Clearly, many individuals can have the identical concept for a punchline concerning the information of the day, however that is wholesale appropriation.
Politely (and privately) name her bluff. “Humorous how we preserve posting the identical joke. Perhaps we must always brainstorm and collaborate. What have been you pondering of claiming concerning the newest occasions in Myanmar?”
Expensive Miss Manners: I’ve profound listening to loss, the results of a childhood sickness some 50 years in the past. I labored laborious at studying to lip-read and now have had speech remedy, and now most individuals can’t detect a distinction between my speech and that of hearing-able individuals.
As a small-business proprietor, I often meet new individuals, and I’m upfront concerning the listening to loss — explaining the scenario and asking that they take a look at me whereas speaking.
Sometimes, somebody will say, “You don’t sound deaf.” I admit that I discover this impolite, and it makes me really feel defensive. I’d like to say one thing snarky in response, however concern it could mirror poorly on my enterprise. I normally reply that I’ve had speech remedy and alter the topic.
Do I proceed to smile and bear it, or are you able to counsel a reply that may allow them to know that the remark is out of line with out being imply?
“What? I’m not certain what ‘sounding deaf’ seems like” — adopted by a quizzical look.
Presumably this might be sufficient to disgrace these impolite individuals to silence. But when it doesn’t, Miss Manners trusts that you’ll reduce them off earlier than they try to offensively reveal.
Expensive Miss Manners: My son is marrying a beautiful girl raised in a distinct faith from ours. Our household’s faith considers tattoos to be taboo.
How can I gently counsel to my son’s fiancee that she take into account a robe the place her giant again tattoo won’t be seen? I’m afraid all of the friends of our faith might be centered on the tattoo and never the bride.
Am I being old school? My son and his fiancee are of their late 30s, so I’m uncertain if it’s applicable for me to voice my issues. How ought to I proceed?
Are you going to counsel that she steer clear of summer time outings, too? As a result of she is prone to need to get pleasure from them along with her new household — and that may little question require clothes that doesn’t cowl her again.
Miss Manners suggests you avoid this difficulty, as this couple is certainly grown up and may seemingly deal with the eye. If you need to be useful, maybe you may remind your loved ones that the bride doesn’t have the identical tattoo restrictions in her faith.
New Miss Manners columns are posted Monday by Saturday on washingtonpost.com/advice. You may ship inquiries to Miss Manners at her web site, missmanners.com. You can too observe her @RealMissManners.
