If you are looking to replace a table in your home, and you are also the kind of person who really enjoys talking to family and friends, you may want to take a little more care in choosing the shape of the table that you are going to buy.

Have you ever considered what the shape of a table says to you? We're not talking about saying its square or circular, but what, subconsciously the shape of the table does to you? If not, don't worry you are not alone. Most people don't really pay any more attention to their tables than to think 'hey I like that round table', or 'that square table is really nice.' But unbeknownst to you the shape of that table is saying something else in your head.

You see, we respond to shapes whether we know it or not. And in this case, how comfortable we are being open and conversational can be directly impacted by the table that we are sitting at.

For the most part, a round table is the way to go for conversation. There may be a couple of reasons for this.

First, a round table allows everyone to be equal. Think about it. No matter where you are sitting at a round table your seat is just as good as the guy next to you or the person across the table. There is no head of the table; there is no 'side middle seat'. Everyone is the same and treated the same sitting at this type of table.

Many think that feeling of equality may have something to do with the fact that people are more conversational at a round table. Instead of feeling like they are 'off to the side' or are in a 'less important position' at the table, they mentally know they are just as good as everyone else at the table and are willing to be just as much a part of the conversation.

Another possible impact that a round table has on conversation is in helping the flow of conversation. Many eastern philosophies will tell you that corners and sharp edges while they may be made of wood on a table can cut the energy in the air just like a knife. In conversation this means that those edges may make someone feel that they are cut off from the conversation or are at a disadvantage because of their position at the table. Many people will never get into this kind of conversation because on some level they feel they will have to 'cut' their way into the conversation and this may be uncomfortable.

On the other hand, a round table allows the energy and conversation to flow around and around, never stopping. This makes it much easier to be a part of the ongoing flow of conversation. The flow is already encompassing them and they are automatically a part of it so it is less uncomfortable to jump in and enjoy it.