's Best Recipe, but this recipe site has the exact same thing without proper attribution.

The crust I used was Mark Bittman's all butter recipe. I don't have a large enough food processor, so I just use a pastry cutter.
posted by mccarty.tim at 7:38 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

Christ I hate people who visit Indonesia, you can get perfectly servicable cheap women here.

Well, yeah, it's no New Zealand.

Now, that said, do the Yanks not get the day off? It's hardly a decent indigene-slaughter celebration if you don't get the day off, is it?
posted by pompomtom at 7:40 PM on November 26, 2009

do the Yanks not get the day off?

People with office jobs who get the basic 10 holidays usually do, yes. But there are a lot of people whose jobs require them to work on Thanksgiving, and many many more whose jobs require them to work the day after. Particularly in retail.
posted by Miko at 7:43 PM on November 26, 2009

>
/sympathizes

I'm planning on stopping by the hardware store to pick up a steam cleaner (probably the Bissel Little Green, since an AskMe said it was good) to clean up some stains I accidentally put on the stairs. What are the chances a place like Lowes or Home Depot will be swamped? They seem specialized enough that your typical Black Friday-er wouldn't make it their first stop, but then again, they do definitely run big Black Friday ads on TV, and I can see people going there to get Christmas lights.

Sure, I could just order one, or wait until midweek when things will presumably die down, but why ruin a good chance to join a mob?
posted by mccarty.tim at 7:46 PM on November 26, 2009

Crappy Canadian Thanksgiving (w/Ellen Page & Justin Long).
posted by ericb at 7:56 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

Blame Canada.
posted by ericb at 7:59 PM on November 26, 2009

From jessamyn's Buy Nothing Day link:

Wildcat General Strike: A strategy used for the 2009 Buy Nothing Day where participants not only do not buy anything for twenty-four hours but also keep their lights, televisions, computers and other non-essential appliances turned off, their cars parked, and their phones turned off or unplugged from sunrise to sunset.

But, but, but... My computer is an essential appliance! *shudder*
posted by amyms at 8:03 PM on November 26, 2009 [2 favorites]

hat's super great and everything but people who are not in America are sitting at their desks eating yogurt with a fork. And working 10-hour days. And running to the doctor as soon as they get out of work

It's odd that you're complaining about working long days and going to the doctor to people in the country that has the shortest vacation time in the first world and is fighting tooth and nail for just the tiniest bit of health care reform.

An acknowledgement that the readers of your post might not live in a country that celebrates Thanksgiving, or might live in Canada where it’s celebrated in October, would show greater understanding of the global reach of this site.

This comment is for all the sober people out there!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:05 PM on November 26, 2009 [7 favorites]

Buy Nothing Day is tomorrow (and the next day), and it's an international holiday!

I got confused about the date this year, which resulted in the following exchange yesterday:

X: "Hey, wasn't today Buy Nothing Day?"

Me: "Hope so, because just by chance I happened to buy nothing, so I got through the day without noticing or needing to even think about it..."

"What are you talking about? We bought a few dozen bottles of beer!"

"BEER IS NOT NOTHING!!!"
posted by UbuRoivas at 8:12 PM on November 26, 2009 [4 favorites]

wait. that didn't even make sense. i guess we'd had a few beers by then.
posted by UbuRoivas at 8:16 PM on November 26, 2009 [4 favorites]

we’re calling for a Wildcat General Strike

Irony or obliviousness? It's so hard to tell with Adbusters.
posted by enn at 8:23 PM on November 26, 2009 [3 favorites]

This preview of how my Buy Nothing Day post is going to go is not encouraging.
posted by box at 8:27 PM on November 26, 2009

POST NOTHING DAY
posted by turgid dahlia at 8:31 PM on November 26, 2009 [2 favorites]

Buy Nothing Day posts have their very own section in the MeFi graveyard, right next to the Critical Mass posts.
posted by UbuRoivas at 8:31 PM on November 26, 2009 [2 favorites]

Americans are very loud.
posted by sleslie at 8:31 PM on November 26, 2009

(if your beef is with my inability to correctly punctuate "non-Americans'," that is valid.)
posted by oinopaponton at 8:46 PM on November 26, 2009

I just spent my Thanksgiving holding my seven-year-old's hair while she barfed, and icing my torn rotator cuff. Also, I celebrated New Years back in September with some apples and honey.

Also, genocidal history and a pack of Hallmark-sponsored lies; US cultural hegemony poisoning the rich, indigenous traditions of the world; mass slaughter of factory-farmed, antibiotic and growth hormone stuffed, over-bred poultry; and of course, dysfunctional, alcohol-fueled, state-sponsored family-of-origin misery.

But still, I freaking love pumpkin pie.
posted by serazin at 8:47 PM on November 26, 2009 [4 favorites]

Also, I've been mainlining The Wire episodes --two seasons in 56 hours -- and it has warped me in ways that I probably won't recover from for some time to come. Now time for season three!

Nah, you're optimally warped after the first two if you ask me. Things go kind of sideways from there. When you make it to the end of the glorious clusterfuck that is season five and discover that you're warped all wrong, don't say I didn't warn you.
posted by nebulawindphone at 8:54 PM on November 26, 2009

It's Friday in Korea, and that means beer. And beer is delicious. For beer, I give thanks.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 8:57 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

This comment is for all the sober people out there!

That's me. But it's Friday, is sunny, I just got home from work, there's a bottle of red wine on the bench (I have no idea why), so it's not going to last for long.
posted by shelleycat at 8:59 PM on November 26, 2009

Ug. So my boyfriend bought the bottle of wine the shelf stocking guy in the supermarket told him too despite that I kept trying to make the guy go away (the guy jumped into our conversation uninvited) and I answered no to his 'are you looking for ..' questions (because we weren't). And of course the wine is horrible. Next time I'll tell the guy to go away and tell my boyfriend not to be bullied into buying something and maybe then I can get a little unsober on a Friday evening. But not this evening.
posted by shelleycat at 9:39 PM on November 26, 2009

They hate us for our freedoms.
posted by The Deej at 9:46 PM on November 26, 2009

Also, I've been mainlining The Wire episodes --two seasons in 56 hours -- and it has warped me in ways that I probably won't recover from for some time to come. Now time for season three!
Then you might enjoy this plate of Marxist beans to follow your turkey and pie: baltimore as world and representation: cognitive mapping and capitalism in the wire.
Considered making a FPP of it but I already did a post of abstruse cultural studies-type essays on the Wire plus this was first published a few months back.
posted by Abiezer at 9:49 PM on November 26, 2009 [8 favorites]

...and maybe then I can get a little unsober on a Friday evening...

Man you are living on the edge like some kind of wild person.

They hate us for our freedoms.

Yeah well you hate Commonwealthians for our fiefdoms!
posted by turgid dahlia at 9:50 PM on November 26, 2009

Buy Nothing Day posts have their very own section in the MeFi graveyard, right next to the Critical Mass posts.

Yup, whatever the great AMERICAN-solution-to-all-the-world-s-problems may be, it shall include shopping and automobiles. Probably means NASCAR is involved.

How about that Jimmie Johnson!
posted by philip-random at 9:50 PM on November 26, 2009

Like our new one in February: Family day.

It's Riel Day here, wherein we celebrate the mentally ill father of our province who led two rebellions against the federal government, talked to God a lot, was elected to parliament three times but never took his seat, and was tried and hung for treason (As Sir John A. MacDonald famously said, "He shall hang though every dog in Quebec bark in his favour.")

Good times.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:18 PM on November 26, 2009 [3 favorites]

These are very ancient traditions in northern climes. Fruits and vegetables only last so long before they spoil, and if you're going to slaughter an animal, you better do it before the snows set in and you begin keeping a close eye on what grain you have left for your family and livestock, because it's got to make it through the winter. So, you do your celebrating at the end of harvest, when you know how much you have to make it through the dead of winter and the famine of spring, and before the perishable harvest goes to rot.

It's like a bank account, so said anthropoligst friend. You put all this STUFF into your account around the year so you don't DIE when you can't make more stuff, and in the fall and winter, you make these big withdrawals from that account (cause they don't last forever, etc etc). Harvest Festivals, Mid Windal Festivals, it all ends in Carnival, the last big withdrawal and the start of new STUFF you can put into the account.
posted by The Whelk at 10:19 PM on November 26, 2009 [4 favorites]

Mid-Winter. Also, celebrating when it's not so fucking dark anymore? Obvious.
posted by The Whelk at 10:20 PM on November 26, 2009

Oh, nobody told you about American Thanksgiving? It's where American people gather and eat delicious American foods,, often homemade, and (most people) don't have to go to their American jobs, and also eat American pie. We also watch American Football sometimes, which is the sport where American men in pads run around with a funny-shaped American ball and tackle each other, like European rugby almost.

