There’s nothing more entertaining than a traditional family gathering (when we could) and having the entire extended relatives pack into a small space to get riled up.

While endless plates of food get passed along, each with their own unique scent and salivating qualities, beverages are poured and the conversation escalates to levels that put rock concerts to shame.

Then, of course, there’s always that one relative that everyone gets nervous about as they start their path of inebriation. Sure enough, they don’t disappoint and everyone politely smiles while waiting for the moment when they are taken home.

And yet, trying to get a word into any conversation is akin to merging onto a major highway. If there’s a thought percolating in the mind, you rev up and accelerate to beyond highway speeds just to merge safely. If you’re loud enough, there’s a chance you will be heard or carry the conversation in a different direction.

We fear silence in those situations because your chance to get into the conversation is over. Or we use silence to stay out of it.

While enjoyable and memorable, these are rarely the ground-breaking conversations that move society forward. It’s endless shouts of gossip and emotional fervor sparked by the combination of food and beverages. No one leaves that room thinking differently.

And yet, this is the conversation we commit to on social media every day.

Maybe we should find other ways to listen to each other.