DEAR MISS MANNERS: There are a lot of examples of expertise and dangerous habits merging, and I ask on your opinion relating to one which bothers me: individuals locking their automobiles by urgent the important thing fob twice, which causes the automobile to omit a loud chirp.
All one has to do to lock a automotive is push the button contained in the door or, at most, push the fob as soon as, which doesn’t trigger a loud noise.
In parking heaps and garages, these surprising loud noises can startle individuals, and in residential areas, they’ll awaken sleepers. This apply exhibits an absence of concern for others.
Additionally, I don’t perceive the motivation: Is there some small sense of energy the particular person will get from utilizing the expertise?
GENTLE READER: Yours is a wonderful instance of expertise inviting dangerous habits. Why couldn’t the engineers merely have made the gadget vibrate and/or mild up when locking the door?
However Miss Manners can not condemn individuals for utilizing this expertise, and he or she doesn’t share your mystification about why individuals press the button greater than as soon as. She doubts there may be any sense of energy gained from utilizing this device, however does perceive its marginal means to assuage the sense of powerlessness about whether or not the door has truly been locked.
Plus, it might probably assist find a automotive in a crowded and poorly labeled parking zone.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I ended consuming potluck meals at work years in the past when I discovered cat hair in a bit of cake. Apparently, the girl who introduced the cake commonly let her cats leap up on her kitchen counter.
I used to be at all times cautious with meals earlier than that, however that was the final straw.
I used to be invited to a co-worker’s dwelling for dinner not too long ago however declined going. I had been there earlier than, and the kitchen was very soiled, and there was an enormous fats cat roaming round.
I believe individuals really feel snubbed once I inform them “Thanks, but no thanks” once they provide me meals. One other instance: The girl downstairs is a heavy smoker and drinker. When she calls me up and asks if I would really like among the meals she has ready, I at all times discover an excuse to say no. She appears miffed about it.
At an occasion in a park, a girl I didn’t know had an enormous bucket of cookies and was providing them to individuals. I nearly took one, however requested her what bakery she acquired them from, and he or she stated she made them herself. I withdrew my hand and informed her “No, thanks” and he or she acquired indignant at me.
I don’t need to sound snobby, however how do I politely get out of those meals gives?
GENTLE READER: You additionally don’t need to waste meals, nor do you need to be dishonest — by, for instance, saying that you just already ate.
Miss Manners can accommodate this lengthy listing as long as you don’t additionally insist on being unique: Say “No, thank you” — this time, earlier than reaching for a cookie — and repeat it as many occasions as needed, resisting the temptation to clarify your causes.
Please ship your inquiries to Miss Manners at her web site, www.missmanners.com; to her electronic mail, gentlereader@missmanners.com; or by means of postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas Metropolis, MO 64106.
