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With the holidays around the corner, half of Americans have already mapped out their conversation survival \u201cgame plan\u201d (50%).\u00a0<\/p>\n
A new survey<\/a>\u00a0of 2,000 adults 21 and older found that while some are finding solace in wine, others are finding the kids\u2019 table more appealing than ever (47%), especially millennials (62%).\u00a0<\/p>\n The survey explored how different generations are feeling the same pressure of navigating awkward conversations at the holiday table and revealed the\u00a0different ways\u00a0each peer group keeps things light.\u00a0<\/p>\n While each has its own opinions on the matter, the generations can all agree that some topics\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0have a seat at the table:\u00a0politics (42%), finances (28%) and comments on appearance or weight (26%).\u00a0<\/p>\n Questions like \u201cHow\u2019s your diet going?\u201d \u201cWho did you vote for?\u201d and \u201cCan I borrow money?\u201d were among the\u00a0most commonly cited\u00a0conversation culprits.\u00a0<\/p>\n Looking at how they navigate these tricky talks into friendlier chats, respondents are still pulling the classics \u2014 faking a phone call or making a quick dash to the restroom. But many stay put and lean into lighter conversational fare: food and wine.\u00a0<\/p>\n The survey commissioned by\u00a0St. Francis Winery & Vineyards<\/a>\u00a0and conducted by Talker Research found that despite their differences, food and wine is the favored topic to talk about across ages (48%), followed by a desire to discuss their social lives (36%), travel plans (33%), hobbies (32%)\u00a0and health (24%).\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhat stood out to me in this research is that people aren\u2019t shying away from connection \u2014 they\u2019re just getting smarter about how to have it,\u201d said Chris Louton, winemaker at St. Francis Winery. \u201cFood and wine give us something to gather around. They break the ice, invite\u00a0curiosity\u00a0and make space for conversations that\u00a0actually bring\u00a0us closer \u2014 awkward moments and all.\u201d<\/p>\n More than digging into divisive topics,\u00a0nearly half\u00a0(48%) said\u00a0they\u2019d\u00a0rather chat about hot takes on wine, for example.\u00a0<\/p>\n Staying curious about simple joys like food (90%), wine (77%) and hobbies (73%) are some of the most popular ways to spark conversation and connection.\u00a0<\/p>\n While wine lovers span every age, taste preferences can still spark some friendly tension: for example, Gen Z is\u00a0nearly five\u00a0times as likely to enjoy wine cocktails during the holidays as baby boomers (29% vs. 6%).\u00a0<\/p>\n Other playful debates include putting ice in wine (28%), bringing a budget bottle to dinner (23%)\u00a0or chilling a red (18%). Gen Z (23%) and millennials (25%) are also more likely to be enthusiastic about someone using wine as a mixer.\u00a0<\/p>\n Some even credit their favorite pour with helping set the tone: wine cocktails (15%) and other festive pours were seen as top mood boosters that help take the edge off an awkward moment.<\/p>\n Outside of food and wine, finding common ground \u2014 especially with younger family members \u2014 can be tricky, as different interests and conversation styles can get in the way.\u00a0<\/p>\n Most respondents report relating best to others their own age (82%), with baby boomers especially feeling that sense of camaraderie (88%). For example, boomers are especially tuned in to family updates (31%), while Gen Z is excited to share their goals for the new year (24%).\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone brings something different to the table,\u201d said Camille Lunt-Bisbey, director of consumer sales and marketing at St. Francis Winery & Vineyards. \u201cBeing curious \u2014 especially about what matters to someone else \u2014 is what turns small talk into something more meaningful.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n To keep things light, Gen Z (67%) and Gen X (75%) will gladly keep conversation flowing about their hobbies (67%). Millennials also enjoy chatting about travel plans and their pets or animals (76% each) alongside baby boomers (64%).\u00a0<\/p>\n Even when conversations get a little bumpy, many agree\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0worth it. Six in 10 said the awkward moments often lead to a deeper understanding of the person across from them.\u00a0<\/p>\n Nearly two-thirds\u00a0of those surveyed said they learn more about loved ones during the holidays than any other time of year (63%) \u2014 with 78% agreeing those conversations are even better over a shared meal.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Research\u00a0methodology:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans 21+ who drink wine who have access to the internet;\u00a0<\/strong>the survey\u00a0was commissioned by\u00a0St. Francis Winery<\/strong>\u00a0and administered\u00a0and conducted online by Talker Research between\u00a0Oct. 21 and Oct. 27\u00a02025.<\/strong>\u00a0A link to the questionnaire can be found\u00a0here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\nGenerations Navigating Awkward Holiday Talks<\/b><\/h2>\n
Hobbies, Travel, & Pets Keep All Generations Talking<\/strong><\/h2>\n
WHAT IS THE ONE QUESTION YOU DON\u2019T WANT TO BE ASKED THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
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WHAT AMERICANS DON\u2019T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
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