The Week I Survived an American Thanksgiving
I knew I was in trouble the moment a student greeted me on Monday with:
“Are you excited for Turkey Week?”
I said, “I enjoy poultry, but I wasn’t aware it had a dedicated week.”
They stared at me the way teenagers look at anyone born before 2000.
Monday – The Pre-Feast Panic
All my American students were in a frenzy.
Sharing recipes.
Arguing about stuffing vs dressing.
One insisted that “cranberry sauce must come from a can or it doesn’t taste like childhood.”
I nodded politely while googling what on earth a yam is.
I assigned light homework because they all claimed they would be too busy “brining.”
I still don’t know what that means.
It sounds like it’s something illegal!.
Tuesday – Cultural Exchange Day
A student asked what Brits eat for our version of Thanksgiving.
I explained we don’t have one.
They looked devastated, as though I just admitted I hated Christmas.
To make up for it, I taught them all the phrase “taking the mickey.”
They repaid me by teaching me “Friendsgiving,” which is apparently Thanksgiving but with less family judgment and more alcohol.
Wednesday – The Great Pie Debate
I asked what pies they were making.
They listed pumpkin, pecan, apple, sweet potato.
One guy cheerfully announced “chocolate marshmallow peanut butter explosion pie.”
I said, “That’s not a pie. That’s a cry for help.”
He agreed.
Everyone left class early to cook.
I left early to google why Americans describe food portions in units of “a mountain of,” “a heap of,” and “a whole lotta.”
Thursday – My First Proper Thanksgiving
A student invited me (virtually) to their family dinner.
They propped the iPad on the table like I was an honoured international guest.
Observations from the field:
Turkey is enormous. I genuinely thought it was a small dog at first.
Everyone talks at once.
Mac and cheese on the same plate as roast meat is apparently legal.
There is a thing called green bean casserole. I’m still processing that.
The family insisted I say what I’m thankful for.
I panicked and said, “Properly brewed tea.”
They all nodded solemnly as if I’d delivered a profound truth.
Friday – The Day After
Every student logged in from bed, whispering like they’d survived a minor war.
One said, “I ate until time stopped.”
Another described Black Friday shopping as “combat with discounts.”
I gave them a listening exercise because none of them had the strength to speak.
I spent the evening reheating leftovers they’d made me promise to try.
The pumpkin pie was surprisingly good.
The marshmallow-topped potatoes were… an experience.
Weekend – Reflection
Turns out, Thanksgiving is quite lovely.
Good food.
Warm chaos.
Overly enthusiastic gratitude.
It’s like Christmas without the presents or the annual family argument about Monopoly rules.
I’m still not sold on the concept of yams pretending to be dessert.
But the spirit of it all is charming, in a big, loud, American way.
