Is it bad to talk at the dinner table is it bad manners or does it help you digest your food?

Talking and socializing at the dinner table were important aspects of our family lives years ago. It is a great way to be sociable when out eating with friends and family. The Old Latin root Word 'company', for the Word 'companion', meant to 'break bread with another'. 'Breaking bread' means to eat.

The act of talking while dining does nothing I know of in itself, to aid in digestion, aside from slowing your food intake down. Slowing your food intake down and taking smaller bites of food, will help with your digestion though. You are less likely to choke or overeat too, when you are taking occasional momentary breaks in your dining to enjoy the company of those dining with you. The only time it is rude, is if you are speaking with a mouth full of food that everyone can see, if you are gossiping, if you are saying something offensive to someone, or if you are interrupting others as they are speaking.

My clients are always amazed how much less they eat while training with me, as they are conversing with me in between bites of food and find themselves feeling full. I always heard that the stomach "sends a message to the brain" after about 20 minutes that one has eaten. That possibly has something to do with eating less and feeling full.