Greetings, Miss Manners I’ve received several lunch invitations from a coworker, but I just cannot afford to go out. I don’t want to talk about my financial condition, but I also don’t want to think she’s treating me badly. I hate to keep making excuses, but I have.
PERSONAL READER: Then agree without talking about your financial status or demanding payment from anyone. Let’s say that you have been taking lunch to work and that you would want to eat with her if she wants to do the same.
Stories by
Judith Martin
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Greetings, Miss Manners One of my coworkers has indicated on a few occasions that she has a grown son with special needs and must return home to him, thus she is unable to attend some work-related events.
I believe she is comfortable discussing it because she has brought it up a few times. How can I inquire about her son without seeming intrusive?
Gentle Reader: It would be appropriate to inquire right after the son is brought up in relation to one of the invitations.
Miss Manners can be reached by email at [email protected], via her website at www.missmanners.com, or by mail at Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
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