Miss Manners: I used to be caught in a room with this distressing girl

DEAR MISS MANNERS: As a result of I used to be raised in a strongly evangelical dwelling and painfully walked away from these beliefs, faith is an emotionally distressing topic for me, one which I’m solely in a position to talk about with these very near me.

Just a few months in the past, I used to be hospitalized for a few weeks. For many of that point, I shared the room with a really pleasant, talkative girl who had been within the hospital for a very long time.

Whereas nonetheless needing medical care, she was clearly on the mend; she was bored, a bit of lonely from her lengthy keep, and happy to have a brand new roommate to speak to.

It instantly turned apparent she was a dedicated evangelical Christian and all she wished to speak about was faith. I began by making quick, noncommittal responses and making an attempt to vary the topic, however my lack of enthusiastic response made her resolve I wanted to be “saved.”

For the rest of our time sharing the room, I used to be bombarded by “give your heart to Jesus” appeals, which I discovered upsetting.

Being confrontation-averse, and already on the border of emotional overload, I resorted to pretending to be sleeping to keep away from dialog. I used to be exhausted and sleeping greater than common, however not 23 hours a day!

Finally she was discharged and the issue went away, however I’m questioning if there was a method I may have shut this down wanting sitting up and yelling, “Would you shut up about religion?” (Which, imagine me, was tempting.)

I understand how to politely cease this sort of factor at work, and I may be extra blunt with household and mates, telling them we have to drop the topic or cease spending time collectively. Nevertheless, I used to be at a loss on this state of affairs. I couldn’t merely depart.

GENTLE READER: Though she resists making each etiquette downside right into a medical query, Miss Manners is prepared to make exceptions in a hospital setting — the place many issues you might be used to doing for your self will, in the meanwhile, require help.

If a good friend can not communicate together with your roommate, ask a nurse or physician to inform her that you’re simply fatigued — and that, due to your individual historical past, the topic of faith is especially taxing for you.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When is it acceptable to specify the ending time of an occasion?

Usually, if I’m inviting visitors for dinner, I ask them to please arrive at a sure time, with no ending time given. However for a kid’s celebration, one would invite visitors from, say, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., so mother and father know when to choose up their youngsters.

If I’m internet hosting a cocktail social gathering, is it acceptable to ask visitors from, say, 4 p.m. to six p.m., in order that it’s clear that this isn’t a cocktail party? How a couple of reception the place the venue is simply rented for a sure variety of hours? What’s the rule?

GENTLE READER: Specifying a time for the social gathering on the invitation is okay — as long as you don’t intend to implement it.