Q. My partner and I recently had two close friends — one a Peer, the other a former Member of the Scottish Parliament — over for lunch. During the course of an otherwise splendid meal, our friend from the House of Lords took a ten-minute call from a former prime minister, remaining at the table for the duration of the somewhat banal exchange. Should we be honoured to mix in such lofty circles, or should we be offended by such a breach of etiquette?
— C.W.H., East Lothian
A. This was undoubtedly a breach of etiquette, made worse by the Peer’s assumption that others present would be flattered by being privy to a call between grandees. Yet you were no more having greatness thrust upon you than had you had to sit through a call between the peer and Ernie, Benny Hill’s milkman. It was a double breach, since the Peer should have immediately informed the former PM that he was at a lunch table and with whom.
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