Should you watch football on Thanksgiving? Etiquette expert reveals rules that can divide families

Thanksgiving is a time for families to gather around the table and enjoy a meal together, but there is also an endless amount of television to watch.

Between the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the National Dog Show, and numerous football games, there are reasons to keep the TV on all day.

For some families, having a televised thank you is a tradition, but for others it’s considered the height of rudeness.

So what is the right label?

In Bon Appét’s “Modern Guide to Thanksgiving Etiquette,” experts argue that football is as vital to Thanksgiving as turkey.

However, they advise making sure the TV doesn’t “dominate” the environment – and turn it off during the actual meal, and there should be no gadgets or mobile phones when there’s food on the table.

If you feel you should wear a jersey to root for your team, Bon Appétit said proper etiquette would be change for the meal and “no face paint or mascot costumes on the table, ever.”

And there are etiquette rules to keep in mind when watching the game, too.

There’s plenty of potential space for arguments at a Thanksgiving feast, but a football rivalry shouldn’t be one of them.

Etiquette expert Diane Gottsman shared on her blog that basic ground rules should be established before the game begins, such as no cursing or swearing.

“Focus on the game – not the people in the room,” she wrote. “If someone asks you to call them, do it. You can be withdrawn without even knowing it.”

She explained that there is a difference between bullying and mocking someone who supports the opposite team. While bullying is good-natured and light-hearted, teasing is mean-spirited and intended to hurt, belittle, or humiliate the other person. Be sure to tease, not tease.

A surefire way to keep it civil is to compliment the other team when you deserve it. If they make a good play, be a good sport about it. And remember that kids may be around and watching, so set a good example and show respect to rivals.

“Being a good winner or loser shows your child what is positive and appropriate behavior,” Gottsman wrote.

Getting angry and throwing things at the TV creates a bad environment. If you’re frustrated, go outside for fresh air or take a walk, or grab a glass of water and close your eyes to regroup.

And remember that not everyone is a football fan. If people want to sit in another room, let them.

At the end of the day, the person hosting the meeting is the one who decides whether the TV is on or off and whether football will be part of the day.

The host calls the shots, and guests should let the host be the guide for what’s acceptable and what’s not, EatingWell explained.

“If in doubt, observe the behavior of the host or those around you,” Jamila Musayeva, a certified etiquette coach, told the media. “Follow the crowding signs [and] consider the habits of the host.”