How to talk about holidays and traditions in English
So what do people usually do for Thanksgiving?
“What do people usually do on Thanksgiving?”
When: Starting a conversation about a local holiday
The moment
It's November and your New York neighbor invites you to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade from her apartment. You want to ask how Americans celebrate, explain a holiday from your own country, and compare the two.
B1 · Unit 4 · Culture & conversation
The lines
Asking about customs
To learn about a holiday, ask what people usually do: "So what do people usually do for Thanksgiving?" Use "for" with the holiday name. "Usually" shows you want the normal custom, not just her plans.
So what do people usually do for Thanksgiving?
“What do people usually do on Thanksgiving?”
When to use it: Starting a conversation about a local holiday
What you’ll hear back: Oh, it's all about the food. Turkey, stuffing, pie, the whole thing. (The big meal is the most important part.)
Comparing with home
To link her tradition to yours, say: "Back home, we have something kind of like that." "Back home" means in your country. "Kind of like that" means similar, but not the same. Then explain the difference.
Back home, we have something kind of like that.
“In my country, we have something a little similar.”
When to use it: Connecting a local holiday to one from your country
What you’ll hear back: Oh yeah? What's it called? (Really? Tell me the name.)
Words for this scene
| Word or phrase | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Is it a big deal here? | IZ-it uh BIG DEEL HEER | Is this holiday very important in this place? |
I've heard of Halloween, but is it a big deal here for adults too? I know about Halloween, but do adults here also celebrate it a lot? Tip: Halloween is a huge deal in NYC; adults dress up too. | ||
| It's mostly a family thing. | its MOHST-lee uh FAM-lee THING | People usually celebrate it with their family. |
We have fireworks too, but it's mostly a family thing at home. We have fireworks too, but people usually celebrate with family at home. Tip: Many Americans travel home for Thanksgiving; airports are packed that week. | ||
| The whole idea is that... | thuh HOHL ai-DEE-uh iz thut | The main reason for this custom is... |
The whole idea is that you eat twelve grapes at midnight for good luck. The main point is you eat twelve grapes at midnight to bring good luck. Tip: Americans love hearing the "why" behind your traditions, so explain it. | ||
Your objective
Ask how they celebrate it here, describe a holiday from your country, and say one way the two are alike or different.
- a question about the celebration
- a holiday from home
- a comparison
Lines that get it done
- It's mostly a family thing. · People usually celebrate it with their family.
- So what do people usually do for Thanksgiving?
In the live scene the objective stays on screen, and the Replay afterwards says whether you got it done.
Check yourself
1. You want to know how Americans normally celebrate a holiday. What do you ask?
- So what do people usually do for Thanksgiving?
- So what do people usually do in the Thanksgiving?
- So what are people usually doing at Thanksgiving day?
- So what people usually do for Thanksgiving?
Show the answer
So what do people usually do for Thanksgiving?
Questions need "do," and Americans say "for Thanksgiving" when they talk about plans or customs.
2. Your neighbor describes a holiday that sounds similar to one in your country. What do you say?
- Back home, we have something like same.
- Back home, we have something kind of like that.
- Back in home, we have something kind of like that.
- Home back, we have something kind of like that.
Show the answer
Back home, we have something kind of like that.
"Back home" is a fixed phrase for your home country, and "kind of like that" means similar.
3. What does your neighbor mean when she says "Thanksgiving is a big deal here"?
- It's a very important holiday here.
- It's a holiday where people make business deals.
- It's a holiday with big sales in stores only.
- It's a small holiday that people often forget.
Show the answer
It's a very important holiday here.
"A big deal" means something important; it has nothing to do with business.