Well, if no one was in a fight, it probably means they really liked the salad :-)

If I ever heard silence at a family gathering, there's a 99% chance I'd look over and see that someone was having a heart attack. That's the only circumstance where I can imagine silence :-P

Everyone was hungry. The salad was good.

Did they start talking again at some point? LOL

So yeah, I guess my answer is, it's only weird if they don't start up again. An occasional few minutes of silence is probably not that unusual, especially when everyone's got full mouths.

Thanks Jessica and May. I didn't think anyone was starving, as there had been quite a bit of time devoted to the cheese/crackers/apples course. In fact, one guest didn't want us to take it away! I thought the salad was nice, with a crisp, cold texture and garlicky bc dressing. I guess I did note they ate it all...maybe salad simply isn't exciting enough to comment about, even if the texture was good. Ah well.

Linda's Blue Cheese dressing can stop me from talking, I love that stuff. Mind you I would probably be making low murmuring yummers sounds.

Chase, your comment is well noted. (I agree with you completely!) What I think I've decided is that some people just eat...and other people appreciate what they're eating. One person I know always comments how stuffed they are (once they've eaten everything in sight), which I suppose is their equivalent to commenting on the food. After all,they ate it didn't they? It doesn't however, make me want to feed them again any time soon!

Depends on whether forks were still moving or not.
If they were, it's safe to assume they were applouding with their tongues. :) Or, as a friend once said about something he was eating, "Would you interrupt a Mozart concerto to ask the audience if it's OK?" LOL!

I searched in vain for Linda's Blue Cheese Dressing. No luck. Would you post the recipe, please? and thank you. Tomatobob

Sure TB, it's in the thread below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Linda's Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe

Its the twenty minute lull - didn't you ever hear of it? Its even in the Urban Dictionary - but I've never had an occasion to look it up before. Here's what they say about it...........

The phase in any conversation, usually occurring every 20 minutes or so, where the conversation gets quiet and no one really knows what to say. This is the point in the conversation where everyone involved will be desperately fishing for topics and might take up talking about the weather.

Woodie, I learn something new every day. Thank You!

Did they comment on the other courses?

Yeah liked that happened when we are all together Woodie.....both times!

Yes, May; I think everybody liked something different. We did get a call from one guest on his way home thanking us for the delicious meal, which was unexpected but very nice. It's probably just me, but I thought for salad, the cold crunch was very good, and probably one of my own favorite courses, after the heaviness of the Thanksgiving holiday. Another guest liked the dessert, which I had taken to her home in the past, even though there was no comment at that time. It just seemed a little weird in the moment, but now I'll just attribute it to the 20 minute lull!

Gotcha! Now I understand your question. I always try to make it a point to compliment the host(ess) early in the meal and again later. But I know that not everyone does that.

One person I know always comments how stuffed they are (once they've eaten everything in sight), which I suppose is their equivalent to commenting on the food. After all,they ate it didn't they? It doesn't however, make me want to feed them again any time soon!
I had to laugh at that! I know just what you mean. When I knock myself out cooking for folks, I like acknowledgement of that, which is why I try to do the same when I'm the guest. It's not nice to just stuff your face and not say how good it is.

So... I think attributing it to the natural lull is maybe a nice way to look at it.

Well, there is the companionable silence which is quite pleasant, as it means people are comfortable with one another and relaxed. Then there is the, someone just made an unfortunate political/religious/gossipy comment that everyone is trying to ignore, silence. And most horrible, the armed silence that occurs when an undercurrent of hostility runs 'round the table.

As for compliments, if people eat up heartily, I am complimented. Particularly once they've devoured a fair number of hors d'ouevres and aren't hungry enough any more to eat anything whether it's good or not (sounds like the situation with the salad-must have been good!)

Actually, I get a bit uncomfortable with too many or too effusive compliments. I mean, I know I'm a decent cook, and I just watched you clean your plate and take seconds, I don't want you to feel like you have to gush. Is that weird?

I really do think in some families "I'm stuffed" is sort of a compliment at the table, even if it's a caveman-sounding one. But I probably wouldn't be in too much of a hurry either. Some people more fun to feed than others, and some people are just. . . not gracious. . .

I feel the same rachelellen-- I don't want to spend all night talking about the food, but if it's a new dish I need a little reassurance.

No, rachelellen, not weird at all. I don't want to hear people gush either. I know I do try to say something nice to the person who prepared it though, even if I can't compliment their food!

Jessica, I think you're right about that. It's a little odd to me, but then I'm not really accustomed to it as I try NOT to stuff myself. Eating until I'm full isn't a goal for me. I'd rather eat again in a couple of hours because I'm hungry, rather than wishing I was wearing an elastic waistband and feeling like a slug!