The loss of trust began in the early 2000s when scandals like Enron and WorldCom became dinner table conversation.

FORBES: Now For A Taste Of Some Austrian Economics

Is self-esteem a dinner-table conversation or a government issue?

FORBES: Proposed Legislation: Warning Labels On Photoshopped Ads?

Guests seated next to each other should have something in common, whether it is a hobby or home state, to spark conversation at the beginning. (Ms. Fierro typically introduces seatmates to each other at casual cocktails before dinner.) While she says she enjoys intellectual conversation at the table, she's wary of heated debates.

WSJ: For a Lively Dinner, Bring a Power Seating Plan to the Table

With this in mind, we requested a table for eight, which hopefully would allow sufficient opportunities for interesting dinner conversation.

FORBES: A Cruise Specialist's "Bucket List" Cruise