DEAR ABBY: I work with the public and make small talk all day long. At the end of a busy day, I like to go to a neighborhood restaurant by myself for a quiet dinner. My problem is the owner, "Giovanni." He's a very nice man, and he'll sit down at my table to chat, often for the entire meal. To complicate matters, he speaks limited English and conversation with him is a chore.
I can't think of a polite way to ask that I be left alone without hurting his feelings and making future visits awkward. Any suggestions? -- HUNGRY AND TIRED IN THE EAST
DEAR H AND T: A polite way to do it would be to say, "Giovanni, I like you very much. But I have had a hard day. All I want to do is sit down, eat my food and stare into space. Please understand." Unless he is very new to the hospitality business, he should regard that as his cue to back off.