DEAR MISS MANNERS: We were meeting up with longtime friends. Discussing types of vacations, I expressed some concerns about cruises -- specifically the effect they have on the environment in places with fragile ecosystems.
That’s when my friend told us she and her husband were going on a cruise to Antarctica. Yikes!
I fear I have offended her with a holier-than-thou attitude. How do I fix this? What should I have done?
GENTLE READER: How refreshing that you would not rather make it worse, in the name of Truth or Principles or Just Generally Making People Feel Bad.
The only way to handle this, Miss Manners fears, is to move on -- quickly and with an enthusiastic, “Oh, that sounds wonderful. You’re going to have so much fun!” The inconsistency is unimportant, and an extended apology really would make things worse.
(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)
COPYRIGHT 2023 JUDITH MARTIN
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