Miss Manners
from page 6
GENTLE READER: Take out the words “birthday” and “party.” What you have created is a suggestion that people you know should pay to go to a public facility at the same time as you. Miss Manners is afraid that that does not qualify as an invitation. And it certainly does not solicit thoughts of adding a present. DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have completed a kitchen remodel after my house flooded. I had to do this on a budget because my insurance only paid a small amount.
I think it turned out beautifully. However, whenever guests come over, they comment about the remodel and offer suggestions for things that they wish I had done differently. If it was just one person, I would let it go, but it’s a continual problem, and it’s always a different suggestion. It’s not like there’s one huge eyesore they all point out; these are small things they mention, which are really matters of personal preference. I believe these people are well-meaning, but after everything I’ve been through, I am just so glad to be done with my remodel and moving on. Please help me with an appropriate response.
Where to find the new Reader
It’s delivered all around the River by the 15th of each month. Here’s the list of handy, regularly-refilled sidewalk box and rack locations where you can pick up a copy any time of day and even in your bathrobe:
LONGVIEW U.S. Bank Post Office Bob’s (rack, main check-out) In front of 1232 Commerce Ave In front of 1323 Commerce Ave YMCA Fred Meyer (rack, by service desk) Teri’s Grocery Outlet Fibre Fed’l CU - Commerce Ave Monticello Hotel (front entrance) Kaiser Permanente St. John Medical Center (rack, Park Lake Café) LCC Student Center Indie Way Diner Columbia River Reader Office 1333 14th Ave. KELSO Heritage Bank Visitors’ Center / Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce KALAMA Fibre Fed’l CU Kalama Shopping Center corner of First & Fir McMenamin’s Harbor Lodge WOODLAND Visitors’ Center Grocery Outlet Luckman Coffee Antidote (rack) CASTLE ROCK Lacie Rha’s Cafe (32 Cowlitz W.) Parker’s Restaurant (box, entry) Visitors’ Center 890 Huntington Ave. N., Exit 49, west side of I-5
RYDERWOOD Café porch TOUTLE Drew’s Grocery & Service
CLATSKANIE Post Office Chevron / MiniMart Fultano’s Pizza WESTPORT Berry Patch Wauna mill (parking lot) RAINIER Post Office Cornerstone Rainier Hardware (rack, entry) Earth ‘n’ Sun (on Hwy 30) El Tapatio (entry rack) Grocery Outlet DEER ISLAND Deer Island Store COLUMBIA CITY - Post Office WARREN Warren Country Inn ST HELENS Chamber of Commerce Sunshine Pizza St. Helens Market Fresh Olde Town: Wild Currant, Tap into Wine Safeway SCAPPOOSE To find the 24/7 Post Office pick-up point Road Runner nearest you, Fultano’s visit crreader.com and click “Find the Ace Hardware Magazine” tab. WARRENTON, OR Fred Meyer CATHLAMET Cathlamet Pharmacy Tsuga Gallery Cathlamet Realty West Puget Island Ferry Landing SKAMOKAWA Skamokawa General Store NASELLE Appelo Archives & Café Johnson’s One-Stop
32 / Columbia River Reader /August 15, 2021
GENTLE READER: “Oh! We never thought of a disco mirrored backsplash. But we were actually really pleased with how the remodel came out ...”— with enough of a pause afterwards, Miss Manners suggests, that the implied “I am sorry to hear that you think otherwise” remains implied. DEAR MISS MANNERS: A young couple two houses away announced this summer that they’re expecting twins. Although we’re not overly friendly, I did purchase two baby blankets. When I saw the husband recently coming out of his garage, I gave him the gift bag with the blankets, saying it was just a little gift to welcome the new arrivals. He thanked me, and I went back into my house. I’ve not heard a word since, nor received a thank-you note. It has me wondering if the husband went back into the garage and continued working on his project and forgot all about it.
agree to have cooperative meals — the key word here being “agree.” And although someone provides the venue, and someone organizes the food assignments, no one is really a host or a guest. It is true that hotels speak of “guests” when they mean “paying clients,” but it should still mean “someone who is entertained by a host” — a host being someone who arranges the occasion and provides whatever is necessary. It does not mean being asked to eat your own dinner at someone else’s house. And all that scrambling over the grill sounds like an unpleasant way to do so. ••• Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
I guess I’m wondering if, the next time I see the wife, I should casually mention it. Or should I just let it go? GENTLE READER: Mention it: “Did Joshua ever get those blankets to you? I am afraid that I ambushed him by your garage the other day, but we do so want to commemorate the twins’ birth.” Miss Manners feels certain that the next time you come to visit, your present will have been safely rescued from its hiding place underneath the car. DEAR MISS MANNERS: My family and I have once again been invited to an annual barbecue party at the hosts’ summer house. And once again, we have been instructed to bring our own food to be grilled, as well as a side dish to share. The hosts will supply paper goods and dessert. I can no longer take part in this travesty. This isn’t a party in the tradition that I know, where the hosts open up their home and provide the basics (food and drink). I can stay home and grill my own dinner, rather than share one grill with all the other guests trying to maneuver their own dogs and burgers. Do you agree that hosts shouldn’t have a party if they demand that guests bring their own food? GENTLE READER: It is the terminology that bothers Miss Manners. Families and friends may
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