comment: >
  
  Agreed. I like to engage with those I only see so often. But basically being forced to stay? Fuck that. I'll come back if I like. I won't check my phone at the table, but give me a break to check it, or smoke or take a shit
context: Your family' forcing you to stay sitting even when you have to shit? >
  
  For many people, shitting while standing is a problem. >
  
  You would like my family. We never really did the formal thing. >
  
  everyone stays at the table? My extended family just wander everywhere unless they're drinking. >
  
  Same, but I have been to dinner where everyone sits. >
  
  Why do so many people on Reddit have problems setting boundaries? Just get the fuck up, no one is going to physically stop you. >
  
  Seriously. 
  I'm a 28 year old adult.  I have a job.  I own a home.  I have a life and hobbies. 
  No one is going to "force" me to sit at the table after I'm done.  I'm not a child. 
  I know staying to chat is a social norm and a societal thing, but anyone who's ever been around me knows it isn't my thing. 
  I've never even had someone bad an eye when I've gotten up from the table to get some space. 
  On the rare occasion, I've had someone who doesn't know ask if I was okay, but it was out of concern, because getting up and leaving like that isn't normal, but I get that and I appreciate the misplaced concern. >
  
  Literally all you have to do is say "Hey I'm gonna head out, nice to see everyone!"
  People who are passive like OP piss me off. >
  
  My dad did what youre saying, he would just get up and head into the kitchen or whatever at family events, still 'in the room' but not at the table. We didnt have family dinners outside of holidays so we never had that etiquitte really, but I can KIND OF see how if theres some event and a dude comes over for food and he sits down, eats and then after a bit goes, 'alright well Im bored, I think Ill dip, nice to see you thanks for lunch!' would be pretty offensive. 
  I know you mean to say have some tact, but you made me realize why that 'social rule' exists in the first place. >
  
  That's the thing though, it shouldn't be taken as offensive. Just because someone has cooked another person a meal doesn't mean they should be obliged to stay if they don't want to. That person may very well be happy to reciprocate the gesture by cooking for them but they may be an introvert and not really like socialising for any length of time.
  If someone gets offended because of that, they're not worth being friends with. >
  
  The thing is if you come over someone’s house just to eat and then immediately leave when you’re done eating, it makes it seem like you didn’t care about their company at all and was just in it for the food, which is rude and disrespectful. 
  It’s just social etiquette to stay a little while to show appreciation for the hosts. >
  
  You would like my family. We never really did  the formal thing. We just get the food buffet style, sit where we want, eat, and then go about our business or play games or go for a walk. No awkward small talks. >
  
  Who is forcing you to stay? Just get up and go. Say you need to stretch your legs, are too hot, got to have a shit, whatever. I don't get this one. >
  
  I think OP is a literal child, between 12 to 15.
  EDIT:
  
  But my comment was not that I have to stay. It was more a comment about how I am of the opinion that when everyone is done with their meal, that people should move on to cleaning/using the restroom/stretch your legs/continuing the conversation elsewhere.
  That's it. It has nothing to do with being a child vs. adult.
  
  Maybe not? Confused now. Still sounds like a kid trying to preach to adults. >
  
  Ah, ok. In that case, OP, ask your parents if you can leave the table. Or offer to start clearing up. And then you'll just have to do what they say. >
  
  An hour is my limit.  I'm happy to engage in small talk for that amount of time, but at some point it's enough.  And sitting at the table isn't even comfortable. >
  
  An hour? That's not even a business lunch here. More like 4-6 hours of family meal over here. But you don't sit the whole time (e.g. dance, small walk, form different groups in different areas of the house, etc.). People are only really together when making a speech/toast. Otherwise everybody's all over the place.
  Also, family Christmas dinner is like 90-120 people, so you're never bored. >
  
  My hour meant an hour in addition to the time at the table to eat and the inevitable time before that.  At a family meal, of course it ends up being lengthy, so my hour means the time from the last bite of dessert.  
  Keep in mind that it's not really about boredom or not.  Some people don't want that amount of stimulation and want some quiet time or to switch to another activity. >
  
  That’s what most people are missing it seems. In OP’s case it was 2 hours after the meal. >
  
  indeed >
  
  You're doing it wrong. There is nothing wrong with standing up and saying "if y'all will excuse me,  I've got to stretch my legs",  "... the game is starting", ". .. I promised Suzy a phone call". Or just full stop.  No reason to linger if the conversation is not delighting you.  It would be good to offer to take a few plates to the kitchen. >
  
  alcohol fix >
  
  Just go to the bathroom no one would mind it's normal >
  
  Agreed. We have some family members (my in laws) that are consistently late, well yesterday we gave up and started eating. Of course, an hour in, as we were finishing our mains (and obligatory talking) and making the transition to dessert, they stroll in, no rush in their step, no apologies. Some fam went through the whole thing again with them- explaining the food options, helping serve, asking about day, etc. I was raised with strict manners so at first thought I should stay and visit, but it quickly shifted to, I’ve done my part, I’m sick of sitting on this hardwood chair, quickly ate my dessert, then chilled in living room while they finished their 2nd dinner. No regrets. (Oh and husband and SIL had same thoughts and joined) >
  
  Do you need help from an adult or something? Go and take a shit. >
  
  Assert your dominance, shit your pants & tell them it's their fault I had to keep up with a conversation about how weird the numbering of the interstates are >
  
  OP, if you’re a child, then just ask mom if you can get up. It’s probably fine. OP if you’re an adult then just get up. >
  
  So someone spent 2 days preparing a meal, but your inconvenienced to be away from your phone for 30 minutes? Nice >
  
  Seriously, older parents probably spent a week. Planning, buying ingredients, prepping the ingredients, setting the table, decorating the house , buying presents etc just so they have a chance to see and hang out with their kids for a few hours because they aren’t sure if they’ll be around to do it again the next year.
  Least I can do is to sit my butt down and entertain them a bit. I’ve sat down through boring movies to entertain dates for the chance of getting some. I’ve spent hours in boring conferences with bosses and co-workers I dont necessarily like. Least I can do is do the same for my aging parents.
  If I need to take a shit or need to walk around for a while I’ll just excuse myself and go back when I’m done. I don’t see how hard that is >
  
  It's not really an unpopular opinion. Lots of people are annoyed but won't say anything out of courtesy. >
  
  i hate holiday gatherings in general. i love my family but we dont share interests and ever since i was a kid i just sit their silently.  id be fine giving them hugs and then leaving >
  
  Physically irritating? Like a rash or swelling? >
  
  My grandma used to make us wait for her to 'finish her coffee' when she would take us out for fast food as a kid. Youd finish your happy meal before she was done letting it cool off or whatever then you just have to sit there, even if you played for like 15 minutes or whatever in their playscape, youd come back and still have to wait while she reads the news and 'finishes her coffee'. >
  
  Who the fuck does that nowadays anyway ? lol >
  
  This was my first thought >
  
  You can do as you please. I enjoy sitting around and continuing to drink. I don’t stay at the table constantly but I hang around with the folks at the table and have good conversation