Please feel free to MeMail me if you have any other questions about American Thanksgiving.

Also, screw pumpkin, all true Americans know that pecan pie is where it's at. Pecan pie is also a known cure in American medicine for having a stick up your ass.
posted by ishotjr at 10:25 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

i would be pretty happy if every mefite in every country included us in all of their holidays. It would make this place a bit more festive :)
posted by empath at 10:25 PM on November 26, 2009 [2 favorites]

I think also if you're getting so thrown off by the use of the word Thanksgiving because you forgot that yours happened a month ago, you may have some kind of cognitive impairment that should be checked out. Maybe someone punched you too hard in the head last Boxing Day.
posted by ishotjr at 10:29 PM on November 26, 2009

Well, I'm not getting any sex tonight from my girlfriend, because I called her out on being a racist. My Thanksgiving was good, otherwise.
posted by Eleutherios at 10:30 PM on November 26, 2009 [8 favorites]

Oh Riel! One of history's interesting crazy bastards. I learned about him, I'll admit, from Hark! A Vagrant, but it's so damn hard to get Canadians to tell you about all the cool stuff that happens in Canada. Canada, stop hiding your light under a damn bushel.
posted by Kattullus at 10:30 PM on November 26, 2009 [3 favorites]

Eleutherios: Well, I'm not getting any sex tonight from my girlfriend, because I called her out on being a racist.

Well, there's a great episode of Andy Richter Controls the Universe precisely about dating a flaming bigot called "Little Andy in Charge."
posted by Kattullus at 10:38 PM on November 26, 2009

Oh Riel!

It always gets back to Batoche.
posted by philip-random at 10:40 PM on November 26, 2009

it's so damn hard to get Canadians to tell you about all the cool stuff that happens in Canada. Canada, stop hiding your light under a damn bushel.

See, the average Canadian would be all, "Well, y'know, there's ton of cool stuff, but it's that damn 'Merican cultural hegemony an' shit, and we're certainly aren't the kind to toot our horns, like those damn 'Mericans, and hey, have I mentioned about those damn 'Mericans, Thanksgiving in Novemer, WTF, amirite?", but the truth is the average Canadian actually know sweet FA about their country and history.

Also, thanks for reminding me about Kate Beaton's Rielianna! My dear, sweet wife and I are making it legal this Riel Day, and I am so tempted to buy his and hers'.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:58 PM on November 26, 2009

Are you getting legalized specifically on Riel Day or is it just a coincidence? Either way is totally awesome.
posted by Kattullus at 11:03 PM on November 26, 2009

Acadian Driftwood
posted by philip-random at 11:09 PM on November 26, 2009

Are you getting legalized specifically on Riel Day or is it just a coincidence? Either way is totally awesome.

Thanks! It's just how the calendar worked out; Feb. 15 is the anniversary of our first date, and it's way easier to carry the date over than to have me remember a new one. Of course, that's Presidents' Day in the US, so hopefully joeclark will make a MeTa then, too.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:18 PM on November 26, 2009 [3 favorites]

Eleutherios said: Well, I'm not getting any sex tonight from my girlfriend, because I called her out on being a racist.

It would be cool if you updated your AskMe thread on that topic.
posted by amyms at 11:29 PM on November 26, 2009 [1 favorite]

Ok, I just did...
posted by Eleutherios at 11:55 PM on November 26, 2009

WTF is Boxing Day? Oh, it's what the Brits call St. Stephen's Day.

Hope you Americans all enjoyed your turkey and pie.
posted by Elmore at 12:18 AM on November 27, 2009

WTF is Boxing Day? Oh, it's what the Brits call St. Stephen's Day.

Er, no, boxing day is what the brits call boxing day.
posted by jzed at 1:32 AM on November 27, 2009

Oh, hang on, I see what you mean. The wrong end of the stick, I have it.
posted by jzed at 2:03 AM on November 27, 2009

We Brits understand American culture quite well from watching some of your films and things, which are often shown over here. So we understand that Thanksgiving is when you celebrate your Independence, and don't mind at all. Enjoy your high-fructose corn syrup!
posted by Phanx at 2:08 AM on November 27, 2009

I'm Dutch and I know what Thanksgiving is. In all probability, every other non-US participant on this site knows what Thanksgiving is, and if they don't there's always Google. 'A greater understanding of the global reach of this site' is a fine thing, but I really don't think a couple of mentions of Thanksgiving are going to alienate everyone outside the US.
posted by rjs at 2:40 AM on November 27, 2009 [2 favorites]

Thanksgiving is what happens in Canada; Yanksgiving is what the Americans do.

Sorry, eh.
posted by pick_the_flowers at 2:43 AM on November 27, 2009 [1 favorite]

Actual question: what is non-Americans's beef with Thanksgiving? It's come up a couple of times on MeFi this week. It's probably one of the most innocuous, nicest, most civilized holidays in practice worldwide; what's with the sneers and vindictiveness? Do you just hate Americans?
posted by oinopaponton

I'm not seeing that at all. At least here in Europe (or my wife's reaction at least) its like:

"Huh? A holiday centered on just family and friends getting together over a home-cooked meal? No gaudy gifts? No crass commercialism? That sounds pretty neat. You Americans surprise me sometimes..."
posted by vacapinta at 3:09 AM on November 27, 2009 [2 favorites]

Americans are very loud.

And fat and stupid, amirite?
posted by the littlest brussels sprout at 3:12 AM on November 27, 2009

You and I are victims of a love
That lost a lot in the translation
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 3:28 AM on November 27, 2009 [2 favorites]

All I can say about this thanksgiving of which you speak is that it sounds one million times more fun than the UK harvest festivals I remember as a child - the only event here of comparable meaning - where a schoolful of infants queued up to put an old tin of pineapple chunks in a basket in a church. (There wasn't even any alcohol involved, if you can believe it.) So good luck to you!
posted by thoughtless at 4:02 AM on November 27, 2009

Americans are very loud.

no, you're just very old
posted by pyramid termite at 4:19 AM on November 27, 2009

I also thankful for sarcasm.
posted by slimepuppy at 4:19 AM on November 27, 2009 [4 favorites]

No crass commercialism?

No, we save that for the day after Thanksgiving, when we celebrate the Pilgrims' discovery of doorbusters.
posted by the littlest brussels sprout at 4:41 AM on November 27, 2009 [9 favorites]

Canadian Thanksgiving is a week early, right?

Nope, it's at exactly the right time. It's the American one that's a few weeks late.
posted by FishBike at 6:28 AM on November 27, 2009

No, we save that for the day after Thanksgiving, when we celebrate the Pilgrims' discovery of doorbusters.

IDK if it's because I'm still drunk from yesterday but this just made me lol with giddy helplessness. Apparently I am vastly entertained by the image of a bunch of dour, black-broadclothed, buckle-shoed, white-stockinged Calvinists throwing some vicious elbows during a frenzied stampede of consumerism towards the last Tickle Me Elmo dolly.
posted by elizardbits at 6:43 AM on November 27, 2009 [2 favorites]

Actual question: what is non-Americans's beef with Thanksgiving? It's come up a couple of times on MeFi this week.

I'll bite. An edited transcript of Metafilter's ~~Thanksgiving~~ November 26th front page:

Happy Thanksgiving, MetaFilter (although for those of you not from the US these greetings are kind of superfluous)! If you have friends from different parts of the U.S., you might have wondered why they consider certain dishes to be an essential part of a Thanksgiving feast, when you've never even thought of them as remotely Thanksgiving-related. Now you can see what dishes were popular searches on allrecipes.com in various states thanks to a series of infographics in the New York Times.

Forty ~~Thanksgivings~~ years ago Alcatraz Island was occupied by a number of Native American activists as a protest. The occupation lasted until June of 1971 The best place to learn about it is PBS's website for Alcatraz Is Not an Island, Jim Fortier's documentary about the Alcatraz Occupation. Besides an overview of the events it has video interviews with the people involved. [RealPlayer required] Here are photographs of the occupation, mostly from newspapers. For a flavor of how the local media covered the events, here's the San Francisco Bay Area Television Archive's Occupation of Alcatraz Collection which has over 40 contemporary newsreports [MPEG4]

Something we have in the US called Black Friday is almost upon us and in less then a month it'll be Christmastime, and you're still wondering if you'll get your jetpack, hoverboard, or time machine? Well you're in luck, because you can get started with a new old DeLorean! It's the return of the DeLorean The DeLorean DMC-12 was the creation of John DeLorean:
John DeLorean never cared to fit the mold of a typical Detroit auto executive. He was a young, free-spirited maverick that revolutionized the auto industry as the major force behind America’s first muscle car– the Pontiac GTO.... As the young DeLorean’s star rose, he supposedly walked away from his $650,000 salary at GM and decided to go it on his own. John DeLorean never cared to fit the mold of a typical Detroit auto executive. He was a young, free-spirited maverick that revolutionized the auto industry as the major force behind America’s first muscle car– the Pontiac GTO.... As the young DeLorean’s star rose, he supposedly walked away from his $650,000 salary at GM and decided to go it on his own.

