Q. Last week I was a ticket-paying guest at a charity dinner. After the first course, the main fundraiser stood up and gave a speech. I didn’t know the man on my right but I suspect he was some sort of VIP. He never stopped talking about himself to me throughout the speech and I was aware of disapproving glances in our direction. I didn’t want to be rude and ignore him but we were obviously an annoyance to others. What would you have done, Mary?
– Name and address withheld
A. You might have gripped his arm and said: ‘Did you hear? I think she/he just mentioned your name.’ That would have shut him up and then, at the end, you could have said: ‘Oh – I must have been mistaken.’
Q. It’s very common for friends and family to go cashless and pay for everything using their phone or a card.
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