Explain Thanksgiving, in detail, to an Aussie.
- Thread starter StBishop
- Start date
Well, Thanksgiving means different things to different families. I think most families don't even consider what they're thanking; they just cook lots of food on a particular day in November. My family gives thanks to the fact that we're fortunate enough to be able to have large amounts of food, but my family isn't exactly typical.
If you're religious, it's a time to pray and be thankful for everything that you have. But like most people said, it's more about eating until you fall asleep watching American football or parades on tv, and the day after Thanksgiving (aka "Black Friday") is the unofficial kickoff of the holiday season with consumerism galore. On Black Friday, adventurous shoppers get up at ungodly hours in the morning on the hunt for bargains. Plus, there's always at least one person who gets killed by being trampled on (no kidding, those early shoppers can be vicious!).
What it usually means is hoarding food then running it off by trying not to get trampled on Black Friday, that's what I guess it is for some people.
It's a purely American Holiday. It was made into a National Holiday by Lincoln during the Civil War to bring some joy and relieve some of the suffering so mant were going through. It basically commemorates the feast the Pilgrims and Indians had in Plymouth after their first year there. Although the Pilgrims were religious fanatics, think Taliban with muskets, the holiday has become a very secular holiday that revolves around food and shopping for the coming holidays.
Pretty much you give thanks for all of the good things you have in your life, such as your health or the health of your family or things of that nature.
It's not a religious holiday per se. A lot of people direct their thanks towards God, but believing in God isn't necessary to be thankful. Pretty much all Americans celebrate it, not just Christians. I'm an atheist Jew, and I celebrate it.
It's on the fourth Thursday of November. I have no idea what the significance of that day is.
What separates it from the other winter holidays in my mind is the fact that it's nondenominational. It's not a Christian or Jewish of Muslim holiday, it's an American holiday. It celebrates the beginning of American society.
Generally you have a big family gathering, eat turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce.
Yes, this is purely an American thing, although I think that some other countries have similar holidays on different days.
It's not a religious holiday per se. A lot of people direct their thanks towards God, but believing in God isn't necessary to be thankful. Pretty much all Americans celebrate it, not just Christians. I'm an atheist Jew, and I celebrate it.
It's on the fourth Thursday of November. I have no idea what the significance of that day is.
What separates it from the other winter holidays in my mind is the fact that it's nondenominational. It's not a Christian or Jewish of Muslim holiday, it's an American holiday. It celebrates the beginning of American society.
Generally you have a big family gathering, eat turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce.
Yes, this is purely an American thing, although I think that some other countries have similar holidays on different days.
Has nobody thought to find the youtube clip from Addam's Family 2? The one where Wednesday and Pugsley are sent to summer camp and run riot duringthe Thanksgiving pageant?
I'd find it, but I need to head for work, so I'd appreciate it if someone could tack that up... funny as fuck!
I'd find it, but I need to head for work, so I'd appreciate it if someone could tack that up... funny as fuck!
