Big Dog,
I agree - I think it's a healthy thing to do in most circumstances. For me while growing up, eating dinner together was a very stressful event. My parents always hounded me on what I wasn't doing, what I wasn't being...they spent a lot of time arguing. It was basically the time to be critical of one another and duke it out. My husband on the other hand grew up in a household where that was the one time during the day where criticizing wasn't allowed. You could share your heart and mind and not worry about getting in trouble for it. Thus it opened up the kids to share what they needed to mom and dad. Thus, to this day, all three kids in his family are very close to their parents. (My hubby comes from one of those families that I always envied growing up!) It's the type of atmosphere I hope to give my child someday.
Realizing I might step on some toes here...
I think too many people think the "uncomfortableness" or "boringness" of eating dinner together, could be doing themselves and their families a disservice. If it's uncomfortable, get over it. Good things aren't always comfortable. But they become comfortable in time with practice. If it's boring, perhaps it's because the common ground isn't established to become interesting. How is that fixed by continuing to not talk? This is purely my opinion and...
...just food for thought...
Andi *ducking*