A new poll is examining politics on Thanksgiving and as it turns out, some people try harder to avoid those discussions than they do grandma's fruit cake.
According to a Quinnipiac University poll, roughly 6 out of 10 voters (61%) say they are hoping to avoid discussing politics while visiting with family or friends this Thanksgiving.
Meantime, only 29% said they are looking forward to those chats at the table.
"A healthy dose of 'zip it' will be on the menu as voters acknowledge that if they plan on 'talking turkey' over the big meal, it will be about the food and not about politics," Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy said in a statement.
The poll found that nearly 6 out of 10 voters (59%) say politics in the United States over the last year has not changed how they feel about discussing politics with family and friends, while 30% say it has changed for the worse, and 9% say it has changed for the better.
The survey also looked at blame for divisions among Americans, and found 35% blame social media, 32% blame political leaders, 28% blame cable news and 1% blame other countries. Ironically, the group that holds social media most responsible for the situation is voters 18 to 34 years old.
"When it comes to the source of the angry white noise of discord and division, the segment of the population most connected to it is the age group most critical of it," said Malloy.
If a political debate at the dinner table is inevitable, there are still ways to keep the conversation civil.
"We have to tread gently and with focus on our common humanity, rather than blasting someone as you're wrong, and you're evil," Eileen Kennedy-Moore, a clinical psychologist, told USA Today.
"Try to keep it friendly. Skip the insults and the sarcasm and watch your body language," she added. "Keep it open and relaxed, lean back, have your arms and your elbows away from your body – and definitely no pointing."
Don't forget: If a topic comes up that you'd rather not discuss, you can always try to change the topic or walk away from unwanted conversations.