Dear Ann Landers,
Oh, yuk! You have defended the practice of asking for a taste from the plate of a fellow diner. Not only that, you make those of us who do not agree sound like antisocial creeps. I wrote this poem for you: Ode to the Eppie-Curean There's a habit that I hate: Swiping morsels off the plate By friendly folks who only want to share Their streptococci, my eclair. Gimme a taste, gimme a lick. Those gregarious people sure are quick! I've barely time to thank the Lord- My lunch becomes their smorgasbord. If they're so happy, so well-adjusted, The kind of people to be trusted, How come they always seem to feel There's something special about my meal? -Take the Whole Thing in Colorado

Dear Take,
Your meter is a little off, but the idea is what counts. I confess I received a lot more flak on this subject that I expected.