Your responsibility as a dinner guest in someone's home is not just to show up and eat the food. Your responsibility is to be a charming guest and keep up the conversation at the table...not the texting conversation under the table.  Scan newspapers and online news the day of the dinner party, to be up on current events.

Not sure what to say? The best conversationalists are listeners. Ask questions of the others. If someone is not talking, invite him or her into the conversation with a question.  Change topics to make others feel included.

What topics should you avoid?  Some say, "religion and politics." If you subscribe to that, you may miss out on some lively and interesting discussions.  It is better to avoid discussing your diet, invasive surgery, bathroom humor and playing, "I can top that story."

Today's etiquette tip is brought to you by Culture and Manners Institute.