She requested if it was okay to deliver her canine, which I agreed to. Her canine just isn’t the issue. The issue is that after dinner, she went to make use of the washroom and the canine wished to come back in there along with her. It’s a small rest room, so my buddy stated she’d be leaving the door open so the canine may are available in along with her.
She left the door open every of the opposite 3 times she peed whereas she was at my dwelling, whether or not or not the canine cared, and she or he didn’t ask. And I may hear EVERYTHING.
Now she is hinting she’d wish to go to a “fancy” restaurant with me. How, precisely, am I to phrase this with out saying flat-out, “No one can be seen in public with you except they’re certain you gained’t pee with the door open?”
As brazen as this girl’s habits was, one can not think about that she plans to take her canine to a elaborate restaurant. And it’s the canine that appears to be the rationale for her … ahem … open-door coverage. However if you’re apprehensive, Miss Manners suggests that you simply politely warn her, “Oh, I don’t suppose Chez Hughes permits canine. And I’m fairly certain their bogs lock behind them. I hope that that may nonetheless give you the results you want.”
Expensive Miss Manners: I not too long ago had a falling-out with “Terrence,” whom I’ve identified for a very long time. Usually, I wouldn’t point out the dispute to anybody else, however I’m fairly certain Terrence has been invited to a mutual buddy’s wedding ceremony, which I’ll be attending with my spouse. There’s likelihood we can be seated on the identical desk, which might be awkward.
Might I contact the mutual buddy and request that, if attainable, she seat Terrence and me at completely different tables? I don’t wish to drag her into this, and I acknowledge she has rather a lot on her plate, however it is likely to be a simple factor to perform.
Sure, however you additionally don’t need the mutual buddy reporting again to Terrence that you simply requested the change. Are there different buddies with whom you may request to be seated with out inflicting suspicion? So long as you tread fastidiously and respectfully, Miss Manners will permit asking: “I’m certain that you simply’ve already put plenty of thought into your seating plan, however it will be fantastic to meet up with the Waltons. Do you’ve us all seated anyplace but?”
Whether it is certainly too late and you end up seated subsequent to Terrence, maybe you’ll find a delicate approach of shifting your chair by saying, “We see each other on a regular basis; do you thoughts switching seats? Hello, my identify is …”
New Miss Manners columns are posted Monday by means of Saturday on washingtonpost.com/recommendation. You’ll be able to ship inquiries to Miss Manners at her web site, missmanners.com. You may also comply with her @RealMissManners.