DEAR ABBY: Are you supposed to ignore an acquaintance when you notice she's in a doctor's waiting room with you? (Especially if it's a specialist's office that makes a particular condition obvious to an otherwise non-privy person?)
This has happened to me twice recently. One time, I avoided the acquaintance; the other, I broke the silence and said, "Is that you, So-and-So?" Both times it was awkward. I can understand why someone wouldn't want to be seen at certain doctors' offices. Should I have played dumb? -- STRIVING FOR DISCRETION IN NEW YORK
DEAR STRIVING: No, you should not have "played dumb." In the future, you should acknowledge your acquaintance, but refrain from asking questions. Any questions, including, "How are you?"