DEAR MISS MANNERS: A co-worker invited just a few folks and their spouses over to observe a preferred sporting occasion.
After everybody within the workplace bombarded him with questions on what to carry, he insisted we carry nothing.
By no means having met his spouse or having been to his dwelling, I introduced a seasonal hand cleaning soap as a small thank-you for internet hosting us.
They each laughed on the gesture. Actually, it was a operating gag between them for a lot of the night, saying issues like, “Thank goodness we’ve got sufficient cleaning soap!” or “Possibly we must always all wash our fingers.”
I smiled together with them, however thought such a response was odd. My partner introduced beer, which was shared among the many friends with out jokes.
To keep away from such a scenario sooner or later, ought to I now not carry a hostess present to gatherings?
GENTLE READER: Hostess presents should not the requirement they have been as soon as generally thought-about, and Miss Manners would positively dispense with them if the hosts are solely going to ridicule you in your efforts.
Come to consider it, she wouldn’t be inclined to socialize with such folks.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I dwell in a rural space the place cellphone reception and web service may be spotty, which typically ends in calls being dropped with out warning.
Callers who’re accustomed to infallible know-how may be baffled by this. I’ve even been accused of getting hung up on somebody! However extra generally, a clumsy alternate ensues, the place every particular person tries to name the opposite again concurrently and may’t get by.
With a view to keep away from this, I’ve gotten into the behavior of letting callers know upfront that if I initiated the decision, I’ll name them again in case of an interruption (or vice versa, if they’re the one who referred to as me). This appears logical, and I discover myself wishing it may change into established telephone etiquette.
GENTLE READER: Maybe, however know-how modifications extra rapidly than etiquette.
Somebody extra educated concerning the inside workings of telecommunications than Miss Manners must clarify to her why its bugs seem to have longer lives than its merchandise.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My brother and I are the monetary gatekeepers for our aged, fairly rich mom. Mother refers all requests for donations to us.
How will we politely get a few of these requesters to only go away? One particularly retains pestering me for a gathering with my mom. She’s in search of, I imagine, both a significant present or to be included within the will.
We have now to proceed to dwell on this comparatively small city, so I can’t be as impolite as I want to be.
GENTLE READER: Why would you want to be impolite? Fundraisers could also be persistent, however they’re, in Miss Manners’ expertise, no extra than anybody else in losing their time.
Clarify that you just and your brother make these choices in your mom, and that you’re not keen on donating to this trigger. Should you really feel these requests have been lower than well mannered, then you’ll be able to overlook to append a “thanks.”
Please ship your inquiries to Miss Manners at her web site, www.missmanners.com; to her electronic mail, gentlereader@missmanners.com; or by postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas Metropolis, MO 64106.