It's not the holiday. It's the casual assumption that everyone else in the world wants to hear about it. Bottom line though, MetaFilter is really a US site with some people from other places thrown in. It's to be expected really. I sometimes wonder what MeFI would be like without U.S. involvement for one day, and ironically, November 26th kind of approximates it - a lot less FPP's and comments, that's for sure.
posted by awfurby at 7:05 AM on November 27, 2009

And what's with all the English? I can't even remember the last time we had a FPP in Mandarin Chinese.
posted by The corpse in the library at 7:20 AM on November 27, 2009 [5 favorites]

MetaFilter: It's the casual assumption that everyone else in the world wants to hear about it.
posted by modernnomad at 7:29 AM on November 27, 2009 [6 favorites]

alvy ampersand there is another holiday to celebrate the 15 February:
Flag Day in Canada is observed on February 15 each year, commemorating the inauguration of the national flag of Canada by Governor General Georges Vanier on that date in 1965.

(And heart-felt congratulations.)

>but the truth is the average Canadian actually know sweet FA about their country and history.

and we miss an awesome opportunity to have a flag day. We celebrate the day of a historically significant event but call it Family Day here in Ontario (where I live).
posted by philfromhavelock at 7:34 AM on November 27, 2009

On Mayday, I was invited by my Finnish friends to join their picnic halfway around the world, and I wished them Hyvää Vappu. Yesterday, I inviited them to my Thanksgiving dinner, and they graciously wished me a Happy Thanksgiving.

We're much too far apart to celebrate our disparate holidays together and in person, but our warm wishes - at any time - transcend all limitations of distance, time, and nationality. A happy belated Thanksgiving to all!
posted by malocchio at 7:43 AM on November 27, 2009 [1 favorite]

Thanksgiving is what happens in Canada; Yanksgiving is what the Americans do.

No, Yanksgiving is what the masseuses do if you pay them an extra $50.

No, loud as in if you took a decibel reading of an American gathering and a Canadian one, there would be a statistically significant difference of around 3 dB based on my anecdotal evidence of having family on both sides of the border.

Well, if we're dueling anecdotes, I have family and inlaws on both sides of the border and I'd say that Canadian Thanksgiving was about 300 decibels louder than American and only slightly quieter than trying to eat Thanksgiving dinner in a jet engine that's exploding in the middle of an active volcano. Apparently we're related to different Canadians.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 7:48 AM on November 27, 2009 [2 favorites]

there would be a statistically significant difference of around 3 dB based on my anecdotal evidence of having family on both sides of the border.

Your family is not statistically significant.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 7:48 AM on November 27, 2009 [3 favorites]

I'd say that Canadian Thanksgiving was about 300 decibels louder than American and only slightly quieter than trying to eat Thanksgiving dinner in a jet engine that's exploding in the middle of an active volcano. Apparently we're related to different Canadians.

Oh, you're related to ANVIL too, eh?
posted by philip-random at 8:01 AM on November 27, 2009

"the casual assumption that everyone else in the world wants to hear about it"

No. We Americans just assume you furriners are not so petty and uptight as to cry about a third of a billion people celebrating their national holiday. Please accept our national apologies for the misunderstanding.
posted by majick at 8:03 AM on November 27, 2009 [2 favorites]

WORD. People need to not give a fuck so much.

Did you know Tamia is Canadian? Now you do.
posted by chunking express at 8:06 AM on November 27, 2009

We had pumpkin pie. It was fucking horrible.

See, the thing is, you're supposed to eat it. And stay away from the mashed potatoes, OK?
posted by Kirth Gerson at 8:08 AM on November 27, 2009 [2 favorites]

Have you heard the original version of On Wit Da Show? It's quite different than the version that got mad airplay on Much.

It was a cool and lonely
Offishall style that coerced her to smile
Chalk another to the file
Quest for breasts, my intent to impress the mistress
So cess broke the ice like Gretzky

posted by chunking express at 8:10 AM on November 27, 2009

Jeevin' (Life) by Kardinal is also worth a listen, with Jully Black singing the hook. Man that video is cheesy.
posted by chunking express at 8:14 AM on November 27, 2009

No, loud as in if you took a decibel reading of an American gathering and a Canadian one, there would be a statistically significant difference of around 3 dB based on my anecdotal evidence of having family on both sides of the border.

not only very old, but a real wet blanket at parties, too ...

"you are too very loud - look!" *waves db tester around* - "i've proved it with SCIENCE!!"
posted by pyramid termite at 8:15 AM on November 27, 2009

Buy Nothing day got started in Canada? Fuck that shit, I'm going shoppng.
posted by fixedgear at 8:18 AM on November 27, 2009

the casual assumption that everyone else in the world wants to hear about it"

No. We Americans just assume you furriners are not so petty and uptight as to cry about a third of a billion people celebrating their national holiday. Please accept our national apologies for the misunderstanding.
posted by majick

I just realized something. This whole thread is really about Canadian thanksgiving vs. American thanksgiving. The OP is Canadian.

Europeans and the rest of the world just got dragged into this somehow. But every single European posting in here has basically said "We're cool with it."
posted by vacapinta at 8:20 AM on November 27, 2009 [1 favorite]

I'm Canadian and I don't give a fuck one way or the other. This Joe Clark vs. American Thanksgiving. If you read his site—which is awesome—you'll see he likes to get his hate on.
posted by chunking express at 8:31 AM on November 27, 2009 [2 favorites]

Also, ham and cranberry sauce sandwiches are SO BALLER

That sounds hype.

Must learn to escape the clutch of temptation, and ignore my false ego.
posted by chunking express at 8:39 AM on November 27, 2009

This Joe Clark vs. American Thanksgiving

What the guy with the name almost sponsored by Tarantino said.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 8:41 AM on November 27, 2009

It's not just Canada and the US that have a "Thanksgiving" holiday. So does Grenada! Why, you ask? It's a holiday in honor of the US invasion during the early 1980's.

As for 'black friday', it's not the biggest shopping day and hasn't been for years. I don't know how much of that is related to the shift to people putting more things on credit cards -- the day after American Thanksgiving was the day when banks would release the funds in 'christmas club' accounts.
posted by rmd1023 at 8:43 AM on November 27, 2009

FACT: While American Thanksgiving is about the pilgrims coming over, Canadian Thanksgiving is about giving thanks for the harvest. This is why Thanksgiving in Canada is in the fall, at the end of our harvest season (October) and Thanksgiving in the US is later.

The more you know!

I happen to like T-day being two months before C-day rather than one - if they were closer, I probably couldn't afford to visit family for both. Regardless, poor Americans were denied the ability to celebrate last month, so why bemoan their happiness now? Happy belated Thanksgiving to all who celebrate, happy harvest festival to everyone in the Northern Hemisphere, and happy... uh... Spring (?) to those in the Southern Hemisphere.

Also: Secret Life of Gravy - you are so darn sweet I don't even need pie.
posted by arcticwoman at 8:44 AM on November 27, 2009 [1 favorite]

Also, ham and cranberry sauce sandwiches are SO BALLER

Harris Teeter has Turkey, Brie and Cranberry sauce sandwiches in the deli and they're fucking awesome.
posted by empath at 8:46 AM on November 27, 2009

When I say Baby you say Blue. Baby. Blue! Baby. Blue!
posted by chunking express at 8:56 AM on November 27, 2009

Apparently I am vastly entertained by the image of a bunch of dour, black-broadclothed, buckle-shoed, white-stockinged Calvinists throwing some vicious elbows during a frenzied stampede of consumerism towards the last Tickle Me Elmo dolly.

