Technology at the dinner table? How else would we check the facts?

We allow phones at our dinner table.

I know that’s counterintuitive coming from someone who 14 years ago, declared, ”When we are empty-nesters, we'll still have dinner table conversation.” At the time, I wasn’t worried about phones. It was magazines.

Now a phone comes out almost every evening at our dinner table, for a purpose.

My son is the only one of us working out of the house full-time. My husband and I are out occasionally. If I’ve had a new experience, I share it. (That’s the educator in me.) If they relate an experience, I ask questions. (Did I mention I’m an educator?)

Here are some conversation snippets:

"At the antique store, I found an LP of a band with Elton John and Rod Stewart in the band."

"Really? Long John Baldry? Do you know his most famous song?" Out comes the phone to enhance the conversation.

My son brings up the most interesting topics. He works at UPS as a responder. In case you are wondering, he gets called to clean up the messes. There are a lot of messes: motor oil, detergent, acid, deer urine. The list is long.

"I had to clean up Mexican Rum today."

"They make rum in Mexico? What was the brand?" Out comes the phone.

We have many interesting conversations.

Chances are, we each have a different perspective about any given topic. I don’t mind asking questions to keep the conversation going. I may be guilty of playing dumb on occasion. (As an educator. I know if I ask the right question, someone will answer.)

Technology at the dinner table? How else would we check the facts?