Ask the friend if s/he's comfortable being there, and if he/she's not, ask for a to go box and go. We had something similar happen one time, we just left. The dinner may be going well, but I don't want someone else's problems to end up ruining what was a good day.

I would just simply ask to be moved to another table. You wouldn't have to hear their conversation anymore and your dinner wouldn't have to be totally ruined.

I'd raise a bet on what would happen by the end of the dinner.
Who loses pays the check!

Just a joke. I will try to talk about something else, as it's not their fault if I'm nosy enough to actually pay attention to their private conversation and then have the nerve (or excuse me, the "sensibility") of being affected by it.

I think, though, that this would never happen to me... I'd surely find a way to laugh it off and get around by changing the subject in a conversation with my friend, or just get focused on the delicious dinner (I don't eat out everyday, so I think I'd get more concerned on enjoying the money I'm spending!) and the ever so arousing guilty pleasure of a fine dessert.

i'd do nothing. whatever is going on between them is bigger than my one meal and i'd just suck it up.

i'd prolly do nothing, guess its one of the advantages of having bad hearing.... if they want to fight in public more power to them, they are doing nothing but embarressing themselves.

I'd try to ignore it, even though it would be incredibly hard to! I would feel really bad for the couple. I would probably ask to be moved to another table, but if that wasn't an option I'd ask the rest of the people at my table if the arguing couple is making them feel uncomfortable, and make a group decision as to whether or not we should leave.

I don't think it would bother me. It's not like I know them or they're a part of my dinner party.

I agree with lickety split. maybe it would be different if they were loud, though

Yeah, you don't own the restaurant or anything. Besides...free reality tv...hehe

I wouldn't do anything. I would engage in a conversation of my own. I mean if you are talking to the person you are with then you shouldn't even be aware of what the people around you are talking about, as long as they aren't loud. I would NEVER ask to be moved. These people are obviously having a bad night and I would feel bad making them even more uncomfortable by moving away from them and drawing more attention to the situation. If they suspected that other people could hear them or were all in their business, I'm sure they would get up and leave and continue the argument else where.

I would stay put- I have had a similar situation (guy and girl breaking up right next to us) and I tried my hardest to ignore. Of course I later saw it as a story to tell - I felt bad for the girl though- the guy seemed like a real *sshole.

I probably wouldn't do anything either. I have a good sense of boundaries. Other people's issues don't bother me, unless I decide that it does.

If anything, I would probably feel sorry for the couple. Aparently, they're having a troubled marriage, and they can't have a nice dinner out.

I wouldn't do anything. I agree with the sentiment that they're obviously having a worse night than I am, and I would suck it up.