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 alternative 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 observe and present. My husband feels that we should always each take the time without work from work and attend, and that declining can 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 price range. And even when the comfortable 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 wishes 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 prepare to town.
Sooner or later, as I used to be working, a person requested me to keep watch over his laptop computer whereas he took a cellphone name outdoors. I agreed, as my prepare wouldn’t depart for one more half-hour and I assumed the decision can be quick.
Because the departure time received 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 prepare. It felt flawed 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 finished higher. What ought to I’ve finished as a substitute?
GENTLE READER: Today, sadly, one can now 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 important to catch your prepare.
It’s subsequently cheap so as to add this to the rising record 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 can be leaving to catch her prepare.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am 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 experience 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’ve gotten any ideas on this?
GENTLE READER: Solely that Miss Manners can be taking the bus dwelling, thanks.
Please ship your inquiries to Miss Manners at her web site, www.missmanners.com; to her electronic mail, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or via postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas Metropolis, MO 64106.
