DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was invited to a birthday party at a local restaurant; it is a cuisine I’m not terribly fond of, although I can usually find something. I went because the guest of honor is a dear friend. However, I wasn’t planning to eat anything and the restaurant doesn’t have a liquor license, so I chose not to drink.
I finally gave in and ordered an appetizer because several well-meaning friends wouldn’t accept my “Nothing for me, thanks” as an answer. (Don’t get me started on the number of suggestions I received regarding wine and beer.)
What’s ruder: Not eating at a restaurant because it makes others around me uncomfortable, or pushing me to order when I’ve tried to politely decline?
GENTLE READER: The reason Miss Manners does not play the “Which is Ruder?” game is that the prize invariably seems to be the victor using the win to justify a third rudeness -- be it repeating the original offense or rudely correcting the loser’s manners.
(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
DISTRIBUTED BY ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION
1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106; 816-581-7500
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