Talking Poo Is Where I Draw The Line

So, there I was, minding my own business at a dinner party, when our host, a charming fellow named Tom, decides to regale us with tales from his recent trip to the Amazon. Now, Tom's a great guy, but he's got this habit of sharing every detail of his adventures, no matter how... well, let's just say, no matter how digestive they might be.

I mean, I'm all for a good story, but when he started describing his encounter with a certain local delicacy that involved a certain type of worm, I felt my dinner threatening to make a reappearance. And that, my friends, is where I draw the line. Talking poo? Really, Tom? Really?

When Did We Become So Comfortable with the Uncomfortable?

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all for open communication and breaking down taboos. But there's a time and a place for everything, right? I mean, I'm not suggesting we all go back to the Victorian era and start referring to bodily functions with euphemisms like 'the call of nature' or ' Answering the call of the wild'. But is it too much to ask for a little discretion? A little... tact?

I blame the internet. I mean, have you seen some of the stuff that trends on social media? There's a time-lapse video of a guy eating a live octopus, for crying out loud! And don't even get me started on the 'TMI' (Too Much Information) posts that seem to be everywhere. It's like we've all become so comfortable with the uncomfortable that we've forgotten where the line is.

But Where Is the Line?

That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? I mean, what's too much information for one person might be just the right amount for another. Take my friend Sarah, for instance. She's a nurse, so she's seen and heard it all. She can talk about bodily functions like she's discussing the weather. But me? I'm more of a 'when in Rome' kind of guy. I'll talk about my digestion issues with my doctor, but I draw the line at discussing them over dinner.

Maybe it's a generational thing. Maybe it's a cultural thing. Maybe it's just a 'Tom' thing. But whatever it is, I think we could all use a little reminder that there are some things that are best left unsaid. Or at least, left unsaid at the dinner table.

Where is the Poop? (Powerpoint) | Interactive Preposition Activity

So, What's a Poor Dinner Guest to Do?

Well, first of all, you could try changing the subject. I mean, there's a reason why small talk is called 'small' talk. It's because it's supposed to be, you know, small. Not big. Not detailed. Not involving worms.

If that doesn't work, you could always make a run for the bathroom. I mean, if you've got to go, you've got to go, right? Just make sure you come back with a change of subject. Something safe. Like politics. Or religion. Or the weather.

Or, you could always do what I did. I stood up, excused myself, and said I needed to 'powder my nose'. Then I locked myself in the bathroom and didn't come out until I was sure Tom had moved on to a different story. One that didn't involve quite so much... detail.

Because, you know what? I might be open to a lot of things. But talking poo? That's where I draw the line.