DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I’ve been invited to a marriage that begins at 3:30 p.m. on a Thursday.
We’re thrilled for the couple. Nonetheless, I really feel we should always decline, because the bride and groom are sending a message — with their selection of a midweek afternoon ceremony — that they would like to have a small turnout.
I imagine we should always say no however ship a considerate be aware and reward. My husband feels that we should always each take the time without work from work and attend, and that declining could be punishing the couple for staying inside their restricted monetary assets.
Who is correct?
GENTLE READER: Maybe neither. The midweek scheduling might need nothing to do with the marriage funds. And even when the completely satisfied couple is economizing, Miss Manners notes that they meant to incorporate you.
The issue with studying between the strains is that the print is so small. The most secure assumption, when one receives an invite, is that it means the host needs the pleasure of your organization.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I used to frequent a espresso store within the suburbs, the place I’d work on my laptop computer for a few hours earlier than catching a practice to town.
Someday, as I used to be working, a person requested me to keep watch over his laptop computer whereas he took a telephone name exterior. I agreed, as my practice wouldn’t depart for an additional half-hour and I assumed the decision could be quick.
Because the departure time bought nearer, the person was nowhere to be discovered, and his laptop computer nonetheless sat on the counter unattended.
I packed up my issues and left to catch my practice. It felt mistaken to inconvenience one other buyer or worker by passing alongside the request to observe the laptop computer for an indefinite period of time, however I do know that I might have carried out higher. What ought to I’ve carried out as a substitute?
GENTLE READER: Today, sadly, one can not assume that the worst factor that may occur if a stranger leaves you holding a package deal is that they won’t return earlier than it’s a must to catch your practice.
It’s due to this fact cheap so as to add this to the rising checklist of issues one by no means agrees to do, beginning with accepting sweet from strangers.
However Miss Manners can refuse something graciously. On this case, she would have declined with an apology, explaining that she herself could be leaving to catch her practice.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’m going canoeing with a number of different retirees. One member of our group has a behavior of squatting within the river to urinate as a substitute of going behind a bush and dropping her drawers.
I don’t suppose she ought to assume that it’s OK to journey in others’ vehicles in her peed-in shorts on the finish of the day.
She maintains that when she’s within the water, the river washes her shorts “as well as your washing machine.”
Do you will have any ideas on this?
GENTLE READER: Solely that Miss Manners shall be taking the bus residence, thanks.
