Immigration is expected to be one of the topics on the table when U.S. President Barack Obama travels to Mexico this week.

CNN: Mexico: Traffickers abandoning immigrants at sea

The success or failure of the two campaigns' attempts to remove these topics from the table could speak volumes this fall on how far the nation has come on divisive race and religion-based debates in the political sphere, political experts say.

CNN: SHARE THIS

What all those amazing meals had in common were the topics of conversation around the table.

FORBES: Food Is My Job!

This holiday movie season brings a variety of eccentric and controversial themes to the multiplex and, with it, some tricky topics to the holiday dinner table.

NPR: A Family Challenge at the Multiplex

Mr. Zimmern, a self-confessed "voracious reader" of three to four newspapers, says being able to jump in with opinions on newsy topics will help you engage with others at the table.

WSJ: The Perfect Guest at a Dinner Party

There are a few topics that one should avoid around both the dinner table and the water cooler, says Charles Purdy, senior editor of job site Monster.com and author of Urban Etiquette.

FORBES: What Not To Say At Work