Newport Manners + Etiquette: When Divorced Parents Must Deal With a Funeral

It depends on the formality of the restaurant. In a chain restaurant, you would probably have to take your glass to the table yourself, if you don't want to leave it behind. In that case, I would leave it unless your date takes it for you. When a staffer escorts you to the table, he/she usually carries the glass(es) or comes back for them after escorting you to your table - if he hasn't asked a server to follow with them. 

In a well-run restaurant, a server should take your glass(es) to the table. If you've actually been sitting at the bar waiting for your table, then a professional bartender would see to it that your glass was brought to your table.

Call me old-fashioned, but in an up-scale restaurant I wouldn't wander through rooms of seated tables with a half finished glass of wine in my hand. On the other hand, if I were at the local clam shack having a beer at the bar, while waiting for a table, I would take my beer with me. As they say, "When in Rome ..."  Didi

Dear Didi, 

How should I respond to a friend who asked me what the prognosis is of my sick spouse.  J.W., Coventry

Dear J.W.,

Your friend wants to know how much support you'll need to get through your spouse's illness. In other words, the friend may be looking to help you in some way. That's what friends do. They rally round to bring meals and comfort. Next time the friend asks, think of something they can do to help. Maybe staying with your spouse while you get out of the house to do errands or go running. There are all sorts of ways you can get a bit of help from a friend. Often the friend has had someone help them in the past and knows how much it means to have friends pitching in every now and then to give some relief. People can sound rather blunt when they really are just curious to know how much emotional support you'll both be needing in the near future.  ~Didi