DEAR MISS MANNERS: For a few years, I wore my thick, curly pink hair in an extended mane — generally down, generally pinned up in varied kinds. I just lately chopped it off to only above my shoulders and I really feel nice about it!
Nonetheless, I'm receiving compliments that sit poorly with me: “What a cute minimize; it’s a lot extra skilled. I hated that bun you wore.” “That is one of the best your hair has ever regarded. I hope you by no means develop it again out.”
A number of the commenters have taken it upon themselves to repeat the assertion a number of occasions, and it’s bumming me out. I liked my lengthy hair and I could effectively develop it again out!
I additionally love my buddies, and I might respect an acceptable response to allow them to know that the second half of their “praise” is ruining the primary half.
GENTLE READER: “I'm sorry to listen to that you just thought I regarded unhealthy for thus lengthy. I additionally take pleasure in this new look, however I hope I received’t disappoint you once I develop it out once more.” This manner, Miss Manners assures you, they are going to be suitably forewarned to not be impolite once more.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’m a single man in his late 50s who enjoys recharging as a solo diner in eating places. Typically I’ll make amends for studying, different occasions I people-watch, and different occasions I merely take pleasure in quiet time with myself. (Discover I didn't say “by” myself.)
May you please advise restaurant hosts that it's degrading to say, “Only one?” as I'm approached to be seated? This has been a pet peeve of mine since I used to be the pinnacle host at a restaurant in my 20s: I taught my workers by no means to greet solitary diners with such a impolite opening.
My response to the unaware and unthinking when this occurs — which is nearly each time — is “Isn’t one sufficient?”
Meals for thought, pricey Miss Manners. I’d actually respect you passing this little nugget to these working in meals service.
GENTLE READER: Certain — when you can recommend an appropriate substitution. Miss Manners notices that you just pointedly didn't, maybe as a result of it's such an innocuous factor to say.
She suggests, “Desk for one?” since any inoffensive quantity may be plugged in there. And even simply, “What number of in your celebration?”
However within the absence of this, it appears way more possible that your restaurant hosts are merely attempting to evaluate the place to seat you — not disgrace you for being alone — with their harmless use of the phrase “simply” or “solely.” It's you who's attaching that means to it.
And talking of semantics, Miss Manners is afraid she fails to see a substantive distinction between “with” and “by” myself, besides that the previous sounds way more salacious.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My fantastic daughter-in-law takes off her footwear when she walks into our home. My flooring aren’t pristine, and once we sit in the lounge, she then places her toes on the white wool upholstery.
I didn’t say something at first, when she was the girlfriend. Now they're married. We now have an amazing relationship and I ought to be glad about that and never make my furnishings take priority. However is there something I can say at this level?
GENTLE READER: “We received you this pair of slippers.”
Please ship your inquiries to Miss Manners at her web site, www.missmanners.com; to her e-mail, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or by means of postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas Metropolis, MO 64106.