Just then, as I took a sip of wine, my boss said something hilarious. I instantly laughed, as did everyone else, but I spewed droplets of red wine onto the macaroni and cheese. My boss did not see it, but I'm pretty sure others did. I took a clean tissue and quickly dabbed my spit droplets from the casserole's top. Some attendees saw me do this, others did not.
What should I have done? Announced my gaffe and removed the casserole entirely from the menu? Refrained from macaroni-blotting?
I feel that my question bears weight, especially when our society moves back toward socializing without masks.
Not a good idea, especially if you and your funny boss are around.
Before the pandemic, this is the sort of blameless gaffe for which you should have delivered a hilarious confession that would make everyone sympathize with you. Schadenfreude would have kicked in, and some people would have said that a little wine didn’t hurt, while others would have just skipped that dish.
Your other choice would have been to change your name and move to another country, taking the offending macaroni bowl with you.
But we have all learned a different standard of hygiene, and nobody is going to laugh at what would now be considered a deadly weapon.
So please do not let this happen again. If it did, you would have to make an abject confession to your boss, insist on ordering rapid takeout and polish your resume.
Dear Miss Manners: My wife and I are blessed with a wonderful family. The problem is that one of our kids likes to give us outsized books as gifts.
These are NOT coffee-table size: The latest is 20 pounds. These books are on subjects that we enjoy, but it's just not comfortable to read them. What would you advise?
An idea for your children on the next occasion that they want to give you a present: a lectern, with adjustable height, so that you can use it while seated or standing. Meanwhile, if you have a sturdy music stand around, try that. (Total disclosure: Miss Manners has art books like that. She reads them on the floor.)
If you just want smaller books, she suggests talking enthusiastically with the givers about the subject matter or an illustration, and volunteering to show it to them. Then you say, “But would you mind holding it for me, please, as it’s too heavy for me to manage.”
2021, by Judith Martin
March 11, 2021 at 03:00PM
https://ift.tt/3eK4ARb
Miss Manners: Pre-pandemic gaffe seemed funny then, but alarming now - The Washington Post
https://ift.tt/3eOfySK
Funny
No comments:
Post a Comment