Why is that people like to gather around meals? Is it the giving or receiving that is more satisfying? Baffling....

they probably like to eat

Probably just going where the food is.

This is a good question.  When I was in undergrad I took many of the courses in the counseling curriculum.  I remember a discussion about how people are more likely to accept change or differing opinions during a meal because eating, itself, is accepting something into ourselves.  The professor had us find copies of and watch a movie called Babette's Feast.  I've recommended this film many times as there are many valuable lessons about humans and how we communicate and cooperate with each other.  As well as, it's a great example of the answers  to the original questions here regarding interaction during meals.