Tickling is the Devil's Handiwork. They would be more likely to buy the Piously Working Goodman Elmo dolly.
posted by GenjiandProust at 8:56 AM on November 27, 2009 [3 favorites]

'Black Friday' when I was a lad meant any Friday that fell on the 13th of the month, where it was traditional for all the bullies and thugs who bore a grudge against anyone to assault them in the school yard, or in one town for the boys of the two rival schools to meet in the park for a pitched battle (which was obviously a lot more shouting and front than actual fighting, though there was enough of that to be going on with). Bit like the scrum at the sales in one way, I suppose.
posted by Abiezer at 8:57 AM on November 27, 2009

"If you read his site—which is awesome—you'll see he likes to get his hate on."

That's cool and all, but as old school A LIST a guy as joeclark is, and as much CSS as I've stolen from him over the years, MetaFilter isn't his site. The Canadian inferiority complex tantrum is better thrown at home, 'cause doing it out here in public is kind of embarrassing everyone.
posted by majick at 9:10 AM on November 27, 2009 [2 favorites]

Ah, crap, I just remembered we forgot to open the ceremonial can of gelled cranberry sauce. Well, it can gather dust until next year -- I won't inflict it on a food bank.
posted by The corpse in the library at 9:14 AM on November 27, 2009

The Canadian inferiority complex tantrum is better thrown at home...

I disagree. Isn't MetaTalk where people go to air their grievances, only to discover no one gives a fuck?
posted by chunking express at 9:14 AM on November 27, 2009

Fuck, I forgot to post a Canadian Hip Hop video in that comment.
posted by chunking express at 9:15 AM on November 27, 2009 [1 favorite]

Harris Teeter has Turkey, Brie and Cranberry sauce sandwiches in the deli and they're fucking awesome.

I know a place near here that does them, too, and I'm starving... ...brb.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 9:16 AM on November 27, 2009

Maybe it's worth noting that Joe Clark is one of Canada's least popular former Prime Ministers. We only allowed him to run the country for 9 months. Better than Kim Campbell, sure, but nothing to write home about!
posted by sunshinesky at 9:20 AM on November 27, 2009

Buy Nothing day got started in Canada? Fuck that shit, I'm going shoppng.

May I recommend the iStore?

sorry
posted by vapidave at 9:24 AM on November 27, 2009

Nah, there's no such casual assumption. Someone's just posting something of interest to them, just like any other post....

Like every other post at Metafilter, just scroll past it if you think it's stupid.

Pretty much this. I'm not American, but I accept that most MeFites are, and they will naturally post things that are of interest to them. Sometimes those things will also be of interest to me, too. I don't feel like I need someone holding my hand and spelling everything out: "This Thanksgiving (which is an American holiday, we're not talking about the Canadian one, which happens a bit earlier)" etc. [tho' I can think of a few US political threads where more context in the OP would have been nice, but never mind...]

Also, Thanksgiving sounds like an awesome holiday and the sort that people in general need more of.

Also, pie!
posted by Infinite Jest at 9:34 AM on November 27, 2009

You're not allowed to hate American Thanksgiving! I got engaged yesterday, so it's an extra awesome day!
posted by Windigo at 9:34 AM on November 27, 2009 [11 favorites]

Holy crap, but Thanksgiving is torture. As much as everyone here may be all lovey-dovey hunky-dory with their goddamned families, please don't forget those of us who are less fortunate. As I type this, my ears shudder with pain and frustration as the big stereo in the living room here plays Michael W. Smith's Christmas Album. (This day's sole moment of warmth and light for me was when I managed to shoehorn in a tape of a Peel show from 1992 entitled John Peel's Other Christmas Records, but around about the song "Santa Claus was Black" I think everybody was hoping to change the disc.) And I have to fight the temptation, strong though it may be, to stand up and scream FUCK THIS SAPPY, KEENING, HIDEOUSLY EVIL BULLSHIT, AND FURTHERMORE FUCK IT ANALLY WITH A BEAUTIFUL, SHINING CHROME DILDO UNTIL IT SUFFERS FROM ORGASM AFTER ORGASM AND SUDDENLY REACHES TRUE SALVATION! – I have to fight the temptation to stand up and scream that both because these are my brother's inlaws (his wife's father's a pastor) and because I pretty much blew my wad the night before Thanksgiving when I exploded at my dad in front of my mom (they're both devout evangelicals, too) and told him that "Christian Rock" specifically and the evangelical movement generally are both the spiritual equivalent of masturbation, and that, while contrary to popular belief there's nothing intrinsically wrong with masturbation, if people want to masturbate they may as well actually whip it out and pump a few out if they're so inclined rather than sublimating it into a crude and savage superstition. So having come out and said that at the beginning of the whole visit, I don't really have the energy to say what I really think any more, and have sunk back into smiling and nodding in the hopes that people will leave me the fuck alone.
posted by koeselitz at 9:40 AM on November 27, 2009 [1 favorite]

Chunking express, I think you got the wrong Baby Blue. This one is cuter, and has animals crossed with pandas dancing in hypnotic synchronicity, whilst you are serenaded by adorable Japanese high school girls.

And, as a non-Australian, I will, in some part, agree about Bali. Bali is, in many ways, fantastic, aside from the hordes of Australian tourists (present company excluded). Stay away from Kuta, and avoid the market in Ubud after lunch, and you should be fine. The food in Kuta sucks because all of the restaurants are trying to serve what all of the tourists want, so the menus are all the same (...the fuck's a jaffle?). Go to Indus, to Dirty Duck, to Ibu Oka in Ubud. Take the cooking course at Casa Luna. Balinese food is like heaven on Earth.
posted by Ghidorah at 9:42 AM on November 27, 2009

Forty ~~Thanksgivings~~ years ago Alcatraz Island

Actually, the Native Americans who overthrew Alcatraz chose to do it on Thanksgiving for symbolic reasons, so changing that FPP the way you would have preferred would have been misinformed.

It's not the holiday. It's the casual assumption that everyone else in the world wants to hear about it. Bottom line though, MetaFilter is really a US site with some people from other places thrown in. It's to be expected really.

One could also argue that because metafilter uses English it already alienates potential users who speak another language. One could further argue that metafilter potentially alienates the illiterate, or that it potentially alienates those without the internet.
posted by HP LaserJet P10006 at 9:48 AM on November 27, 2009 [3 favorites]

Happy Thanksgiving, non-Americans!
posted by spaltavian at 9:56 AM on November 27, 2009

FACT: While American Thanksgiving is about the pilgrims coming over, Canadian Thanksgiving is about giving thanks for the harvest.

Not a FACT at all. American Thanksgiving is a harvest feast. It may have been first celebrated by the Pilgrims, but that doesn't make it "about the Pilgrims."
posted by palliser at 10:26 AM on November 27, 2009 [1 favorite]

or, oops, what Solon and Thanks said. Took me a while to read the thread, I guess.
posted by palliser at 10:27 AM on November 27, 2009

. It may have been first celebrated by the Pilgrims

No - to reiterate, they didn't celebrate our Thanksgiving and wouldn't have recognized it. They ate a harvest feast with Indians in 1621 and wrote a few lines about it. And they had Holy Days of Thanksgiving in church. These were different things. Our thanksgiving really doesn't have much to do with the Pilgrims' unless you believe stories concocted in the 19th century by people with the agenda of creating an American identity through crafting a faux American history. It also doesn't have that much to do with Native harvest feasts. All agrarian cultures have harvest feasts, including the Europeans who had some here early on.
posted by Miko at 10:31 AM on November 27, 2009

American Thanksgiving is later because our harvest is later. It's warmer here.
posted by spaltavian at 10:32 AM on November 27, 2009 [3 favorites]

Huh, and actually, according to Wikipedia, it's Canadian Thanksgiving that is tied to gratitude for surviving a sea voyage:

The history of Thanksgiving in Canada goes back to an explorer, Martin Frobisher, who had been trying to find a northern passage to the Pacific Ocean. Frobisher's Thanksgiving was not for harvest but homecoming. He had safely returned from a search for the Northwest Passage, avoiding the later fate of Henry Hudson and Sir John Franklin. In the year 1578, he held a formal ceremony, in what is now the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, to give thanks for surviving the long journey....

At the same time, French settlers, having crossed the ocean and arrived in Canada with explorer Samuel de Champlain, in 1604 onwards also held huge feasts of thanks.

So, yeah, the more you know.
posted by palliser at 10:34 AM on November 27, 2009 [3 favorites]

awfurby: It's not the holiday. It's the casual assumption that everyone else in the world wants to hear about it.

Are you kidding? Every single thing on Metafilter carries that assumption that someone else wants to hear about it. Some links I don't find interesting, or can't relate to, so I ignore them. I don't get self-righteous about every godmamn think not being applicable to me.

