Interesting. I've never considered people who have interrupted my meal to ask me a question to be rude. I suppose it would depend on the question, and the approach as well.
I've met a number of famous authors by walking up to their table in a restaurant, asking if they would mind a small interruption, and if they say "no, go right ahead" I then tell them about how much I love their books.
I met Ray Bradbury that way, Joseph Wambaugh, Stephen King ....
If they say they would prefer to have their meal in private ... I walk away and stay the hell away so they can finish their meal ... in private.
People come up to me all the time to ask me about either (1) what I'm eating (because I often have the chef prepare me something that is not on the menu, and people are confused when they see me eating something that isn't showing up on the list that is put in front of them) and/or (2) some new gadget that I'm using.
I just always look at it as an opportunity to meet someone new and discuss something of interest to me.
Which reminds me of the day I walked into one of my favorite restaurants and the owner presented me with their newest menu, which now had a column entitled "Ricky's Selections" ... with all of the items that I liked made the way I liked .... and on the lunch menu, the time of day I liked to eat there.
Wandered off topic again there, didn't I?? Eh, I can still blame it on the drugs for a few days.
