DEAR MISS MANNERS: My wife and I disagree on appropriate topics of conversation at dinner. I think it is inappropriate to discuss someone’s illness or medical procedures at dinner. Whether in a restaurant or out, I don’t think discussing a person’s physical health or medical history is conducive to enjoying a good meal.

GENTLE READER: You can tell your wife that Miss Manners agrees with you – but that she will make an exception for your wife, and probably her fellow surgeons, to discuss their patients at their leisure over lunch in the cafeteria from the hospital.

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(Please send your questions to Miss Manners on her website, www.missmanners.com; to his email, [email protected]; or by postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)