Best Miss Manners: Because I grew up in a strong evangelical house and ran painfully away from those beliefs, religion is an emotionally disturbing subject for me, one that I can only discuss with that very close to me.
A few months ago I was admitted to the hospital for a few weeks. Most of that time I shared the room with a very friendly, talkative woman who had been in the hospital for a long time.
Although she still needed medical care, she was clearly recovering; She was bored, a bit lonely from her long stay and happy that they have a new roommate to talk to.
It immediately became clear that she was a dedicated evangelical Christian and the only thing she wanted to talk was religion. I started making short, non -binding reactions and trying to change, but my lack of enthusiastic reaction made her decide that I had to be ‘saved’.
For the rest of our time to share the room, I was bombed by “Give your heart to Jesus” call, which I found disturbing.
Because I was confrontation Avers and already on the border of emotional overload, I resorted to as if I would sleep to prevent a conversation. I was exhausted and slept more than normal, but not 23 hours a day!
Eventually she was fired and the problem left, but I wonder if there was a way I could have ended this to sit and shout: “Would you keep your mouth shut about religion?” (What, believe me, was seductive.)
I know how I can stop these kinds of things at work, and I can be butter with family and friends, telling them that we should drop the subject or spend time spending time. However, I was no longer in this situation. I couldn’t just leave.
Soft reader: Although she opposes making every etiquette problem in a medical question, Miss Manners is willing to make exceptions in a hospital environment – where many things you are used to for yourself, need for the time being.
If a friend cannot talk to your roommate, ask a nurse or doctor to tell her that you are easily tired – and that, because of your own history, the subject of religion is particularly burdened.
Best Miss Manners: When is it acceptable to specify the end time of an event?
In general, if I invite guests for dinner, I ask them to arrive at a certain time, without end time given. But for a child’s birthday party one would invite guests, for example from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., so that parents know when they have to pick up their children.
If I organize a cocktail party, is it acceptable to invite guests from, for example, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., so that it is clear that this is not a dinner? What about a reception where the location is only rented for a certain number of hours? What is the rule?
Soft reader: Specifying a time for the party about the invitation is fine – as long as you do not intend to maintain it.
Send your questions to Miss Manners on her website, www.missmanners.com; To her e -mail, gloereeader@missmanners.com; Or via Postpost to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
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