DEAR MISS MANNERS: I used to be in line at a busy cosmetics retailer. The road wasn’t shifting very quick when the lady behind me requested me to save lots of her place: She stated an worker had forgotten to offer her one thing, and he or she needed to get it.
I used to be roughly fifth in line and there have been not less than that many individuals ready behind me. I seemed on the individuals behind her and I instructed her no — however earlier than I might clarify why I wasn’t snug holding her place, she referred to as me impolite and proceeded loudly to say how imply I used to be that I wouldn’t do that for her at Christmas.
On the similar time, the lady in entrance of me circled and likewise berated me — however this lady additionally didn’t step up and say she would do it.
I instructed the lady who needed to depart the road that she actually wanted to ask the individuals she was in entrance of to carry her place. The person behind her stated he would.
All by way of my wait and checkout, she continued to loudly inform everybody who would hear how impolite I used to be, and I used to be even referred to as a Grinch.
I felt embarrassed and harm, and I really feel like I didn’t do something unsuitable by denying her request. I personally would by no means ask anybody to do that for me; I might have left the road, gotten my merchandise after which gotten again in line on the finish.
GENTLE READER: Standing in line has gotten hazardous. You might be removed from the one one to report being insulted whereas ready to take a look at.
All people appears to be disgruntled and defensive. And Miss Manners notices that this contains you.
This was not a query of breaking into line, however of being momentarily absent from it. Is it actually such a criminal offense to sprint out and choose up one other merchandise after which return to the road? Did you not less than start with an apology for not doing so?
All of you clung to your personal summary sense of justice over an awfully trivial matter to prevail over the duty of widespread courtesy. It makes for a really disagreeable society. Merry Christmas.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: What’s the correct means for my 16-year-old daughters, who’re twins, to reply when a buddy asks them, “What do you want for your birthday?”
They’re having a small occasion, and one of many ladies requested that query. We’re actually beginning to work on our manners and don’t actually know the proper means to answer that.
GENTLE READER: “World peace.”
It saves them from sounding grasping.
Miss Manners, who rails towards want lists, realizes that this awkwardness would have been averted had there been one. However would-be donors are presupposed to take the difficulty to look at tastes — or not less than ask others who would possibly know.
On this case, it could have been ridiculously straightforward to ask Sophia what Olivia would possibly like, and to ask Olivia what Sophia would possibly like.
