DEAR MISS MANNERS: Are you able to simply ask everybody to please depart a bathroom plunger by their bogs?
I believe I will need to have an unusually sturdy bathroom at dwelling, whereas a few of my pals have weak ones. I by no means appear to clog the bathroom at dwelling however all the time do at different folks’s homes.
It’s so embarrassing to ask somebody the place their bathroom plunger is. Do I sneak round the home in search of one slightly than ask? Do I wait till dinner is over, if dinner is in progress? Do I attempt to lure my host right into a separate room to talk privately?
Everyone, please, can you retain a bathroom plunger by the bathroom, or no less than in a closet inside your lavatory? You then’ll by no means have to speak to me about plungers once more.
GENTLE READER: Deal.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: A lady in my neighborhood was not too long ago horrified and heartbroken when she witnessed a coyote taking away her cat.
I perceive the trauma this brought about. Nevertheless, I needed to applaud the knowledge of nature.
I had been equally aghast when that $@%#* cat crushed one, then one other, then a 3rd hummingbird proper exterior the window the place I get pleasure from my morning espresso. Fortuitously, my espresso cup was within the saucer or I might have misplaced it.
I do know there’s loads of proof that free cats kill tens of millions of birds every year. This isn’t nature; it’s irresponsible folks imposing their pet preferences on the remainder of us and the birds.
GENTLE READER: Since nature has taken its course, Miss Method trusts that you’ll now go towards yours and be type to this lady if you see her. She has misplaced her cat to the circle of life — and your idea about nature’s morality is not going to seemingly ease the ache.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: We perceive that in COVID, plans needed to change and weddings needed to be postponed. Nevertheless, what’s the protocol for disinviting individuals who acquired “save the date” playing cards for the unique marriage ceremony in 2020, however who is not going to be invited to the rescheduled occasion?
Within the mail, we acquired a proper invitation for the rescheduled black-tie affair, however included in the identical envelope was one other card. It learn as follows: “In gentle of the present circumstances and state restrictions, we should restrict our visitor rely. Please settle for our apologies. We’ll miss you and know we’re collectively in spirit.”
Is it regular to ship each the official invitation and the disinvitation in the identical mailing? As an alternative, shouldn’t it have been a marriage announcement after the actual fact? It’s a little complicated and curious. Inquiring minds wish to know what Miss Manners would say on this scenario!
GENTLE READER: That it’s double the insult to attract additional consideration to what a disinvited visitor might be lacking. An announcement after the actual fact would, Miss Manners agrees, have been much more gracious.
Please ship your inquiries to Miss Manners at her web site, www.missmanners.com; to her electronic mail, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or via postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas Metropolis, MO 64106.
