The hostess at one of our favorite restaurants in the Berkshires led us to our “quiet” table in the back dining room. Only a few tables in the room that was usually reserved for private parties -- one table of six, a table of four, another two at one table, and us.

I learned a long time ago to never talk about private matters in public and never, never assume that nobody knows what you are talking about.

It was at the table of six. One of the men, younger than the others, was a lawyer. I am not sure whether he was trying to impress the others, had too much to drink, simply had poor judgment, or had never learned the lesson about speaking in public. Perhaps it was a combination of all four. And, he was loud. Although I was across the room -- and don't have the best hearing -- I heard him clearly.

He talked about cases, other attorneys -- several of whom I knew -- giving details that caused me to shudder. At one point, I was tempted to walk over to him and offer my insight into one of the attorneys that he mentioned in a not-so-favorable light.

We were over a hundred miles from the City and maybe he presumed that no-one within earshot would know any of the names...or perhaps, even worse, his attempt to impress outweighed his better judgment.

We left after a wonderful meal as I looked over my shoulder at a fellow attorney who apparently never learned an important lesson.