From Gregory Stock’s The Book of Questions: If you were enjoying a festive dinner at a friend’s house and found a dead cockroach in your salad, what would you do?

Well, if you’re like me, your first instinct might be to scream bloody murder and dramatically flip the salad bowl off the table. But let’s be real, that’s probably not the most tactful approach, especially if you want to maintain your friendship with the host. Instead, I’d likely opt for a more subtle approach.

First, I’d discreetly beckon my friend over to the table and quietly break the news. “Hey, I don’t mean to alarm you, but it seems we have an uninvited guest in the salad,” I might say with a forced smile, pointing to the lifeless critter. Then, I’d politely decline to finish my salad, pushing the plate away with a quip about how I’m suddenly watching my figure.

But the fun doesn’t stop there, folks. You can bet your bottom dollar I’d be inspecting the main course with the intensity of a CSI detective. Poking, prodding, and dissecting each morsel to ensure no other six-legged surprises await. After all, once you’ve found a roach in your salad, trust issues with the menu are bound to arise.

Of course, this is just my take on this unappetizing scenario. I’m curious to hear how you would handle this situation. Would you make a scene or play it cool? Would you ever be able to eat salad again without having flashbacks? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

And remember, while finding a dead cockroach in your salad is undoubtedly gross, it’s not the end of the world and it could be worse… You could find half a cockroach in your salad. Plus, it makes for one heck of a dinner party story to share for years to come. Just maybe wait until after dessert to bring it up.