DEAR MISS MANNERS: Social media could be extra pleasing if folks adopted a number of pointers.
First, some folks publish an excessive amount of — a number of instances a day. Please suggest not more than three or 4 posts every week. Additionally, some folks publish too many footage of their kids or grandchildren. They might be pricey to the household, however different folks’s curiosity in them is restricted.
Individuals ought to ask themselves: Is that this similar to one thing I posted just lately? Sorts of posts that must be minimized in quantity: posts about your kids, posts about political or social organizations, advertisements for companies (except it’s actually particular or to announce that you're beginning a enterprise), inspirational mottos, persona assessments and film quizzes. “Reminiscences” posts must be restricted to issues which are actually particular (corresponding to weddings), not simply your kids at an earlier age.
There may be generally a setting for “See fewer posts like this,” however that isn’t all the time profitable. So it might assist if posters would comply with some pointers.
GENTLE READER: Definitely. However at the moment, Miss Manners has her fingers full asking folks to not publish insulting rhetoric and lewd propositions. Within the face of all-out verbal warfare, slipping in an additional image of their grandchild looks like a reasonably minor infraction. However please, knock your self out.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: A revered educational mentor and colleague is retiring from a significant college within the metropolis the place we each stay. I’ve been invited to a giant retirement dinner at a neighborhood venue.
The invitation arrived by electronic mail from a university-sponsored web site. Below the RSVP menu, I used to be additional knowledgeable that dinner reservations and a money bar have been out there — at a value two or thrice what I might usually pay for a nice night time out. Though I can afford the occasional splurge, I used to be shocked. After discussing it with my spouse, I checked the “regrets” field.
We agreed that there are numerous concepts for having a celebration on a finances and/or cost-sharing, however this method was not one. Realizing the retiree, I don’t assume this was his concept, and I really feel a bit responsible about declining. I do plan to present him a present and pay him a private go to.
Is that this form of pay-to-play occasion turning into frequent? Is there something I can or ought to say in addition to politely declining?
GENTLE READER: Widespread or not, utilizing a retirement as a fundraiser by padding the price is unseemly — and hardly celebratory. Miss Manners feels in your good friend, who, as you say, was undoubtedly coerced into this brazen occasion in his identify.
If you wish to be exceedingly gracious, you would possibly invite him to a easy ceremonial dinner at your private home, telling him, “The college occasion appeared a bit impersonal. We'd like to have you ever over to have fun your retirement privately.” And if you're feeling cheeky, you would possibly add, “We promise to not cost for the drinks.”
Please ship your inquiries to Miss Manners at her web site, www.missmanners.com; to her electronic mail, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or via postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas Metropolis, MO 64106.