For the record, I would enjoy the fuck out of posts and discussions about holidays we don't have in America.
posted by spaltavian at 10:37 AM on November 27, 2009 [3 favorites]

Happy Thanksgiving, MetaFilter (although for those of you not from the US these greetings are kind of superfluous)!

No. This is just unreasonable. Can you imagine how MetaFilter would start to look if we stopped making any assumptions at all that people could understand a cultural reference? "Merry Christmas! (With apologies toward those who don't celebrate this holiday)." "100 Great summer picnic suppers! (With apologies to those of you in the Southern Hemisphere who will have to wait a few months to enjoy them)." "Richard Dawkins does whatever! (with apologies to those of you who don't believe in God.)" Alternatively, we could end up with a World Book Encyclopedia-like vapid tone which assumes every little thing needs to be explained ("New York (a large seaboard city in the Eastern United States)..."; "The Eiffel Tower, an iconic large wrought-iron structure in Paris,...")

Please, let's give each other a little more credit for being aware that not everyone's lives are exactly like our own, and that that's okay - even when we're the ones in the minority. Let's aim for a little more basic assumption of goodwill.

I agree with posters above that I would love, love, love it if everyone posted more in celebration of their unique cultural traditions. We'd all learn something, and folks would have a good time.
posted by Miko at 10:45 AM on November 27, 2009 [19 favorites]

Please, let's give each other a little more credit for being aware that not everyone's lives are exactly like our own, and that that's okay - even when we're the ones in the minority. Let's aim for a little more basic assumption of goodwill.

One lesson I have to re-learn every so often is not to be afraid to ask questions. For every person who asks 'what is this "thanks-giving"¹ of which you speak?' there will be 99 other people who were wondering the same thing, and didn't ask because they thought they'd look silly.

1: If course I know what thanksgiving, specifically, is, but you know what I mean. And if you don't... see above.
posted by FishBike at 10:52 AM on November 27, 2009 [1 favorite]

The idea that one culture's Thanksgiving is better timed to the harvest than another is spurious. "The harvest" isn't one single event. There are harvests of different crops all year long. The main harvest season in Northern climes starts rolling at the end of August and really heats up in September. Harvests continue through October and well into November for squash and cole crops. When people lived according to a more agrarian calendar, you couldn't just bring in the food and be done with it; food would spoil. So you had to go through the process of preservation or putting by the bulk of the food products you harvested. This meant: slaughtering and salting or curing pork and beef; making jams, jellies, and preserves; making pies; cellaring root vegetables; drying herbs and vegetable purees; making tinctures and liquers; candying fruit; canning vegetables in vinegar; making cider; making beer; grinding grains, etc. The readiness of the food for these processes varied with each season's weather and with local climate.

So there has never, in any agrarian culture, been a single calendar day at which you could declare the harvest "in" year after year. The decision about when to celebrate the harvest has been fairly arbitrary across cultures. Some celebrate the "first fruits" - the first moments the harvest is available, like maize-harvest festivals in July or August. Some celebrate the bounty of fresh food in mid-harvest. American Thanksgiving is late, allowing for the food to be mostly either preserves or storage crops. In fact, that's been the tradition for over a hundred years. Thanksgiving was a time to bring out and display and savor the array of pickles, preserves, and pies that had been laid by for the winter already. These were complemented by hardy root crops and storage crops - potatoes, turnips, carrots, squashes, winter greens. These flavors that we still enjoy aren't arbitrary; they're the flavors of the result of the harvest, including the late fall harvests; the best of what you're going to have before you to eat and enjoy throughout the winter months.

In addition, American Thanksgiving was pretty well timed for people in Northern environments to truly be done with most of the outdoor cultivation work for the season. Instead of feasting and then going back in to more harvesting and working on late crops, by the end of November, snow is coming and most of the field work is done for the season. So to the New England communities who developed Thanksgiving as we know it, the timing of this festival signalled an end to one labor cycle and the beginning of another, a more indoor, preparatory set of tasks. If ours were in September or October, there'd be another cold-weather crop season ahead. The choice was to look to the very end of the harvest, for reasons that suited the people who made that choice.
posted by Miko at 10:55 AM on November 27, 2009 [17 favorites]

The original post reaffirms my belief that people a) love to be offended and b) will go out of their way to look for things to be offended by.
posted by tantrumthecat at 11:40 AM on November 27, 2009

chunking express: When I say Baby you say Blue. Baby. Blue! Baby. Blue!

Oh baby blue Oh baby blue
Come here I'm gonna smear another colour over you.
Get out of bed you little sleepy head.
Your black and white needs a little bit of red.
posted by hangashore at 11:41 AM on November 27, 2009

And for the record, I'm Canuck and have absolutely no issues with references to Thanksgiving, American or otherwise.
posted by tantrumthecat at 11:41 AM on November 27, 2009

The original post reaffirms my belief that people on MeFi a) love to be offended and b) will go out of their way to look for things to be offended by.
posted by fixedgear at 11:46 AM on November 27, 2009 [1 favorite]

Touché , fixedgear! :p
posted by tantrumthecat at 11:52 AM on November 27, 2009

No, I think tantrumthecat was right in the first place. But I am jaded because I once was in charge of a "Letters to the Editors" column for a local newspaper and you cannot imagine how many people are mortally offended by things like highway cones and the local high school choir's choice of music.
posted by Sidhedevil at 11:59 AM on November 27, 2009 [2 favorites]

Forget it Joe, it's Metafilter.
posted by stinkycheese at 12:05 PM on November 27, 2009 [2 favorites]

I just spent my Thanksgiving holding my seven-year-old's hair while she barfed, and icing my torn rotator cuff.

That must have been some powerful barfing.
posted by mikepop at 12:07 PM on November 27, 2009 [5 favorites]

I am mortally offended by highway cones. Their cheery colors, conic shape and wide brim is a deliberate offense perpetrated by small minded highway department bureaucrats upon the memory of America's persecuted witches, past and present.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 12:13 PM on November 27, 2009

You have some time left, America ~~Mr. Banks~~. You have some life left. My advice to you is: live it well.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 12:19 PM on November 27, 2009

Having lived in harvest country in the middle of North America and looking for seasonal work I found out that grain harvests start out north and move south. Since the days are growing shorter in all the hemisphere in that time of year I assumed that the threat of frost was what drove this pattern.
Curiously, and IIRC (been 26 years) in Alaska the herring run starts out toward the south and moves north while the later salmon run starts out in the north and moves south. You follow work northward with the herring run, pivot and work back southward with the salmon run.

Oh, also canola is an acronym for CANadian Oil Low in Acid which is much more marketable than rape(seed) oil.
posted by vapidave at 12:27 PM on November 27, 2009

You know what this thread needs? Some fucking Barrington Levy.
posted by chunking express at 12:36 PM on November 27, 2009 [1 favorite]

That dude is broader than broadway.
posted by chunking express at 12:37 PM on November 27, 2009

The average American only gets something like three weeks of paid time off a year, compared to Europe where in most countries you start at four.

The fuck are you talking about, three weeks? Every company I've observed starts employees out with two and then (if you're lucky) bumps it up by a week after so many years of tenure.

Did you just separate the PB from the &J sandwich? You're killing me here. The concept of a J sandwich is awful to consider.

Further along the (too) awful to consider spectrum is a recent acquaintance's admission that he's fond of PB and mayo sandwiches. With olives. I think I'd just go straight for the milk of magnesia and cut out the middleman.
posted by kittyprecious at 12:47 PM on November 27, 2009

Oh, also canola is an acronym for CANadian Oil Low in Acid which is much more marketable than rape(seed) oil.

I've tried several times to hammer it into some rather skeptical young people that, yes, canola used to be called, within my lifetime, rapeseed, and not a single one of them would buy it. It is, however, very true. My uncle grows it!
posted by Sys Rq at 12:53 PM on November 27, 2009

Our thanksgiving really doesn't have much to do with the Pilgrims' unless you believe stories concocted in the 19th century by people with the agenda of creating an American identity through crafting a faux American history.

Bingo. There is quite a bit of mythology regarding the Mayflower, the "Pilgrims" and the First Thanksgiving.

The sailing of the Mayflower was a commercial venture. It was funded by the London Company (an English joint stock company) which had recruited planters/farmers (who brought their families and indentured servants along) and other hired-hands to establish settlement to harvest flora/fauna and other natural resources. The London Company was also responsible for establishing the disastrous Jamestown Settlement in 1607.

The Mayflower carried a total of 102 passengers. Only 37 were members of the separatist Leiden congregation (aka English Separtists, "Saints") who had bought passage on the Mayflower.

