Earwig

Oh dear, that would have quite put me off my food, I may even have asked them to keep their voices down as I was trying to listen to someone more interesting !

Oh dear, yes, well done to the ladies for staying friends.
The worst experience I had like that was when my DH and I were waiting for a menus and we both noticed a but of a whiff. We did those flappy-and-nose-holding signs to each other, silently mouthing "Have you farted?" but I knew it wasn't that kind of stink. Then we noticed the lady at the table behind my husband had her shoes off.

She and her hubby were engaged in a fierce discussion about Brexit so we did the Brit thing of not saying anything about the cheesy feet and making an excuse to the waiter that we'd forgotten something at home, before leaving and getting a carryout meal.

a) Neither of us wanted to interrupt them as they were almost at fork-jabbing point.

b) Even with the shoes back on, I fear the scent memory would have lingered.

c) We agreed afterward that any protest by us could have unbalanced their argument...and possibly even their marriage the way it was escalating.

But actually, in truth, we're both just polite wimps who are so glad we are on the same side in the Bxxxxt debate.

It is very hard indeed I have one close friend who is a leaver although she now wishes she hadn’t however we just do not discuss it at all I couldn’t bear to feel cross with her so I just wipe it out my head (coward) I also have not such close friends who I dine with once a month and I purposely sit up the other end of the table just in case it crops up ( again a coward) but anyone who I m not close with I will argue my point There is one at work, oh dear, we do have fairly civilised ding dongs what an unsettled divided country we have become

Indeed, you are right Bluebelle.
I have a very good friend who has the opposite view to me on B....t, so we have agreed to disagree and leave it at that. Our friendship is too important to fall out over that!

My friend and I are polar opposites but maintain a loving friendship. We disagree about everything except good food and our families.

goodness me
we were waiting for menus and there was a bit of a whiff, not a but

I hadn't had my breakfast

I used to be a champion at "earwigging" . My favourite was quite a few years ago when DH and I were on holiday in Cyprus. We were sat in a lovely little taverna and the couple on the next table were clearly conducting some kind of illicit affair. I could hear every word they said.... they were plotting running away together and I even heard times and dates as to where they would meet etc. I couldn't decide whether to tell them they should be careful who was listening or to follow them home and spill the beans! Obviously I didn't do either, but would loved to have turned up at the arranged meeting place just to see whether it all went ahead as planned .

I overheard a conversation I wish I hadn't when my neighbour's gardener was speaking to his workmate above the noise of the mower. He was extolling the virtues of 'Gemma who gives the best blow-jobs in Oxfordshire' ! I am thinking of employing somebody to cut my steep lawn, but I certainly shan't be asking for his details!

Oh I would shysal imagine the scandalous stories you could "accidentally" overhear