Mary Killen Mary Killen

Dear Mary | 2 April 2011

Your problems solved

issue 02 April 2011

Q. Thank you for your advice regarding my ‘fecundity’ question (24 March), but I did refer in my question to a gastronomic salon i.e. a private house. The location was not a restaurant and no need to drop credit cards around!

—R.S., Bombay

A. I must apologise to readers for advising R.S. how to shake off a tiresome drunk in what I assumed was a restaurant scenario. When a drunk has bearded a happily chatting group in a private house it is a different matter. Here the correct protocol is for the most alpha member of the group to take responsibility. Simulating fascination with the drunk, he can suggest the others leave them alone so they can have a more intimate discussion. ‘I’ve seen you around and admired your style and there is something i’ve always wanted to ask you — it’s a little bit embarrassing so can I ask the others to move away…’ The alpha then embarks on a hypnotically boring story about himself.

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