DEAR MISS MANNERS: My firm has a mandate to return to workplace 4 days per week.
Whereas it’s good to have the in-person camaraderie, co-workers who’re conspicuously in poor health are coming in and spreading their contagion. Nobody says something.
I’m now sick (at dwelling). These co-workers usually are not heroes for coming in to work with their germs, however egocentric and thoughtless. (My firm offers a beneficiant two weeks of “occasional absence,” which can be used for sick days, physician appointments and such.)
I really feel I ought to say one thing to our workplace supervisor. What do you counsel?
GENTLE READER: That you simply say, “You might want to reiterate the ‘occasional absence’ policy. The return-to-office mandate seems to have people confused. We surely do not want to encourage people to come to work when they are sick and contagious.”
For optimum impact, Miss Manners recommends you could have this dialog while sneezing and coughing — safely over the cellphone, after all.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband believes that once we obtain a single, indivisible present meant for us as a pair (resembling a platter, restaurant present card or different anniversary present) or a shared expertise, like one other couple internet hosting us at a trip dwelling, each he and I ought to write separate thank-you word messages (albeit on a single card).
I would favor that we ship a single message, utilizing “we” within the word (e.g., “we love [X]”), with one particular person writing and every particular person signing. Is both method poor etiquette? (We collectively wrote this message, if it issues.)
GENTLE READER: Your reveal on the finish however, two folks can’t correctly write a letter.
On the high of yours, nonetheless, you started with “my husband and I,” which is the right approach to phrase it. The remainder of a thank-you message would then be within the singular, save for a reiteration or two of how a lot your husband (otherwise you, if he’s writing it) enjoys the current too. Then solely the author would signal it.
However in case you would nonetheless wish to make letters of thanks a joint effort? Miss Manners suggests you’re taking turns writing them.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’ve observed an issue at fairly a couple of eating places I’ve frequented — that their napkins seemingly come solely wrapped round silverware.
So after I ask for an extra serviette or a substitute — because of it getting used to scrub my fingers or the desk, and so forth. — I’m inevitably given a serviette with a brand new silverware set, which suggests I’ve further flatware at what are generally small tables.
Is there a well mannered approach to ask for a serviette by itself? Or return the extra silverware that’s unneeded?
GENTLE READER: There are well mannered methods to do each.
“Could I please have another napkin?” — repeating, “Just the napkin is fine,” if vital.
But when that too will get ignored, Miss Manners thinks it’s nice to return the silverware saying, “These are clean, I just needed the napkin, thanks” — though a good restaurant will wash them once more anyway.
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.
