DEAR MISS MANNERS: An previous school buddy contacted me as a result of her mom was in a nursing residence, unwell. I had been near her mom — to the entire household, in reality — at one time, though I had not heard from her in about 20 years. (There was no rift, simply busy lives in several components of the nation.)
I accepted the invitation to come back go to her ailing mom and to remain in my buddy’s residence. They dwell in a metropolis about 1,200 miles away. I drove on the market (my choice), which took three days and two in a single day stops.
On the night I arrived, my buddy advised me that her grownup son had come for a shock go to. He was occupying the visitor room; I must keep elsewhere.
There was a little bit of hassle — discovering a spot to remain on the final minute in an unfamiliar space — and a little bit of expense, however it all proved manageable. However I’ve generally puzzled: What can be the proper factor for a hostess to do in such circumstances?
GENTLE READER: Put the son on the couch.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I’ve gone to a number of eating places which have valet parking.
When strolling into the restaurant, there’s a signal saying that there’s an $8 service cost for the parking. Will we simply pay the service cost, or will we give a tip along with the cost?
GENTLE READER: Restaurateurs are attempting to alter the commonsense that means of “service cost.”
To Miss Manners, and in commonplace utilization, it implies that the worth of service is already on the invoice. However now, it isn’t included in the price of meals — presumably as a result of the homeowners don’t wish to scare you by seeming to lift costs, and determine that you simply received’t discover whether it is listed individually.
Subsequently, when you really feel sorrier for the waitstaff or the valet parkers than the homeowners do, it’s best to nonetheless tip. Miss Manners does.
That’s not to say that she lacks sympathy for the trials of the restaurant enterprise. If meals prices the eating places extra, it’s only proper that they cost extra. However she may do with out that little subterfuge.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: Are you able to please advise me on find out how to rapidly and politely finish a name with a customer support agent after the problem I’m calling about has been resolved?
The brokers typically proceed to ask if they’ve addressed all my wants and if there’s the rest they’ll do for me. This seems like a script that they’re required to learn.
I wish to simply get off the cellphone. Typically I’ll simply say, “Thanks, you’ve been useful” after which grasp up, however that doesn’t fairly really feel proper. What do you assume?
GENTLE READER: That in fact it’s a script, not an try by the brokers to lengthen the pleasure of conversing with you. And that it isn’t a lot of a burden to answer, “Thanks, goodbye.”
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.
