When she sobbingly asked, “what about the kids?” the whole place went dead silent. It was excruciating. I think we all wanted to teleport somewhere else.

No! I witnessed the demise of a marriage while a server. As did the entire restaurant. No way was I going to ask if they needed drink refills while he confessed his infidelity. It was awful and uncomfortable for everyone. I was kind of surprised that they finished the meal.

Agreed. I got proposed to at a restaurant once by someone I was not dating, and when I told him no, he got upset that I was “making a scene” and that people were staring and laughing at us. What was I supposed to do, say yes? Screw that, and to hell with his feelings when he has such disregard for mine as to pull a…

Nope I checked with experts and you’re wrong. You’re allowed to be emotional over: family dying, pets dying, breaking up, getting fired/laid off, people you know getting into accidents, somebody eating food you didn’t say they could eat.

I agree. But getting upset because someone breaks up with you is perfectly natural. We can’t always control our emotions. It also depends on the severity of the break up. 3 dates and you tell me over dinner you don’t want to see me any more? That’s cool. 3 years and you’re leaving me for your dog walker? I’m going to…

Define a scene? I’d say it’s perfectly normal to at least cry when someone dumps you. Also, getting handed emotional news can lead to anyone behaving in an unpredictable manner.

Hot take: If you have no emotions when someone breaks up with you then you’re a fucking sociopath who shouldn’t be dating in the first place.

Seek help.

Yeah, and usually the coward doing it is doing it because they’ve been a total scumbag in some way which they know merits an emotional outburst. Public break ups are the go-to choice of cheating scumbags who want to escape the actual consequences of their actions.

Perhaps. But, I absolutely love it. The letters are so great. And I’m glad we are getting some diversity in the crazy questions. Don’t get me wrong, I still love the “is it okay to order a double cheeseburger, or is it too much of a hassle making the server carry twice as many ground beef patties from the kitchen to…

Imagine you are planning to propose at a nice restaurant, then, just before your planned moment, an ugly breakup breaks out at the next table.

Oh, not at all. My life is full of meaning. And love. It’s just the letter writer who will die cold and alone.

honestly knowing that someone was planning to dump me the whole meal anyways would really, really piss me off, like you’re getting stabbed with the damn steak knife pissed off.

If I had to choose between being dumped over text or at a restaurant I’d choose the former every time. Like what, I’m supposed to try not to cry and/or get snot everywhere while having to deal with paying for (and presumably boxing up) some meal I don’t really want anymore?

“and you’re also forcing him/her plunk down a chunk of money for a really unpleasant dining experience.”

Dear It’s Over in Orlando:

“Should I plan to break up with someone at a restaurant?”

I’ve gotten dumped twice at restaurants, and both times the location aggravated the situation. The main problem is logistical: it takes time to order food, have it arrive, eat it, and then settle the bill. And the whole time you/your soon-to-be-ex are awkwardly chatting since at least one of you knows what’s about to…

“Gently dropping the bomb” is such an odd choice of metaphor. I don’t think there’s been a technique invented for bomb-dropping that results in a gentle landing.

This column should be renamed “Letters From Idiots.”

What part of this sounds like a good idea? “Gently dropping the bomb”? If you want to do it in person, do like others here have suggested. Just meet at your place, her place, a bus stop even, do it and go. Having an entire dinner means making small talk, trying to act noncommittal when she brings up maybe going…