DEAR MISS MANNERS: I used to be in line at a busy cosmetics retailer. The road wasn’t shifting very quick when the girl behind me requested me to avoid wasting her place: She mentioned an worker had forgotten to present her one thing, and he or she needed to get it.
I used to be roughly fifth in line and there have been no less than that many individuals ready behind me. I regarded on the folks behind her and I instructed her no — however earlier than I might clarify why I wasn’t snug holding her place, she known as me impolite and proceeded loudly to say how imply I used to be that I wouldn’t do that for her at Christmas.
On the identical time, the girl in entrance of me rotated and in addition berated me — however this lady additionally didn’t step up and say she would do it.
I instructed the girl who wished to depart the road that she actually wanted to ask the folks she was in entrance of to carry her place. The person behind her mentioned he would.
All by my wait and checkout, she continued to loudly inform everybody who would pay attention how impolite I used to be, and I used to be even known as a Grinch.
I felt embarrassed and harm, and I really feel like I didn’t do something mistaken by denying her request. I personally would by no means ask anybody to do that for me; I might have left the road, gotten my merchandise after which gotten again in line on the finish.
GENTLE READER: Standing in line has gotten hazardous. You’re removed from the one one to report being insulted whereas ready to take a look at.
Everyone appears to be disgruntled and defensive. And Miss Manners notices that this consists of you.
This was not a query of breaking into line, however of being momentarily absent from it. Is it actually such a criminal offense to sprint out and decide up one other merchandise after which return to the road? Did you no less than start with an apology for not doing so?
All of you clung to your individual summary sense of justice over a very trivial matter to prevail over the duty of frequent courtesy. It makes for a really disagreeable society. Merry Christmas.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: What’s the correct method for my 16-year-old daughters, who’re twins, to reply when a pal asks them, “What would you like on your birthday?”
They’re having a small get together, and one of many women requested that query. We’re actually beginning to work on our manners and don’t actually know the right method to reply to that.
GENTLE READER: “World peace.”
It saves them from sounding grasping.
Miss Manners, who rails towards want lists, realizes that this awkwardness would have been averted had there been one. However would-be donors are alleged to take the difficulty to watch tastes — or no less than ask others who would possibly know.
On this case, it will have been ridiculously straightforward to ask Sophia what Olivia would possibly like, and to ask Olivia what Sophia would possibly like.
Please ship your inquiries to Miss Manners at her web site, www.missmanners.com; to her electronic mail, gentlereader@missmanners.com; or by postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas Metropolis, MO 64106.
