DEAR MISS MANNERS: We have now pretty good neighbors on both aspect of our fence. Our out of doors seating space is roughly 20 meters from that of every of our neighbors.
We dwell close to a forest and get to listen to beautiful birdsong, owls at night time, and so on.
One neighbor likes to spend many of the day outside and has made feedback about how she longs for “a quiet life.”
In gentle of this, is it OK to talk at a standard quantity after I’m in my backyard? Or ought to I be hushing my tone a little bit?
Once I’m consuming espresso outside with my husband and youngsters, absolutely it isn’t dangerous etiquette to have a standard dialog at an bizarre quantity. I don’t wish to upset my neighbor, however nor do I wish to need to whisper in my very own backyard.
GENTLE READER: You and your loved ones could, Miss Manners assures you, converse at regular quantity by yourself property — with the caveat, maybe, that if any of you will get excited and the sound degree goes excessive, you retain it in verify.
Besides maybe to say loudly, “Shhh, let’s be respectful of the neighbors!” simply so that you get factors for effort.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My accomplice and I went on a brief trip to a metropolis the place an outdated good friend of mine lives. I referred to as her months in the past, asking to stick with her and her accomplice for one night time, however she mentioned she didn’t have room.
I’ve identified this lady for 45 years and have stayed along with her at the least 20 instances up to now. Nonetheless, not an issue — we booked a beautiful place to remain and had a good time.
Initially, she requested us to return and spend the day at their place, then exit on their boat and keep for dinner. Then, final minute, she mentioned that wouldn’t work, both.
So I requested in the event that they needed to return into city (an 11-mile drive for them). She mentioned sure. They got here to the lodge, the place all of us had a beverage (that we supplied) out by the pool, after which went to a restaurant the place I had made a reservation.
At dinner, my good friend’s accomplice (whom I had by no means met, as my good friend is a current widow) confirmed us his super-expensive watch and fancy gold chain.
Then the invoice got here, they usually each simply sat there. So my accomplice took and paid the invoice, which was over $300.
In hindsight, I felt I ought to have requested them to at the least deal with the tip. Your ideas?
GENTLE READER: That for no matter cause, your good friend now not desires to host. And that cause could effectively have been to keep away from the expense of all of it.
Together with your persistence, nonetheless, she discovered a intelligent approach to see you and have you ever pay. It was not gracious, however asking her and her accomplice to pay the tip would have been impolite (flashy gold equipment however).
Miss Manners means that subsequent time you might be on the town, you casually point out it to her, however don’t ask to make plans.
Please ship your inquiries to Miss Manners at her web site, www.missmanners.com; to her e-mail, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or by way of postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas Metropolis, MO 64106.
