I’m a fast eater. It’s one of my worst habits. It requires a great deal of concentration on my part to not just obliterate my meal. So much so that I can’t really think about anything else simultaneously. Forget having a conversation, I’m trying to be intentional here! Fork up, fork down, all the while I’m just hearing Peanuts-style wah wahs. In order to be the charming dinner companion I know in my heart I can be, I’ve had to troubleshoot the issue over the years. I realized that I need an actual physical reason to slow down. You might be thinking, like those special dog bowls? Rude but, yes, kind of.
Play a game! That’s the ticket! Nothing too complicated or onerous, the sweet spot is one that sits comfortably in the background. It should allow casual conversation and the occasional bite of food. All of the sudden, I’m a charm school graduate.
Here are some of my favorite dinnertime game options —
Cards
I’m very envious of people that have the rules to dozens of card games ready to go in their heads. That’s not me! I think I know three? But! When you know a card game well, it becomes muscle memory. Which is exactly what you want in this situation. My personal preference is gin rummy. The elegance of a set. The drama of a run. It’s all there.
Backgammon
Thomas taught me backgammon early on in lockdown and it has brought me so much joy these past few years. Look at me using math in my everyday life! The trick to the game is rolling doubles as much as possible. You heard it here first.
Chess
I play chess the way I play poker, with no discernible strategy or plan. It’s more of a vibes thing. That’s crucial in this case. A well played game of chess doesn’t really fit this brief. Too much brain power is necessary. But a silly game of chess (™) is just right. What’s your favorite piece? I love the bishop. So sleek and sneaky. Sleaky.
No matter what, I wish you all a perfectly, devastatingly languid dinner tonight. Soak it all in. Savor every bite.
<3