DEAR ABBY: Yesterday I ordered a taco salad and an iced tea at a popular fast food restaurant. I sat down and proceeded to eat when I noticed a couple sitting on one side of a table. Neither of them was skinny. Another couple joined them, and the women began staring at me.
I am 55 years old and 250 pounds. They were over 35 and plus-sized themselves. They may have been thinking my meal was inappropriate because of my size, but they were no different from me. I packed up my food and ate in my car. Was there a better solution? -- SALAD LOVER IN OHIO
DEAR SALAD LOVER: Yes, you should have remained at your table and enjoyed your meal. The people at the next table were in that fast food restaurant for the same reason you were.
Some folks stare because there is a lull in the conversation and they have zoned out. If you were certain they were looking AT you instead of THROUGH you, another way to have handled it would have been to have made eye contact, smiled and said, "Do I know you?"