Obnoxious person at a dinner function?

I was at a dinner function with this man who was, let's just say "a handful". He was a guest of a friend of mine who owns an art gallery. Unfortunately I was seated next to this man. He chastized the waitress and instructed them to pour the head of the beer 1", not 1/4". Then of course he made lewd remarks how he likes "getting head", etc. This sort of behavior went on throughout the dinner. Also I did not have a plate for my dessert so he handed me his dirty desert plate. I pushed it back at him and said "no thanks". Frankly, I felt like slugging him and was grossed out having to remain sitting next to him. I also felt this man was trying to belittle me in someway in front of the other dinner guests. I told him that sometimes I have a low patience when it comes to tolerance. He said "I thought it's just that you don't want to be dominated? So what's your take on the matter? What can you do in a situation like this?

Let me congratulate you on being able to control your temper and preventing your arm from having a spasm and "accidentally" slugging him in the face. Next time, maybe you should try to request another seat or very firmly but politely tell the person to shut up and act their age. Trust me, I'm sure you were not the only one that wanted this guy out of your table.

fart in his face

You really only had two choices-tolerate him or leave. People like that can't be managed with reason-they just don't listen to it.

if it was me... personally i would have said something to the host of the dinner party... and request a change of seat. and if i couldn't change my seat i would tell the "problem" sternly but respectfully to cool it.

Life is to short sit elsewhere, when you go to a function scan the room and ask the seater (even if you have to press a buck or to into their hand) to sit you away from this charmng "chap".