Happy Thanksgiving

[jack]

Happy thanksgiving!

Well, unless you're Canadian, I guess. I mean, I hope you're happy anyway, but I understand it isn't thanksgiving? Um, so sorry for missing Canadian thanksgiving.

And, um, is there a sensible way of saying happy thanksgiving that isn't offensive to native americans? :(

It feels funny to be saying "happy thanksgiving" in Britain. I think it's that many American holidays British people have absorbed a bit through general awareness of American culture, and have seeped into the UK somewhat (even if they don't know what they're like to experience). But thanksgiving isn't like that: it's not just American culture, it's inherently grounded in America. If I was in America (even as a foreigner), I think I'd just automatically celebrate thanksgiving (or if I was an expatriate American), but when I'm not, it feels like I'd be pretending to celebrate thanksgiving, not actually celebrating thanksgiving. In Britain, thanksgiving turns into "why are none of our oversees colleages answering the phones" day :)

Comments

[redbird]

FWIW, my mother is an expat, and when we chatted yesterday she not only wished me a happy Thanksgiving, but says that she misses the festivities. (She has lived in London for the past couple of decades.) Maybe an entire family of expatriates would celebrate; maybe if she hadn't been married to an Englishman, but had moved over on her own for some other reason, she might have. But you're right that it's a very American holiday. (American diplomats abroad do often celebrate, I believe, but it's part of their job to be American.)