Miss Manners: I don’t like what strangers say about my kids and my husband
DEAR MISS MANNERS I would love your thoughts on how to respond firmly to these statements Related Articles Miss Manners What do I say to their implication that my grandchildren aren t real Miss Manners I get vulnerable in front of a man and then this happens Miss Manners Don t they know that work email isn t private Miss Manners I just ascertained out what my mother-in-law has been saying about me Miss Manners I m heartbroken to think my friend sent this mean text to our whole group I have three well-behaved children but when we go anywhere people remark You have your hands full It s announced with a negative tone I love my kids and don t want them to hear unwelcome remarks My husband is a larger person and oftentimes random strangers will call him big guy or boss I think it s rude to draw attention to his size GENTLE READER In both cases Oh thank you Miss Manners promises that no one will dare explain that their comment was not intended as a compliment DEAR MISS MANNERS I have been friends with someone for years We used to do everything together and were even roommates for a while Then she met a wealthy guy at the coast I have met him a handful of times and he inevitably seems nice They are now married and live on a yacht My husband and I spend greater part of our summer vacations at the same coastal town where they live They have invited multiple people to come and spend weekends with them on the boat however we have never been invited Not even when we are in town for a week Not for so much as a glass of wine It s not about the boat it s just that I feel that something is off Maybe her husband doesn t like us but she would never tell me that They invite us to their children s weddings and there have been several and we dependably show up with a gift in hand They only invite us to events where we feel obligated to bring gifts my friend never wants to get together and just catch up with each other Is it time to give up and accept that we are no longer friends GENTLE READER But you are still friends or you would not be invited to family occasions Please save that common accusation about gift-grabbing for invitations from people you hardly know The fact is that a large number of friendships do change in intensity over the years It could be that the husband feels less compatible with you and your husband It could be that instead of his making an effort to know you they have just not thought of adding you to their joint circle It could be that as you are already staying in their town they don t think of having you as houseguests on the yacht And it could be any number of other reasons Miss Manners subjects that you think it has to do with their money Why And in that event why would you think them eager to squeeze a wedding present out of you Related Articles Dear Abby We thought we were talking privately but it was caught on her doorbell video Asking Eric I signed a prenup and now I m resenting this situation Harriette Cole How do I confront my husband about what I ascertained in the laundry Miss Manners What do I say to their implication that my grandchildren aren t real Dear Abby Is it wrong of me to be stashing away money so I can leave It is not time to give up it is time to realize that you are not as close as you once were and could be again someday DEAR MISS MANNERS I occasionally email businesses for matters such as product information What is the correct salutation to use when the recipient and their gender is unknown To whom it may concern seems cold GENTLE READER Just how warm are your feelings for these businesses and their unknown representatives Miss Manners promises you that no one will feel lovelorn if you use that business salutation Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website www missmanners com to her email gentlereader missmanners com or through postal mail to Miss Manners Andrews McMeel Syndication Walnut St Kansas City MO
