Really Good Supper Table Topics

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Posted by Theresa111 • 9/02/10
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What are some of the ways you as the parent, dinner host or hostess, introduce as proper conversation topics?

With all of the negative things going on in today's world, there is the ever-increasing presence of wars, arguments, financial deceits, political combats, religious conflicts and local crimes. How do you help keep the conversations on a peaceful platform?

For you who have children, I think this could be an excellent time to provide instructions for living within the family structure. Eating together has proven to keep children more, than less, from getting into difficulties. What are some of the things you discuss at your dinner table, and what are some of the subjects you try to avoid, at all cost?

Family Gatherings, Parental Instructions, Proper Dinner Conversation

Discussion Replies

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sugarpies (9/03/10)

The arts are always a good topic to keep things from getting heated. Depending on whom we're having as guests it might range from Michael's preferred topics of classical music and composition to my preferred topics of books, movies and theater. Regardless, it's a safe topic because differences of opinion don't get too heated. Besides, when dining with artists it can lead to some fascinating insights and even collaboration.

I should also say that I try to never dine with people whose opinions are formed solely from what they regurgitate from talk radio, a politician, or cable personalities. To be a preferred dinner companion for me, you must be well read, historically literate, and capable of more than pop-culture or pop-politics doggerel.

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  Theresa111 (9/03/10)
  
  I am in accord with you Buck. Genteel topics, travel, food, wines, parties, holidays, recreational sports ... these are just as safe as music and art and plays and movies. In fact, there is so much to talk about ... books, etc., that there is a superabundance of good subjects from which to choose. Nothing more uncomfortable than having to digest hot topics.
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Theresa111 (9/07/10)

Five questions for discussion:

1) What are you planning for the weekend?
2) What did you learn today?
3) Who's day did you brighten?
4) Where would you like to travel, within a 50 miles radius?
5) What can I do to help you? (homework, science project, play rehearsals, sharing, just talking)

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Theresa111 (9/10/10)

Oprah Winfrey would be an excellent topic for dinner conversation. Trying to name just fifty of the cool things she has done will hold the talk all the way through dessert.

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  Theresa111 (9/11/10)
  
  I posted this today
  
  www.blogcatalog.com/community/im-stoked-for-oprah/
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LadyGourmet (9/11/10)

There is almost nothing that is off the table for conversation. I would rather discuss these topics with my kids and see where they come down on the topics. I like my kids to be well aware of what is going on in the world. We have some great conversations on all topics.

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  Theresa111 (9/11/10)
  
  I am positive you are well versed in guiding your children. You are such a wonderful lady and they must hang on your every word. Well ... they're teens so not every word. But you are smart to keep the topics open for discussion.
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  LadyGourmet (9/13/10)
  
  Thank you Theresa for your kind words, they are encouragement to me. I simply like to know what they are thinking and where they stand on topics. We don't always agree, but at least they can think about a different view. I pray so that the Dear Lord inspires and guides them and myself as a mom.
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  LadyGourmet (9/13/10)
  
  That is a main reason why I always have dinner ready each and every night, so we can talk.
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  Theresa111 (9/13/10)
  
  Catherine ... You Are The Bestest!!!!!
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sugarpies (9/12/10)

Well, we don't have kids and rarely dine with them except on holidays with extended family... so we tend to keep conversation in neutral territory most of the time. One of my favorite topics since moving to Arizona where we meet lots of people from different parts of the country is regional culture and hometowns. It's fascinating how different parts of the country (or world) are and also how similar.

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  Theresa111 (9/12/10)
  
  I agree. I live in the metro area of Wash., DC, and there are literally hundreds of places I have never seen nor visited all the different counties.
  
  We went to see the (George Clooney), movie "The American", last night. It is set in Italy, very remote, not the parts of Italy I want to visit, but there is so much Empty Space. Unused space. This is a really big planet but I think for the most part, a lot of people congregate in regions along the perimeters of the continents. Uh my point being no matter how well travelled one might be there will always be something else to explore ... so dinner conversation is endless. (Wow did I go a bit off-track!)
  
  * I am a huge George Clooney fan, but I wouldn't want to sit through this movie again. I am not discouraging anyone but I can easily admit it is very slow paced.
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chinagal9 (9/14/10)

Having sons (who know sports stats) I learned about college & pro sports teams/players real quick. My husband & I cheer on opposing fav baseball teams. The conversations go on & on and then the next sports season starts while the playoffs are on.

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  Theresa111 (9/20/10)
  
  They must be excited their parents really enjoy sports topics.
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  chinagal9 (9/23/10)
  
  Well, Theresa, it was so very helpful for communication when they were adolescents that sports became topics of interest to me. They & their friends were accustomed to my hubby & I participating in sports discussions. We still do. Many good meals were/are shared discussing football/basketball plays.
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Theresa111 (9/20/10)

We always enjoyed it when Daddy would talk to us about geography and the different peoples and customs around the world. We could listen to him for hours.

