This article offers advice on how to handle two delicate social situations. The first concerns a friend's recent disastrous trip with the wife of the husband's boss. The author anticipates a potentially awkward encounter and seeks guidance on responding if asked about the trip. The second situation involves the author's mother-in-law's habit of dropping in unannounced for dinner, interrupting meal preparation and causing inconvenience. The author seeks suggestions on how to politely communicate the need for advance notice before visits.
Two years ago, I introduced my close, longtime friend, Nora, to Lauren, an acquaintance whose husband is my husband’s boss. To my delight, they hit it off -- so much so that a few months ago, they decided to go on a three-week trip together. The vacation was a disaster. The women fought constantly. As my close friend, Nora spared me no details. I will most likely have to socialize with my husband’s boss and his wife soon.
How should I respond if Lauren asks me what Nora said about her and their trip together? I have a feeling she will ask. The last thing I want is to inflame the situation and to be placed in a tight spot.One generally assumes that the boss’s wife is not the pork-chop-throwing type of hostess, but given your friend’s reports from the trip, you are right to be prepared. A ready answer to a question of, “Did you hear about the trip?” can save you from having to outright lie: “Oh? How was it? Did you two have a wonderful time?” If the boss’s wife is smart, she will also be prepared: “It was such a remarkable place. Are you and your husband getting away this summer?” But if she is not, you will be able to listen passively until an opportunity presents itself to run away.The other night, around 6 p.m., my mother-in-law came to our house without a call or text. Just randomly showed up and started talking to us in the dining room. I was in the middle of cooking dinner, and had timed it so that I could do other things while the food was in the oven. However, that was interrupted when she came by. After 15 minutes, I took the food out, added sauce and put it back in for an additional 5 minutes. She saw me do this, and instead of leaving since it was clearly our dinnertime, she pulled out a kitchen chair and sat down! I’m not sure how she failed to read the room. What is the best way to let her know, without seeming rude, that she should call or text before just popping in
SOCIAL ETIQUETTE MOTHER-IN-LAW VISIT UNANNOUNCED GUESTS FRIENDS BOSS's WIFE AWKWARD CONVERSATIONS
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