My kids are 10 and 14, and lots of in their buddies nonetheless do no longer have mobile phones. It feels a bit absurd for me to coordinate plans for my 14-year-old, however I don’t know the way else he can get in contact together with his phone-less buddies. Is there one thing I’m lacking? How do different oldsters do it?
If there’s no different manner of verbal exchange in your teen’s phone-less buddies (pill, electronic mail, and so on.), then coordinate you should. Yes, it’s going to really feel absurd, and without a doubt it’ll be extremely embarrassing to all teenagers concerned — however at that age, the whole thing is.
On the upside, it’s not the worst factor to grasp — and alert different oldsters — to what your kid is doing. Miss Manners presumes it’s the number one explanation why oldsters do no longer let their youngsters have cell telephones within the first position.
Dear Miss Manners: I’ve long past to the similar hairstylist for years. We know many of us in not unusual. She has requested me greater than as soon as if my granddaughter and her fiancée live in combination, and she or he has additionally requested about my son-in-law’s oldsters’ divorce.
I think susceptible when she has scissors in hand or when she is blending chemical compounds to position on my hair. I’m bearing in mind converting salons to keep away from those non-public questions. If I discuss up, what will have to I say? It’s not that i am just right at status up for myself.
Then rise up, as an alternative, in your family: “I am not authorized to speak on behalf of my family members’ personal situations, but tell me, how are things going around here?”
At which level, the hope is that your hairstylist will release into stories about herself or about any person else’s non-public lifestyles — one thing you’ll track out or deflect. Clearly your hairstylist relishes gossip, however Miss Manners will danger a wager that she most certainly does no longer a lot care whence it comes.
Dear Miss Manners: An acquaintance stopped by means of uninvited. I didn’t thoughts that he got here; I don’t thoughts the corporate, most often.
To be well mannered, I presented him a cup of espresso, which he permitted. I requested if he sought after milk or sugar. He mentioned he sought after sugar and cream. I instructed him that I do no longer use cream, and due to this fact don’t stay any readily available. He was once very angry and impolite and instructed me that I will have to at all times accommodate visitors and stay it to be had.
Remember, he was once uninvited. When inviting corporate over for espresso, I’m extra prepared to deal with visitors and purchase one thing that I will be able to no longer use, however no longer for an acquaintance who simply came about by means of in the future. How a lot will have to I be prepared to deal with uninvited visitors?
Exactly as a lot as they’re accommodating you by means of appearing up unannounced.
New Miss Manners columns are posted Monday via Saturday on washingtonpost.com/advice. You can ship inquiries to Miss Manners at her website online, missmanners.com. You too can observe her @ActualMissManners.