DEAR ABBY: I am a woman in my 30s with a group of close friends who have been together since college. We have a question on which we are divided.
A couple of the women feel it is OK to apply lipstick, or powder their noses, at the table in a restaurant. The others feel it's inappropriate. We realize that in the scheme of things, this is a small issue, but it's causing unrest among us. There is also the question of whether or not it is appropriate to talk on a cell phone at the restaurant table. -- NEEDS A REPLY IN DAVIDSONVILLE, MD.
DEAR NEEDS: You're right; in the scheme of things, it is a small issue. I was taught that if the repair is a "quickie" -- a dab of powder or an unobtrusive application of lipstick -- it is permissible at the table. If it takes more than a minute, the repair job should be done in the ladies' room.
As to cell phones: It is rude and distracting to use one at the table, and some restaurants ask guests to turn them off so other diners are not disturbed by the ringing.