There was a time when bringing a bottle of wine to a cocktail party was thought-about considerably insulting, as if the visitor couldn’t rely on the host to serve a good wine.
For all Miss Manners is aware of, that should still inspire some guests, though the follow has turn out to be widespread to the purpose of being unexceptionable.
Nevertheless, it must be thought-about a gift and never a contribution to the meal. It is probably not a sensible choice with the meals being served, for one factor. And usually, folks convey one bottle — which is okay for a gift, however is probably not sufficient to serve the variety of guests.
So the reply is that it’s possible you’ll serve it for those who like, however should not obligated to take action — wherein case, add to your thanks that you’ll sit up for having fun with it later.
Dear Miss Manners: I had a good friend ask the place I had bought a present so she may return it. When the shop wasn’t in her space, she requested if I would return it for her. It wasn’t the incorrect dimension, and he or she didn’t have already got one. I genuinely thought she would really like it, and my emotions had been harm.
When giving presents, I attempt to give one thing that I assume the individual will like. When receiving a present, even when it is not what I would have chosen for myself, I at all times thank the individual and make a degree to attempt to actually get pleasure from it.
Gift receipts are nice, however not all shops supply them. For this individual, I guess I’ll be shopping for reward certificates sooner or later. But actually, gift-giving isn’t a monetary alternate; it’s the joyful ideas that matter, isn’t it?
Well, it was. Nowadays, many individuals appear to assume it is a chance to order issues with out having to pay for them, and having the ability to return them if they don’t swimsuit.
A present certificates is just not what Miss Manners would recommend on the subsequent event for getting this ungrateful individual a gift. Rather, it will be a letter humbly acknowledging that your guesses at pleasing your good friend have failed, so you possibly can solely ship your warmest needs.
Dear Miss Manners: Is a textual content acknowledgment required for birthday or anniversary playing cards acquired within the mail? My dad and mom at all times ship me a textual content thanking me for playing cards, and anticipate me to do the identical. I thought thank-you notes had been solely required for presents.
Etiquette doesn’t require thanks for playing cards until they include private letters. Your dad and mom, nonetheless, do. Miss Manners would contemplate it the wiser course to go together with your dad and mom’ needs reasonably than argue with them about guidelines.
New Miss Manners columns are posted Monday by Saturday on washingtonpost.com/advice. You can ship inquiries to Miss Manners at her web site, missmanners.com. You may comply with her @ActualMissManners.