DEAR MISS MANNERS: I dwell in a condominium constructing that has plenty of retired folks in it.
I’ve been on the similar job for 20-plus years, so I’ve plenty of trip days. I don’t usually take every week or two off at a time — extra usually only a time without work right here and there.
My neighbors can’t get their heads round this. I’ve been repeatedly requested, “Oh, don’t you’re employed daily? Do you may have Fridays off? Why aren’t you at work?”
It actually burns me, as they’re implying I’m doing one thing mistaken and that my schedule is their enterprise.
Many of the old-timers have left since I moved right here, however there are nonetheless just a few older busybodies round. They appear to endure from “groupthink” and an inclination to intrude with others. Additionally, they’re so oblivious. It goes proper over their heads that they is likely to be bothering folks with questions like this.
Goodness, if I did have a illness or some type of private motive for being house, I wouldn’t essentially need them to know that!
Generally I even go down the stairwell and take totally different routes to keep away from working into these folks.
GENTLE READER: Have these folks not heard about distant work?
Not that Miss Manners believes that listening to that clarification — or every other — would discourage a decided busybody. Sadly, they’re simply after a little bit of dialog.
Which doesn’t imply that you just want present it. Ignore the questions, name out a cheery greeting — “Hello, Mrs. Erskine!” “Good day, Mr. Lumpkin!” — and hold transferring.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’m presently staying with a household pal and her husband for just a few days whereas visiting my hometown.
The husband clearly isn’t pleased with me staying right here, so I’ve not interacted with him a lot.
On my second day right here, he requested my pal for a divorce. Now I can hear them combating, and the strain is insane.
Is it impolite if I simply keep away from him? At the moment, our conversations are barely existent.
GENTLE READER: At the moment? Your hosts are combating to the purpose of divorce, and you’re sticking round, listening? And your solely query is easy methods to take care of an ungracious host?
A visitor should even be gracious, even beneath extraordinary circumstances. The rule that applies right here is the one about occurring upon accidents: In case you will help, bounce in and achieve this. If not, don’t gawk — transfer on.
Miss Manners wonders why you didn’t go away in your personal sake if you seen that the host was sad along with your being there, for no matter motive. Absolutely the awkwardness and inconvenience you’ll have skilled would have been higher than being an unwelcome visitor.
What you would have mentioned to him and his spouse in your manner out was, “I want you each nicely.”
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.
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