New Brunswick, a province of 85 per cent forest, boasts a particularly breathtaking autumn season. Weary of the impending snow, trees now host a defiant coat of beautiful colors; reminding us that change need not be threatening. On occasion, this season of change affects the heart as well. Statistically, relationships are more likely to end during the thanksgiving weekend than any other time of the year; coining the phrase “turkey dumping.”
Urbandictionary.com defines turkey dumping as “when a student returning from college breaks up with their significant other from high school. So-called because it traditionally takes place over thanksgiving break, the first time most students return from college.” Another relationship expert, Facebook, reports that most breakups among young people occur during spring break and thanksgiving; lending additional credibility to the turkey dumping phenomenon.
Many people can relate to this, perhaps even experiencing the act themselves. Personally, I was treated to a sample of turkey dumping in reverse, which I found to be infinitely less amusing at the time. As I entered my freshman year of study here at UNBSJ, my then-girlfriend was still in high school. The changes that autumn brings are sometimes threatening to new couples, and the relationship that I was in quickly fell apart; dissolving just days before thanksgiving. Turkey is known to make people tired; maybe she got tired of dating me as well.
The months of September and October are full of changes, which can be especially worrisome for couples. I’m horrible at giving relationship advice, but here it goes. If turkey dumping doesn’t sound like a meal you would enjoy, I’d recommend being agreeable and especially kind to your boyfriend/girlfriend this season. Secondly, if your relationship hits a rough patch during thanksgiving, I would fake an illness if/when invited to a thanksgiving meal with your partner’s family.
