Steer clear of rude coffee klatch

Dear Annie: I patronize a restaurant where a small group of older men sit around and drink coffee. They are very loud and often rude and seem to enjoy gossiping. For instance, should an overweight person walk in, these men think nothing of pointing it out. These men aren’t exactly small themselves. I find their behaviour despicable. Am I wrong to want nothing to do with them? — Somewhere in the USA

Dear USA: These men are rude, but they also could be hard of hearing and don’t realize their remarks are audible to everyone. They also may not care. Steer clear if you cannot get them to keep their opinions to themselves.

Dear Annie: I read the letter from “Fed Up in Wisconsin,” whose 21-year-old boyfriend chews with his mouth open, smacks his lips and speaks with his mouth full.

My niece had the same problem. I could barely stomach sitting at the same table with her.

Constant attempts to correct her were fruitless until I got the idea to secretly videotape a meal. When she saw the tape, she said, “That’s disgusting!” and asked for help in changing her habits. — Louisville, Ky.

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