Neighbor writes awful poetry and then insists on reciting it to the letter writer.
An acquaintance of mine has taken to writing poetry. It’s awful: full of unnecessarily obscure words, commonplace observations presented as profundities, tedious self-ruminations, etc.
I’ve heard enough to last me a lifetime, but whenever I encounter this individual, they announce excitedly that they’ve written a new poem and ask me if I’d like to hear it. Before I can respond, they pull out their smartphone and begin reciting. This individual lives in my apartment building. Short of moving, what can I say or do?out moving? It strikes Miss Manners as a reasonable response to living in fear of surprise attacks of amateur poetry.
A few years ago — after a 10-year courtship — they got married at a private ceremony far from home. We had a local reception planned for a few weeks later and sent “save the date” cards to the whole family. Unfortunately, we had to cancel the reception due to the pandemic.My daughter only received one card and a few “congratulations” messages online.
To answer what Miss Manners believes to be your real question: As exchanging presents is customary in your family, that tradition should not have been canceled along with the party. But what shocks her is that many seem to have failed to acknowledge the marriage at all. Whether those who did so sent informal electronic messages or used cards does not seem that important.Ask Elaine: My partner has been tempted to cheat multiple times.
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