if you don't say "amen"?

Almost always, someone at the table will say "Amen." It's not a prayer. It's a request to those at the table. But, nobody listens to religious table graces, either.

I just say, I don't believe in god and I don't pray. And that just makes everyone at the table uncomfortable, especially the one who asked me to say grace. You have found a way to deal with a strange situation while keeping everyone's dignity. Thanks for sharing.

I like it. Nothing wrong with being aware of our good fortune and to be grateful for it, even if there is no cosmic meaning behind it.

I may swipe this if the situation arises

A listening theist would assume you're thanking God.

not "thankful to..."

but for those not paying attention they would miss the nuance.

that that implies that we are being urged to be thankful to ... ? What?

How can you be thankful without being thankful to someone or something?

but that is my prespective and I understand your point.

on edit: what MineralMan said in post 10.

For myself, I thank those who prepared the food, those who grew it, and those who have otherwise helped to get it to the table for me to eat. A theist might thank some deity. It's open-ended. Each person decides who gets the thanks. Could be the host of the dinner or some supernatural entity, depending on who hears it.

The second line clarifies the first, for me.

you got an offical approval from someone in the religion forum.