Guardian Life & Style (US) • Jan. 21, 2026, 3:14 p.m.

There was the struggle to make chitchat, a whiff of humiliation – and a sobering recognition of what women have to put up with I had an unusual experience just before Christmas. I think it did me good.

This was at a gathering of some old friends of mine, a group of dentists as it happens, but’s that’s not relevant. The assembled were all blokes, which is relevant.

This was at a pub/restaurant that was doing a roaring trade. A lost afternoon was had by all.

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