Stone Soup by Jan Eliot for November 17, 2009

If I did anything as inconsiderate as even brining a cell to the table, I’d get my ears pinned back. And I’m 30.

I think after a certain age that people have earned the right to do as they please as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone. Having said that, she is being a terrible example for Holly and should at least wait until after a meal.

I guess I’m just old fashioned but I think people should come to the family dinner table to eat and reconnect after the day.

I agree. And who is it that taught Val manners in the first place? Now she is violating her own rules.

I third the motion. Surely the family can stand to be together for 20 minutes or so a day. And Tweeting? Sorry, I just don’t get the appeal.

Remember when our parents taught us not to phone anyone at mealtime (ours or theirs)? Opps, dated myself again

Where’s Alix?

I have seen people that will not put the cell phone down long enough to go through the check-out line @ the store. Ugh. I will not own one.

I guess grandma is learning to text her friend about the forthcoming trip. Gocomics is the only texting I do. I tried twitting and could not get much of it kept going to GMA.

Oddly enough it was the kids who objected. Their father always brought the newspaper or newsmagazine to the table and read throughout the meal. They wanted to talk about their day, he wanted to read. Now they’re grown, and if he wants to talk with them he has to take them out to dinner. Revenge?? :y

yeah, i was homeschooled and we could read during lunch, but supper time was family time. no books, music, etc. now we’re lucky if we all sit down for supper together more than once a week!

Reading at the table never kept my family from interacting in conversation. In fact, what we were reading might spark a new and interesting discussion.

Texting, however, is different, IMO. It is connecting you to someone else not physically present and thus disconnecting you from those who are present.

How can one eat & text at the same time? Unless they drink everything through a straw, or eat like an animal, I think it would be quite difficult. Our rule is if the whole family (all 4) are present (or the rare company) for a meal, then no reading at the table, unless reading aloud to everyone. (Reading is the only thing any of us care to do at mealtime besides eating.) Meals with only part of the family, reading is permitted. My husband has a hearing loss which prevents him from hearing while chewing. But at least the rest of us can have an interesting conversation.

Family meal time is one of the most important times of the day, next to tucking kids into bed and letting them tell you about their day.

I really miss our huge 12 person table and the conversations we used to have. Mom, Dad, all 8 of us kids and what ever dinner guests that happened by.

For years, I tucked my son in and we talked about his day. At 25 he still calls with important details about how life is going. Now days,I tuck in bonus grand kids and they tell me about their day.

We were never allowed phone or TV during dinner. We never called another house during dinner time and we never called after 9pm.

I still hesitate calling after 9pm unless I know for sure the person is still up. I also do not call until 10am in the morning.