Why Curlers Make the Best Dinner Guests (and Maybe the Worst at Saying Goodbye)
When you’re putting together your Thanksgiving guest list, you might think first of family, neighbors, or that one friend who can make a mean pecan pie. But if you really want a memorable evening — the kind that ends with belly laughs, heartfelt toasts, and someone sweeping crumbs off the table with a broom for comedic effect — invite a curler.
Curlers aren’t just masters of the ice; they’re also the unsung heroes of every dinner table. From funny curling stories to an uncanny ability to keep spirits high (and glasses full), curlers bring a special energy that turns any meal into an event worth remembering.
1. Curlers Know How to Bring the Good Vibes
Let’s be honest — curling culture is built around sportsmanship, laughter, and community. You spend hours on cold arena ice yelling “Hurry hard!” at your friends and somehow end the night hugging those same people over a pitcher of beer. That kind of camaraderie naturally carries over to dinner parties.
Curlers are the people who show up with a smile, compliment the host, and immediately ask, “What can I do to help?” (and yes, they’ll probably offer to sweep). They’re the first to laugh at themselves and the last to leave without helping clean up.
If you love this sense of curling camaraderie, check out our post “Our Guide to Bonspiel Survival” — it’s all about how the sport builds community both on and off the ice.
2. They Bring the Good Stuff (and Usually Beer)
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that curlers never arrive empty-handed. Whether it’s a six-pack from a local brewery or a homemade appetizer shaped like a curling stone (we’ve seen it, and yes, it was glorious), curlers know that good company deserves good food and drink.
And when the night winds down, there’s always one person insisting, “You can’t leave yet, I’ve got a great bonspiel story!” — and that person is, inevitably, the curler.
Need inspiration for what to wear to your next potluck or Friendsgiving? We’ve got you covered with the perfect curling shirts that double as conversation starters. Nothing says “I came to party (and peel potatoes)” like a shirt that reads Skip Happens or Hurry Hard, Pour Harder.
3. Curlers Have Endless Stories (and Half of Them Are True)
Every curler has at least one legendary bonspiel tale — and like fish stories, they get better with every retelling. There’s the time someone delivered a perfect takeout shot with a borrowed broom, or when an entire team forgot their sliders and curled in socks.
The beauty of curling humor is that it’s self-deprecating and communal. Curlers laugh with each other, never at each other. So when they’re around your dinner table, expect a steady stream of good-natured ribbing, wild travel stories, and maybe a passionate debate over whether a rock really curled that much.
4. Curlers Know How to Handle Awkward Moments
Ever had a tense Thanksgiving dinner when the conversation got… politically slippery? That’s when a curler shines. They’re trained to handle high-pressure situations with grace.
Missed a shot? You say “Good try.”
Burned a rock? You own it and move on.
Someone brought up pineapple on ham? You pour another drink and change the subject to the 2026 Olympic curling schedule.
Curlers are pros at keeping the peace, finding common ground, and diffusing tension with humor — skills that make them not only great teammates but also elite dinner guests.
If you want to see where that positivity comes from, our article “Arena Ice vs. Dedicated Ice – The Eternal Debate (That No Curler Will Ever Win)” dives into how curlers thrive even when conditions (and opinions) get bumpy.
5. They Have the Best Toasts
Curlers live for post-game drinks — and that means they’ve perfected the art of the toast. Whether it’s raising a glass “to good ice and better friends” or telling a heartfelt story about their first bonspiel, curlers know how to celebrate both victory and defeat with warmth.
Expect spontaneous speeches, big laughs, and maybe a group chant of “Good curling!” before dessert.
If you’ve ever curled, you know there’s no better feeling than that shared moment of joy — the same one that happens when you pass the mashed potatoes and someone says, “Remember that time we stole four in the eighth end?”
6. Curlers Appreciate Every Invite (Because Ice Time Is Hard to Get)
Arena curlers, especially, understand the value of limited opportunities. Ice time is precious, bonspiel weekends are rare, and invitations to both are treated like gold.
So when you invite a curler to dinner, they’ll show up — on time, grateful, and ready to contribute. They’ll treat your dinner party like league night: with respect, enthusiasm, and a slight chance of friendly competition (beware of impromptu pumpkin pie sweepstakes).
7. The Bonus Reason: Curlers Always Say Thank You
Curlers are raised in a culture of gratitude. After every game, win or lose, you shake hands, look your opponent in the eye, and say, “Good game.” That spirit doesn’t stop at the rink door.
After dinner, you’ll get a heartfelt thank-you, maybe a follow-up text, and quite possibly an invitation to curl next week. Because for curlers, community never ends when the buzzer sounds — it just moves to the next gathering.
So, This Thanksgiving…
If you’re lucky enough to have a curler at your table, raise your glass to them. They’ll keep the laughs rolling, the stories flowing, and the night one to remember.
And if you want to look the part of a world-class dinner guest yourself, check out our curling team merch collection — full of cozy hoodies, bonspiel-ready shirts, and gifts that’ll have your friends saying, “Where did you get that?”
Because whether it’s on the ice or at the table, curlers know how to sweep people off their feet.
Happy Thanksgiving, and as always — good curling.