A Sad Thought About Thanksgiving Day

By Val
@valmnz (17097)
New Zealand
November 25, 2015 11:58pm CST
I've just read a comment from another myLotter about Thanksgiving and how no doubt many American members will use their phones and ipads to check in here during their Thanksgiving Day with families. That thought actually makes me feel quite sad, that people can't step away from here for the day to give undivided time to celebrating Thanksgiving with their families. Families are more important than an online life. I do not expect to see many American people on here as Thanksgiving Day unfolds. Please, make the occasion your priority, not wondering what is happening here with the rest of us throughout the day. The rest of the world can look after each other. Your priority is Thanksgiving Day.
12 people like this
15 responses
hereandthere
@hereandthere (45639)
• Philippines
26 Nov 15
thanksgiving is 4 days, isn't it, thursday through sunday? but i agree, spend time with family while they're there. but maybe, they also need a breather when things get heated.
3 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
26 Nov 15
I didn't know Thanksgiving was more than one day. I thought Friday was called Black Friday, when Americans go crazy shopping.
3 people like this
hereandthere
@hereandthere (45639)
• Philippines
26 Nov 15
@Tampa_girl7 but friday is not a work or school day, right, so it's a four-day weekend.
3 people like this
Marie
@Tampa_girl7 (51174)
• United States
26 Nov 15
@valmnz it is only one day.
3 people like this
Boingboing
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
26 Nov 15
It will be interesting to see the impact on activity. I think we discussed once before what the percentage of US users might be as part of the total. Maybe we'll get some clues.
3 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
26 Nov 15
I think your follow up post says it all
2 people like this
Boingboing
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
26 Nov 15
@valmnz Thanks Val. I didn't want to look like a curmudgeon but I thought you made a really good point.
2 people like this
Koalemos
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
26 Nov 15
Family is important 365 days per year, but somehow I only think about the importance on special occasions.
2 people like this
Judy Story
@jstory07 (141446)
• Roseburg, Oregon
26 Nov 15
I will be on here before and after we go to my granddaughter house for Thanksgiving dinner.
2 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
26 Nov 15
Before and after seems like a good idea. Enjoy your time with your granddaughter and maybe tell us about it later.
1 person likes this
Marie
@Tampa_girl7 (51174)
• United States
26 Nov 15
I am sure that I will not be on much, but if I have spare time I will check in.
3 people like this
Val
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
26 Nov 15
I'm not expecting to see too much activity here.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (345099)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Nov 15
I would hate to see our friends and relations using their gadgets at a family gathering unless it was to contact missing members and wish them well.
2 people like this
marguicha
@marguicha (224750)
• Chile
26 Nov 15
I wholly agree with you. Some people are addicts to cellphones and ipads. I cannot think of any reason (except if there is a loved one at the hospital) to do that.
1 person likes this
marguicha
@marguicha (224750)
• Chile
27 Nov 15
@valmnz As I see it, that is evading real life.
1 person likes this
Val
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
26 Nov 15
I agree. People have become too dependent on their online lives.
1 person likes this
Always smiling
@allknowing (140040)
• India
26 Nov 15
One cannot be with family for 24 hours. A break from family also could be refreshing as spending all of that day together would weigh on them.
1 person likes this
theSids
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
26 Nov 15
I wished people reading this did think about life beyond the Gadgets of Today. It is sad that some of these gadgets have become too important for many, and family time is getting outdated.
1 person likes this
rebel_woman06
@SIMPLYD (90721)
• Philippines
26 Nov 15
I agree with you . They should prioritize being with their family on this day .
1 person likes this
DW Davis
@DWDavis (25805)
• United States
27 Nov 15
I agree with you that if you spend time online instead of with your family, your priorities are confused. But if you've spent time with family, cooked and eaten dinner, had some quality time, and now are just watching movies or football on television, then I don't see anything wrong with hopping online to see what's going on with your online friends. (The preceding was a self-serving rationalization.)
1 person likes this
Val
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
27 Nov 15
Yes, I agree with that! I should have made myself more clear
Anna
@LadyDuck (472426)
• Switzerland
26 Nov 15
I cannot believe that people use their phones, tablets and iPads while they are celebrating with their families. When my niece and family come to celebrate with us, they are requested to turn off their gadgets and they always do.
1 person likes this
Jekca
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
26 Nov 15
not really. they are hours and hours away, there really is just me and hubby, who is super tired from work and may nap all day
1 person likes this
Val
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
26 Nov 15
I can definitely relate to that! My husband used to be like that on Christmas Day and we just spent the time with the two of us bobbing out. I realise not everyone spends the day with family.
1 person likes this
Jekca
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
26 Nov 15
@valmnz If family was closer I'd go at least, ah well.
1 person likes this
Michelle
@Ponder243 (197)
• United States
26 Nov 15
My family isn't gathering together until Friday. I won't be online at all as it is a day dedicated to quality family time.
1 person likes this
Val
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
26 Nov 15
No matter what the day is, it's sad that some people can't drag themselves away from their devices to have real time.
Arthur Chappell
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
26 Nov 15
I'm sure everyone will understand when users are offline for special events - I'll be out most of today and tonight so I'm just doing a little before I need to head out shortly - life comes first