At least everyone would talk to each other instead of staring at the TV like zombies. At the family Thanksgivings that I am used to, the TV does eventually get turned on at after dinner, but during dinner the TV stays off.

TV really has the potential to completely destroy a social function. The worst New Year's Eve party I ever experienced was one at my place a few years ago. My roommate and I invited all of our friends, and there was a surprisingly good turnout. We had plenty of food and drinks, and it seemed set up for a good time. Then my roommate turned on whatever college bowl game happened to be on. Most of the guys focused in on the game, all of the women were bored out of their mind, and the most entertaining part of the night was standing outside in the cold talking to a friend who took frequent smoking breaks. 

So long.

Enjoy the meal ladies. You can find me at the corner bar.

I never experienced this because the hostess would always turn on the TV so the guys can watch football and eat their turkey dinner. Being a football fan myself, I would allow my future husband to watch it while eating turkey (yes, I'm a chick).

(1=never experienced this one) This would suck. Yeah, I don't watch sports. Neither does my husband. But, as far as I can tell, the whole "watching-the-game-on-Thanksgiving-Day" is a big "male bonding" thing, when you've got family that you usually don't see all hanging around one house, enjoying each other's company. Isn't that something to be thankful for?

I would listen to her and would probably agree. Women are more emotionally orientated like that which is good. Because not careing about emotional things would mean the break down on society.

First of all, regardless of what is on TV - the Macy's parade, sports, an old movie or whatever, TV is part of the whole experience. It's the official background noise of Thanksgiving if you will. Most people don't stay glued to it; they just want it on to catch bits and pieces and are usually talking over it as often as not. After the meal a big chair in front of the TV is the perfect place plop down and veg when the tryptophan kicks in. I'm certainly never going to be the one to turn off this particular aspect of the holiday atmosphere.

I think it's just kind of rude to get out of family-time to watch the tv. I mean, you have the tv all year except the rare occasions of Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday. Can't it be sacrificed for 2 days out of the year?

I'm not a wife, but I'd never do this to anyone. To make a guy wear one of those striped wool sweaters and a pasted smile for hours on end, trying to make small talk with Aunt Bertha, would just be cruel. Besides, I like sports.

that is enough to make me want to withhold sex.

Sorry, I'm not going to miss the parade! Pikachu might be in it again! =D

I have to agree with bibliophile here. I don't care for sports, but it seems a lot of guys look forward to watching football games on Thanksgiving. Why steal their joy?

I would never try to steal joy from anyone who wanted to watch sports. It's not my thing, but live and let live. The trick is, you have to offer them some better option. Family card tournaments (Spades, Pitch) often are a hit.

No way in hell would I allow such a decree.

Well, I hope the wives enjoy their Thanksgiving Dinner.