We've had a special dinner out ruined by somebody seated nearby describing her gall bladder surgery in gory detail. Oddly, her companions did not seem bothered at all. I would've asked to be moved but our young server was disabled himself (deaf) and I didn't want him to feel like he'd done something wrong.
On the other hand, we've had some disastrous medical problems in our family and the support of other people who had been through something similar absolutely saved us. Sometimes, those folks were of more practical help with their suggestions than anything medical personnel could provide.
You never know when a word of compassion may mean the world to someone.
