DEAR MISS MANNERS: Is there an applicable approach to tackle individuals who deal with medical ready rooms as their private workplace area?
As I sit right here, nervously ready for my beloved one who's having a process, attempting to maintain myself quietly occupied, I've been compelled to take heed to different patrons’ work calls — loudly performed simply toes away from me.
My scornful look inspired considered one of these callers to no less than silence his speakerphone, however I'm nonetheless a captive, unwilling viewers to half of those (generally confidential-sounding) calls. Is there a well mannered approach to discourage fellow waiters from such an irritating follow?
GENTLE READER: No person is in a medical ready room out of selection, Miss Manners reminds you, and the waits are sometimes lengthy. So it isn't shocking that folks attempt to use the time — a lot of them to make up for an surprising absence from work.
Sure, they might should be reminded that that is shared area, and they don't have license to harass others. However please omit the scorn while you do that.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’ve identified my present buddies since faculty — over 25 years. Today, my earnings is way larger than theirs.
I purchased a luxurious watch, automobile and different costly items, however I by no means put on or use them after I’m with my buddies, who don't have such issues. I’d prefer to put on my watch, however don’t need to flaunt my earnings or be a jerk. What's the correct etiquette?
GENTLE READER: Neither flaunt nor patronize.
Miss Manners is happy to see that you're in no hazard of flaunting your costly possessions.
However hiding them suggests that you simply maintain the questionable assumption that they might induce envy in your pals.
Maybe your pals are happy at your success and are additionally glad with their very own achievements. Maybe they haven't any need for conspicuously costly watches, even when they might afford them, after they can see the time on their telephones. Maybe they've so little curiosity in standing symbols that they don't acknowledge yours.
In any case, it's patronizing to imagine that your possessions trigger them discomfort. The one purpose Miss Manners can think about to maintain this stuff out of sight is that you simply connect a lot significance to them which you could’t assist swaggering a bit of their presence.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: On the rare event when somebody compliments my look, they all the time act quite shocked. This bothers me. Do they discover me unattractive the remainder of the time?
Often if I obtain a praise, it's after I’m sporting an outfit that makes me look barely slimmer or after I blow-dry my hair straight, which makes me look much less “ethnic.” This bothers me, too.
GENTLE READER: As compliments all the time appear to trouble you for one purpose or one other, Miss Manners imagines you have to be grateful to obtain them so sometimes.
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.