The original destination was Virgina, but after 66 days at sea the Mayflower arrived in Provincetown Harbor (November 21, 1620). During the next few weeks some went ashore to explore. Later they crossed Cape Cod Bay and set anchor. They stayed aboard the vessel for the winter. Struck by disease (scurvy, pneumonia and tuberculosis) many perished. In March 1621 they left the Mayflower and went ashore at Patuxet (named Port St. Louis in 1605 by Samuel de Champlain). The settlement would become New Plimouth.

Only 53 people were alive in November 1621 to celebrate the first Thanksgiving -- a 3 day feast. Likely on the menu: Cod, Eel, Clams, Lobster, Wild Turkey, Goose, Duck, Crane, Swan, Partridge, Eagles, Venison, Seal, Wheat Flour, Indian Corn, Pumpkin, Peas, Beans, Onions, Lettuce, Radishes, Carrots, Plums, Grapes, Walnuts, Chestnuts, Acorns, Olive Oil, Liverwort, Leeks, Dried Currants and Parsnips.

There are only 2 primary sources regarding the events of autumn 1621 in Plymouth : Edward Winslow writing in Mourt's Relation and William Bradford writing in Of Plymouth Plantation.

BTW -- some historians consider another feast as the First Thanksgiving by Europeans in North America.

"Historians have also recorded other ceremonies of thanks among European settlers in North America, including British colonists in Berkeley Plantation, Virginia. At this site near the Charles River in December of 1619, a group of British settlers led by Captain John Woodlief knelt in prayer and pledged 'Thanksgiving' to God for their healthy arrival after a long voyage across the Atlantic. This event has been acknowledged by some scholars and writers as the official first Thanksgiving among European settlers on record. Whether at Plymouth, Berkeley Plantation, or throughout the Americas, celebrations of thanks have held great meaning and importance over time. The legacy of thanks, and particularly of the feast, have survived the centuries as people throughout the United States gather family, friends, and enormous amounts of food for their yearly Thanksgiving meal."

posted by ericb at 1:08 PM on November 27, 2009 [4 favorites]

Good points Miko. In celebration of the day after thanksgiving (which is what time it is in my time zone, in the US--sorry to those of you who are sleeping), I just picked the last kale and even radishes from the garden. Now harvest is over and the long winter of cultural imperialism begins.

We had two turkeys this year, and I steamed one of them like a Chinese duck and then tea-smoked in on the barbecue. Today's turkey soup is the best ever.
posted by Mngo at 1:16 PM on November 27, 2009

I also am mortally offended by traffic cones, because they are unseemly and unwholesome reminders of Catwoman's bosoms. I don't know what this nonsense about witches is. Catwoman wasn't a witch.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 1:21 PM on November 27, 2009 [2 favorites]

I've tried several times to hammer it into some rather skeptical young people that, yes, canola used to be called, within my lifetime, rapeseed, and not a single one of them would buy it. It is, however, very true. My uncle grows it!

As a prairie boy, I have (somewhere) a nice cardboard display with transparent bubbles of various crops and grades of crop. It wasn't called Canola then, and I'm not that old.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 1:22 PM on November 27, 2009

Hey joe!

I was having a really keen day and then you came along and posted your stupid little Meta and now I'm just all angry and stressed and it's bumming me out.

If this was anyone else, I'd assume they were really trying to be all inclusive and just reminding us to think more globally, but since it's you I know the post is just here because you've got your underwear all up in a bunch again because you can't have your way.

Oh, and way to go trying to be all proper and then stupiding up and insisting that we call it American Thanksgiving. Oh really?!?

You'll definitely be confusing our poor clueless Mexican neighbors who also have no clue about Thanksgiving.

Most of the bands, authors, artists, sculptors, political movements, etc. FPPed here on MetaFilter I haven't heard of, and often people make no attempt to explain who or what they are. Instead of posting a MeTa and being all "Me me me!" I just skip on by.

Oh that you could do the same and just enjoy the stick up your ass without sharing it with all of us too.
posted by Deathalicious at 1:38 PM on November 27, 2009

Hey Joe

Where you goin’ with that gun in your hand
Hey Joe, I said where you goin’ with that gun in your hand

I’m going down to shoot myself a turkey
You know, I hear it’s still Thanksgiving in some other land
Yes, I’m going to shoot myself a turkey
Not just gonna have some sandwich with jam
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 1:44 PM on November 27, 2009 [5 favorites]

Oh, also canola is an acronym for CANadian Oil Low in Acid which is much more marketable than rape(seed) oil.

So they claim, but I think it's a ripoff of Mazola corn oil and other now defunct vegetable oils. {Plant}-ola was a very common brand strategy long before the Canadian rapeseed producers came up with that--I suspect the "Oil Low in Acid" thingie is retroconning.

I AM GOING TO WRITE A LETTER TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL TO EXPRESS MY OUTRAGE
posted by Sidhedevil at 1:45 PM on November 27, 2009

Now I wish I had posted something on Sweden's upcoming Sankta Lucia holiday on Mefi instead of musical TV program from Catalan, Spain. Because, as holidays go? Walking around Sweden with lit candles on your head to guard against LUCIFER LORD OF DARKNESS (LLOD) while guys run around dressed up as big gingerbread men, and everyone is drunk on Glogg? AWESOME.

My family is of Swedish origin and Lucia day is one of my total favorite winter holidays. I'm kind of the Scrooge of Thanksgiving for a number of reasons, but man, Lucia Day is EXACTLY like Christmas without the presents and weirdness. And since only half of my family celebrated it, I got to avoid the Child-Of-Divorced-Parents "Who am I trying to avoid this year?" ballet.

My mom, thankfully, never put candles on my head though. I'm kind of clumsy. The electric wreaths ala Kirsten of the American Girl doll fame didn't come out until I was too old to really be paraded around bringing my parents coffee (one of the duties of the Lucia girl). My future children will totally have wreaths on their heads. Totally.

(I wasn't around posting yesterday as I was celebrating my American-ness by driving long distances, eating a lot of food - including two types of pie and a cheesecake, and engaging in a marathon session of Apples to Apples in which Helen Keller won for the adjective "Chewy." And then my merry wacakdoo fictive kin extended "family"spontaneously burst into song, including some of the worst renditions of Christmas Carols that have ever been performed. It was truly one of the best ~~Thanksgivings~~ Thursdays of my life.)
posted by grapefruitmoon at 1:52 PM on November 27, 2009

As a patriotic Brit with a Canadian mother - Happy Thanksgiving Americans! I hope you enjoyed your odd pies. It's always good to read of people doing lovely family, food, celebratory things, whatever their culture. And for those without family, or who lost someone in the last year, or anyone for whom Thanksgiving is a difficult time - my thoughts and best wishes go out to you.
posted by alasdair at 2:09 PM on November 27, 2009

I didn't buy anything today. This was the first Thanksgiving weekend when I've actually seen my whole nuclear family because 1. I'm in the area and 2. I'm finally over feuding with them and assuming they're going to wreck everything. I didn't buy anything today BUT I did go to the JFK Library and Museum [with passes from the public library] and my boyfriend bought me some gasoline [because I'd been driving him all over hellandgone]. If people went shopping I hope they got stuff they like.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 2:09 PM on November 27, 2009

Feb. 15 is the anniversary of our first date, and it's way easier to carry the date over than to have me remember a new one. Of course, that's Presidents' Day in the US, so hopefully joeclark will make a MeTa then, too.

NO, IT'S MY BIRTHDAY YOU BASTARD

An acknowledgment that the readers of your comment might not ~~live in a country that celebrates Thanksgiving~~ be in a relationship that celebrates an anniversary or might ~~live in Canada where it’s celebrated in October~~ not be a president of a country, an organization, or even a local book club would show greater understanding of the ~~global reach~~ plate of beans that certain members of this site enjoy bathing in, much like Roger Daltrey on the cover of "The Who Sell Out."
posted by scody at 2:10 PM on November 27, 2009 [2 favorites]

I stole a traffic cone once. But then I took it back the next night because I felt guilty.
posted by Evangeline at 2:27 PM on November 27, 2009

More importantly, today is the National Day of Listening in the U.S.
posted by gman at 2:36 PM on November 27, 2009 [1 favorite]

"Every company I've observed starts employees out with two and then (if you're lucky) bumps it up by a week after so many years of tenure."

Yeah, I got my third week of vacation my third year at my current job. After five years I'll get four weeks, ten years nets me five weeks, and twenty years will earn me a gold watch and a boot in the ass.
posted by mr_crash_davis mark II: Jazz Odyssey at 2:42 PM on November 27, 2009 [3 favorites]

I bought a cup of coffee today, is that okay?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:54 PM on November 27, 2009

how dare you buy coffee - don't you worry about offending tea drinkers?
posted by pyramid termite at 2:57 PM on November 27, 2009

What's that? You have left overs?

