What to Say at Dinner

I had dinner last night with one of my best friends who comes to NYC a lot for work.  Lucky me!  A few years ago she mentioned to me that when she has dinner plans with people, she spends a few minutes before she gets there coming up with a few conversation topics for the table, or specific questions she wants to ask her fellow diner(s).  It struck me as such a simple but super thoughtful thing to do.  What better way to make sure you’re really making the most of the time you have with the people you’re with?