Greetings, Miss Manners The lack of a wedding register plus the fact that they don’t have my phone number to voice their grievances have angered several of my soon-to-be in-laws.
My fiancé is not bothered by anyone, but his mother, Noreen, is receiving a lot of calls from relatives.
I’ve given her permission to tell the truth: We’re building picture walls in our front hall and will gladly accept any photos that people bring us.
Noreen is becoming agitated as the day approaches, and even this very personal present idea isn’t working. It’s not functioning to direct family members to my fiance’s phone number.
I’m tempted to create a register with only socks to contribute to a charity, but I think that would only make Noreen’s situation worse. Talk me down, please.
PERSONAL READER: You are probably aware that Miss Manners has been vehemently and futilely opposing the tradition of sharing one’s shopping list with guests for a long time.
When she settles down, though, she understands that there are people who genuinely want to win over celebrants but aren’t familiar enough with them to know how. It should be done in a generic and indirect manner to make that acceptable.
Your fiance’s mother needs to respond to the following: They travel frequently, they adore kitchen gadgets, or their home is decorated in blue and gray tones.
Greetings, Miss Manners How do you feel about handkerchiefs? They’re better than tissues, in my opinion.
At thousands of dollars’ worth of weddings, I have witnessed brides sobbing into wadded-up tissues. They could spend a few dollars on a multi-pack and receive a new handkerchief every time if they truly think it’s so repulsive to reuse a filthy one.
In my opinion, it is also more environmentally friendly.
PERSONAL READER: For wiping up life’s many spills, even those from noses, why would anyone choose a thin sheet of paper over a multipurpose small cloth?
Miss Manners believes that handkerchiefs are dismissed as frivolous because of their fussy name and frills like embroidered, floral designs, and monograms.
She does, in fact, adore them. Remind her that prospective brides who are known to be emotional should be given big, frilly ones.
Greetings, Miss Manners At the school where I work, two of the teachers had babies. I presented a gift at each of the different baby showers the school held for each of them.
Neither of them has shown gratitude to any of us for the presents they were given.
I am a little taken aback. Is this the standard now?
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PERSONAL READER: Since you are a teacher, you most likely believe that common conduct—that is, behavior that many people engage in—could be improved.
The fact that ingratitude is widespread does not excuse it. Additionally, you wouldn’t accept kids using “busy” as an excuse for not turning in their assignments.
However, Miss Manners assumes that you are likewise accustomed to not finishing a task. Are you certain that a card identifying the donor was firmly attached to each package?
Miss Manners can be reached by email at [email protected], via her website at www.missmanners.com, or by mail at Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