Mashed potato soup: Combine turkey broth, cream gravy and mashed potatoes all together until the consistency is of your liking and warm up in the microwave. You can throw in some vegetables and chunked turkey or you can sprinkle with cheese or both!

Turkey roll up: Turkey, cream cheese, ranch dressing and greens on a tortilla or other flatbread. Serve with a side of sliced apples so you don't feel so guilty.

Eggnog French toast: Slice up rolls or bread to 1 inch thickness and cover with eggnog. Refrigerate for an hour or two. Fry up with plenty of butter.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 3:07 PM on November 27, 2009

I stole a traffic cone once. But then I took it back the next night because I felt guilty.
It may actually be a graduation requirement in UK universities that whilst drunk you place one of these on either your own head or that of some piece of public statuary.
posted by Abiezer at 3:09 PM on November 27, 2009

...either your own head or that of some piece of public statuary.

If, in fact, you can tell the difference.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:32 PM on November 27, 2009 [1 favorite]

I bought a cup of coffee today, is that okay?

Fair trade? Bird friendly? Organic?
posted by fixedgear at 3:36 PM on November 27, 2009

I haven't bought anything today. But that's because I essentially finished my Christmas shopping yesterday afternoon before the big meal.
posted by dw at 3:57 PM on November 27, 2009

It may actually be a graduation requirement in UK universities that whilst drunk you place one of these on either your own head or that of some piece of public statuary.

Oh my goodness, maybe traffic cones in the UK are very different from the ones in the US. It took two of us to lift it into the trunk of my car. If I had tried to put it on my head, I'd be dead.
posted by Evangeline at 4:01 PM on November 27, 2009

I think it's perfectly fine to drink coffee, so long as you also remember to honor all other beverages by at least having a sip of everything else in the interest of equal time. Yes, this can get expensive, but you're the one who decided to drink coffee. No one forced you to buy it.

ALSO: WHY WOULD YOU BUY COFFEE!?! YOU CAN MAKE IT AT HOME FOR FASTER AND CHEAPER!
posted by mccarty.tim at 4:03 PM on November 27, 2009

Oh, crap. I went to Mr. Coffee.com, and found this abomination. Alton Brown will want a word with those engineers.

I also love the fact that in Chrome the audio for both ads plays at once, making it sound demonic.

(Devil's Advocate: I guess it saves counter space if you are always drinking coffee and smoothies and/or coffee smoothies. But still, a dedicated coffee maker and a dedicated blender will probably be much better and much more reliable.)
posted by mccarty.tim at 4:08 PM on November 27, 2009

Oh my goodness, maybe traffic cones in the UK are very different from the ones in the US. It took two of us to lift it into the trunk of my car. If I had tried to put it on my head, I'd be dead.

It's true what they say, everything is bigger in the USA.

(To me, a traffic cone is a light-weight, plastic cone about three feet high, easily moveable by the weakest, drunkest student).
posted by Infinite Jest at 4:10 PM on November 27, 2009

ALSO: WHY WOULD YOU BUY COFFEE!?!

Food and drink tastes better when other people make them for you.

*Lights cigar with 100 favorites*
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:17 PM on November 27, 2009

I didn't buy anything today.
posted by jessamyn

I bought Sea Monkeys. I like the whole anti-consumer message and all, but I like Sea Monkeys better.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 4:50 PM on November 27, 2009 [2 favorites]

huh? traffic cones in the US are the plastic cones, in sizes ranging from about 18 inches high to about 3 feet high. there are also big traffic barrels, that are roughly the size of a 55 gallon drum, with an integrated flashing warning light.

also, they can be made into GIANT TRAFFIC BARREL MONSTERS (i don't approve of stealing the barrels to make this, but dude, that's a pretty cool monster right there)
posted by rmd1023 at 4:57 PM on November 27, 2009 [1 favorite]

I bought Sea Monkeys. I like the whole anti-consumer message and all, but I like Sea Monkeys better.

Sea-monkeys were invented and was owned by a racist neo-nazi that supported the Klan in southern MD for decades. Happy Holidays!
posted by empath at 5:21 PM on November 27, 2009 [1 favorite]

Here is my American Thanksgiving tale of woe:

So I've been sick all week, and made the decision not to go with my family over to the in-laws huge Thanksgiving do, because I didn't want to get anyone else sick as it is utterly miserable.

I just asked my husband, as he and the boys packed the coolers up with beverages, if they could maybe bring me back a slice of pumpkin pie if it wasn't too much trouble.

And I stayed home, and called up around lunch time and wished them all happy Thanksgiving and said I was sorry I couldn't be there, and just had a ham sandwich, and thought about pumpkin pie.

So they had turkey and gravy, green bean casserole and mashed potatoes with all the fixings and a salad and rolls and pumpkin AND pecan pies, and lots of beer and soda and hard lemonade and red wine to go with it all.

And so my husband and the boys came home around 8 at night (it's a two-hour drive). And unpacked all the drinks from the cooler.

No slice of pumpkin pie.

So I spent Thanksgiving in bed (and not in the good way), and I didn't have turkey or pie or nuthin'.

And I still like Thanksgiving, joeclark.

Lighten up already.
posted by misha at 5:32 PM on November 27, 2009 [4 favorites]

Sea-monkeys were invented and was owned

was owned. Don't go raining on my zooplankton.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 5:43 PM on November 27, 2009

Those of us preparing for Festivus applaud you.
posted by Drasher at 5:47 PM on November 27, 2009

Yes, Drasher, I, too, am awaiting the airing of grievances, although it seems to have started early.
posted by wv kay in ga at 6:22 PM on November 27, 2009 [2 favorites]

I, too, am awaiting the airing of grievances

Mother never favorited me and and father wouldn't add me as a contact.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:46 PM on November 27, 2009 [3 favorites]

>
Thanks for ruining part of my childhood. I was in the third grade. They seemed legitimately magical, and I was easily amused, unlike most kids who apparently get pissed that they're brine shrimp and not actual monkeys.
posted by mccarty.tim at 6:47 PM on November 27, 2009

uh? traffic cones in the US are the plastic cones, in sizes ranging from about 18 inches high to about 3 feet high.

I don't know what to tell you. It took two drunk, regular-size people to put it in the trunk. Maybe it was the awkwardness more than the weight. I ain't exactly frail.
posted by Evangeline at 6:49 PM on November 27, 2009

Thanks for ruining part of my childhood.

Hey, it was worse for me, I had to interact with the old bastard regularly.
posted by empath at 7:04 PM on November 27, 2009

So you got FREE Sea Monkeys?
posted by kuujjuarapik at 7:22 PM on November 27, 2009

I did, actually. His wife (who was actually very nice, but sometimes got uncomfortably flirty for someone who was old enough to be my grandmother) brought them in to the store one day and gave them to everyone. I don't remember what the occasion was actually, but that was how I found out who the guy was. I thought he was just a random cranky old bastard. I sometimes got the impression that the two of them coming into the grocery store I worked at was the highlight of their week.
posted by empath at 7:29 PM on November 27, 2009

I bought a cup of coffee today, is that okay?

I certainly hope so, because I went out to get new Christmas lights today and I took a bag of Arby's roast beef sandwiches home to my family, and that is surely a bigger sin on Buy Nothing Day than a cup of coffee.

*hangs head in shame*
posted by amyms at 8:15 PM on November 27, 2009

My mom, thankfully, never put candles on my head though. I'm kind of clumsy. The electric wreaths ala Kirsten of the American Girl doll fame didn't come out until I was too old to really be paraded around bringing my parents coffee (one of the duties of the Lucia girl). My future children will totally have wreaths on their heads. Totally.

I made myself a beautifully crayoned paper crown with paper candles for St. Lucia day when I was a kid because I was klutzy, too.

I, too would love to encourage more descriptions of holidays and festivals from around the world. I love that stuff! If people don't do this, I'll... I'll.... post about lutefisk! (cue violins of horror!)
posted by julen at 8:43 PM on November 27, 2009 [1 favorite]

I have seen lutefisk eating contests! I would enjoy that post.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 8:48 PM on November 27, 2009 [2 favorites]

Because I so lame, I have nowhere else to gloat, so this: ROLL TIDE ROLL! Wooo, we beat Auburn (who played a great game) and next we'll beat Florida complete with Jesus H. Tebow and then we'll again be the collegiate football eqivalent of the Yankees! Woooooo! ROLL TIDE ROLL!

