She requested if it was okay to convey 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 return in there along with her. It’s a small toilet, so my pal mentioned she’d be leaving the door open so the canine might 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 might 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 will probably be seen in public with you until they’re positive you gained’t pee with the door open?”
As brazen as this girl’s habits was, one can’t 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 frightened, Miss Manners suggests that you simply politely warn her, “Oh, I don’t assume Chez Hughes permits canines. And I’m fairly positive their bogs lock behind them. I hope that that may nonetheless give you the results you want.”
Expensive Miss Manners: I just lately had a falling-out with “Terrence,” whom I’ve recognized for a very long time. Usually, I wouldn’t point out the dispute to anybody else, however I’m fairly positive Terrence has been invited to a mutual pal’s marriage ceremony, which I’ll be attending with my spouse. There’s a great probability we will probably be seated on the identical desk, which might be awkward.
Could I contact the mutual pal and request that, if potential, she seat Terrence and me at totally different tables? I don’t need to drag her into this, and I acknowledge she has lots on her plate, nevertheless it is perhaps a simple factor to perform.
Sure, however you additionally don’t want the mutual pal reporting again to Terrence that you simply requested the change. Are there different associates 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 positive that you simply’ve already put a variety of thought into your seating plan, however it could be fantastic to meet up with the Waltons. Do you will have us all seated wherever but?”
Whether it is certainly too late and you end up seated subsequent to Terrence, maybe yow will discover a delicate manner of shifting your chair by saying, “We see each other on a regular basis; do you thoughts switching seats? Hello, my title is …”
New Miss Manners columns are posted Monday via Saturday on washingtonpost.com/advice. You possibly can ship inquiries to Miss Manners at her web site, missmanners.com. It’s also possible to comply with her @RealMissManners.
Tips on how to: Can I restore peeling veneer on a rest room self-importance?
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