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Theresa111 (9/24/10)

The fall TV line up, with all of the sitcoms would be fun to discuss, too.

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Theresa111 (9/26/10)

The whole UFO issue. Have you ever seen one?

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Theresa111 (9/26/10)

Have you ever been to Mount Rushmore and seen the presidential sculptures?

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Theresa111 (9/26/10)

It's good to not discuss family conflicting discussions while eating. These matters can be talked out after the meal is over.

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Theresa111 (9/27/10)

Hell's Kitchen Season Eight ... Wow!

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Theresa111 (10/07/10)

Homecoming Dance and Halloween Costumes.

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  chinagal9 (10/11/10)
  
  Halloween Costumes is a great discussion at this time of year!
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  Theresa111 (10/16/10)
  
  They are. I have seen some very classy costume commercials this season.
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Theresa111 (10/16/10)

Home improvements and freshening up the home, like kids bedrooms, the yard, since those leaves will be falling from the trees soon. Chores around the house you can do together. Cleaning out dresser drawers and closets and bringing out the warmer clothing.

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urbanideas (10/20/10)

Love this topic. Well at our home the first thing we do is thumbs up or down. Meaning if we have news we put our thumbs up, if not news thumbs down. Usually goes from youngest to oldest.We go through the news then we discuss everything else that comes uo in the news, at school, work etc. There are no boundaries, we talk about everything. Even if we have friends, family over that is what we do.

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  Theresa111 (10/20/10)
  
  Family table talk. Sounds as if you stay involved and everyone benefits, too.
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Theresa111 (10/21/10)

Listing a few things that make us happy and how these things impact our lives.

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Theresa111 (10/30/10)

Halloween costumes, etiquette, manners and safety.

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Theresa111 (11/08/10)

Who's going to cook on Thanksgiving Day? Do you each have certain dishes delegated so everyone can help?

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Belle (1/08/11)

When I dine with my friends we love to discuss different wines, places to eat in Portland, and whatever new is going on in our city. We visited the Chinese Gardens a few weeks back and the beauty was something I took home with me long after we left.

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  Theresa111 (1/08/11)
  
  Nothing like good food, wine and friends!
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ThomasMorris (1/11/11)

Unfortunately, Uncle Thomas doesn't have any children of his own, so he doesn't know how to talk to them...he has found, however, that treating them like smaller versions of adults seems to work OK.

As for adult topics, he has found that people love to talk about their most recent vacation.

He has also found that if you don't have children, people will ask "why?" That can be a bad topic if (i) you're like a friend of ours who is trying desperately but can't or (ii) you're like us, and just don't want them (if you can't understand that sentiment, then it's almost as fun as arguing politics...)

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  Theresa111 (1/12/11)
  
  What are some of the topics of conversation you like to have at dinner?
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  ThomasMorris (1/12/11)
  
  Vacations (already mentioned), cooking, recreational sports we all participate in (cycling, rowing, sailing).
  
  Not politics, not religion.
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  Theresa111 (1/12/11)
  
  I haven't been on a vacation in over 3.5 years. Wow. You could tell us about some of your exploits, too.
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Theresa111 (1/20/11)

Geography would be a good one. My sense of where countries are placed is terrible, bordering on horrible. My husband asked me the other evening if I ever took this subject in school. I admitted I might have been staring at a boy when the teacher was talking. So now we are going to have mini-georgaphy lessons with our meals. I suppose I could look all dewy-eyed at him while he talks.

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  urbanideas (1/20/11)
  
  Funny you brought that up. We have a game I played when younger and now I get my tween to do it. One says a country and the other says the capital of that country. Whomever guesses it can choose next country and so on. We also do it with States of the US and their capitals
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  Theresa111 (1/21/11)
  
  What a good idea. I'll consider making Que. cards.
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  LadyGourmet (1/21/11)
  
  I haven't been on vacation in too many years.....many....so many! You may think that this is silly, but I make a dinner of whatever country I may have in mind...find the music...and vuala! I'm there! I love to talk about different places with my kids.
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  Theresa111 (1/21/11)
  
  You are very creative! I have got to visit you!
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  urbanideas (1/21/11)
  
  Love that idea Catherine!
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  Theresa111 (1/22/11)
  
  Sofia! I found one of those maps of the United States, which are sent by National Geographic. I can use it to study beforehand. Yay!
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LadyGourmet (1/21/11)

Hello Theresa! How are you?

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  Theresa111 (1/21/11)
  
  Good Catherine and yourself? Are you to receive more snow by tomorrow? We are only to get a little, so they say. What are you cooking?
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  LadyGourmet (1/21/11)
  
  I am doing fine. We didn't get that much here this morning. I really have no idea what I am going to cook today. I just think I am going to use everything up and start fresh.