Sometimes it's fun to be a redneck.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 12:14 AM on November 28, 2009 [1 favorite]

We don't know our ass from a hole in the ground.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 2:08 AM on November 28, 2009

Okay, will someone PLEASE do a post about Sankta Lucia already since I cannot for a whole week? Because it is a most excellent holiday celebrated mostly by countries who are not the United States. Also, please include an awesome recipe for homemade Glogg.

If only to amuse me, because I and mine have been grossly sick for 5 freaking days in a row now and missed Thanksgiving entirely while being subjected to hours upon hours of BLUE'S CLUES by a sadistic three year old. No turkey, no pie, nothing but chicken broth here. And some oatmeal.

(Also, if you are in Chicago and wish to experience a slice of Sankta Lucia for yourself, might I recommend the celebrations at either the Swedish American Museum, Daley Plaza or North Park University? It is a lovely way to kick off the holiday season with crowns of fire and caroling. After the North Park one, you can either dine at their Julboard or hop across the street to Tre Kronor for lots and lots of meatballs. Herring and lutefisk optional. If you do make the trek to NPU, look for the giant Swedish guy and a loud she-toddler. I should be somewhere around them. Say, "Hi.")
posted by jeanmari at 5:10 AM on November 28, 2009 [1 favorite]

Sankta Lucia is a pretty special celebration, for sure. It works on a grand scale, as well!
posted by soundofsuburbia at 7:21 AM on November 28, 2009

Hmmm. From the wiki:
"Before the reform of the Gregorian calendar in the 16th century, St. Lucy's Day fell close to the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. In Scandinavia this was also the date in the Gregorian calendar earlier celebrated by the hednic population that was afraid of Lucifer (the devil him self) wich still today somewhat lives throu the tradition of Lucevaka (and the related Lussinata if I'm reading correctly) stay awake on the night between 12th till 13th and gard oneself against being taken by Lucifer lord of darkness by having an all night party. This is still carried out today mostly by the younger population having great parties. When the light then arrives with the morning you are safe again."

The 12th is on Saturday this year. Just sayin'.

Again from the wiki:
"Lussinatta, the Lussi Night, was December 13, and by the unreformed Julian calendar, the longest night of the year. Then Lussi, a female being with evil traits, like a female demon or witch, was riding through the air with her followers, called Lussiferda. This itself might be an echo of the myth of the Wild Hunt, called Oskoreia in Scandinavia, found across Northern, Western and Central Europe.

Between Lussi Night and Yule, trolls and evil spirits, sometimes also the dead, were thought to be active outside. It was particularly dangerous to be out during Lussi Night. Children who had done mischief had to take special care, since Lussi could come down through the chimney and take them away, and certain tasks of work in the preparation for Yule work had to be finished, or else the Lussi would come to punish the household."

Ok, gotta go wash the paste off of my fingers. (and edit the wiki)
posted by vapidave at 8:38 AM on November 28, 2009

Normally I'd be grateful that someone else is complaining about the omnipresent Ameri-centricism on MeFi but when it's me and a certified crazy guy I start to wonder if I'm a little misguided.

You stay crazy Joe.
posted by GuyZero at 9:36 AM on November 28, 2009

Also, wait until my Simcoe Day post next summer.
posted by GuyZero at 9:37 AM on November 28, 2009

In Apples to Apples, Hellen Keller always automatically wins for everything. Unless I'm judging. I don't understand it, but it's true.
posted by Wolfdog at 11:02 AM on November 28, 2009

hop across the street to Tre Kronor for lots and lots of meatballs.

wait, Saint Lucy? The plate-of-eyeballs Saint Lucy? That doesn't put a Swede off his meatballs for the day?
posted by kuujjuarapik at 11:20 AM on November 28, 2009

Mmmmmm, Simcoe. Can't wait, GuyZero.
posted by fixedgear at 12:05 PM on November 28, 2009

The real issue is that Americans get far less vacation. The average American only gets something like three weeks of paid time off a year, compared to Europe where in most countries you start at four.

According to some generalized comparisons, folks in the US average 13 vacation days per year, or maybe 10.2 day. But the good news is that the U.S. still leads the industrialized world in productivity. USA! USA!

Why did no one raise up arms at the self-centered posts about Halloween? It's not celebrated world-wide. And that is the real shame. Sure, you don't get a day off, but you get to dress up and eat a bunch of candy (at least that's my plans for Halloween). Turkey can be made any time, but spooky candy? Only Halloween!
posted by filthy light thief at 1:21 PM on November 28, 2009

But the good news is that the U.S. still leads the industrialized world in productivity.

But, when it comes to happiness the U.S. ranks #13 in one study; #23 in another.

As was said at Massachusetts Senator Paul Tsongas' funeral in 1997: "Nobody on his deathbed ever said, 'I wish I had spent more time at the office.'"
posted by ericb at 2:32 PM on November 28, 2009

But the good news is that the U.S. still leads the industrialized world in productivity.
That's more bad news; not only aren't you getting your fair share of holidays, you're allowing yourself to be exploited more intensively than necessary in a modern industrial economy. Time for a Go Slow USA movement.
posted by Abiezer at 2:35 PM on November 28, 2009 [2 favorites]

The fuck are you talking about, three weeks? Every company I've observed starts employees out with two and then (if you're lucky) bumps it up by a week after so many years of tenure.

"Paid time off" does include paid holidays, bringing up the average. If you start with two weeks paid vacation, you also likely get 6-10 days in addition as paid time off.
posted by Miko at 2:38 PM on November 28, 2009

Oh God, I miss Paul Tsongas so much. F*ck cancer.
posted by jeanmari at 2:50 PM on November 28, 2009 [1 favorite]

P.S. BRING ON THE JULBORD AND GLOGG!!!
posted by jeanmari at 2:53 PM on November 28, 2009

In Apples to Apples, Hellen Keller always automatically wins for everything.

You're doing it wrong! It's supposed to be Anne Frank.

No one respects the RULES any more.
posted by Neofelis at 4:24 PM on November 28, 2009

You're doing it wrong! It's supposed to be Anne Frank.

I'm afraid both of you are wrong. The real automatic win in Apples to Apples is either Batman or Creamed Corn.

'Cause you don't mess with Batman. Or creamed corn.
posted by Ms. Saint at 5:32 PM on November 28, 2009

"Nobody on his deathbed ever said, 'I wish I had spent more time at the office.'"

These are going to be my final words just so I can shut up idiots who would reduce life to trite platitudes.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 6:59 PM on November 28, 2009 [1 favorite]

Hellen Keller always automatically wins for everything.

We found that in Party Playoff, Giant Squid is pretty much unbeatable.
posted by Miko at 7:44 PM on November 28, 2009

filthy light thief: But the good news is that the U.S. still leads the industrialized world in productivity.

Abiezer: That's more bad news; not only aren't you getting your fair share of holidays, you're allowing yourself to be exploited more intensively than necessary in a modern industrial economy. Time for a Go Slow USA movement.

uh, I'm pretty sure that filthy light thief's use of "good news" had an implicit HAMBURGER in there somewhere.
posted by scody at 1:04 AM on November 29, 2009

Oh, duh. Sorry filthy light thief. It's these cloth ears, the stitching's getting loose.
posted by Abiezer at 1:33 AM on November 29, 2009

(aside: what the heck are Apples to Apples and Party Playoff?)
posted by NikitaNikita at 9:10 AM on November 29, 2009

(They're board games.)
posted by box at 10:11 AM on November 29, 2009

Pfft. Amateurs. Celine Dion will always win any round of Apples to Apples.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 9:24 PM on November 29, 2009

Apples to Apples
Party Playoff
We know Celine is
A jerkoff
posted by UbuRoivas at 9:33 PM on November 29, 2009

if you are in Chicago and wish to experience a slice of Sankta Lucia for yourself

Simon's Tavern in Andersonville has some pretty righteous Glogg and an awesome jukebox to boot (if you like indie rock, that is). I miss Chicago.
posted by ekroh at 12:23 PM on November 30, 2009

It was great to meet Jinjo this weekend! I'm always thankful to run into MeFites.
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 3:54 PM on November 30, 2009

This HTML parser is seriously bad ass.
posted by chunking express at 7:16 PM on November 30, 2009

HTML!=HTTP
posted by !Jim at 7:54 PM on December 1, 2009

WORD. It's still pretty bad ass.
posted by chunking express at 8:01 PM on December 1, 2009

Though an HTML parser would be all the more bad ass. Probably not the easiest thing to write by hand though.
posted by chunking express at 8:09 PM on December 1, 2009

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