When I eat in a restaurant I don’t pay any attention to what goes on at other tables. Usually, I am with other people, and their company is more interesting than other people’s conversations. But sometimes one observes and hears things that you can’t help but overhear. Recently, I dined alone in a restaurant that was not very busy. Seated not far from me were two elderly couples engaged in a noisy conversation. I don’t know if they were hard of hearing, but they spoke more loudly than necessary. One of the ladies had a fog-horn kind of voice that you could hear through half the restaurant. I couldn’t help hearing some things that I wish I hadn’t heard.
From the conversation, it was obvious that these were church people. They were running down their minister and discussing all kinds of things about their church that nobody would be interested in. Suddenly out of nowhere a waiter appeared at their table. I don’t know how much she overheard before the table was silent. When she left, the conversation resumed at decreased volume. I tried my best to ignore them.
I can only hope that they didn’t leave a gospel tract instead of a tip. They were poor ambassadors for any religion. They say you shouldn’t take children to a restaurant until they know how to behave in public. But what do you do with adults who don’t know how to behave in public?