Each week, Miss Manners answers questions exclusively from the MSN audience on all of your etiquette dilemmas. (Have an issue you want help with? Send in a question today.) Read on for this week's hot topics:
DEAR MISS MANNERS,
I respect your tact & diplomacy, so I'm presenting my touchy issue. My mother is the epitome of narcissism. When I call her long distance to see how she's doing (she's 78-yrs old) she can talk "I, me, mine," for 2hrs without once checking to make sure someone is still on the phone or if they are interested in what she's saying.
I try to be respectful & not interrupt or call her on her selfish rudeness. This happens on most calls with her. I don't know how to let her know that her behavior prevents the desire to call her or answer her calls. I have a sister & 3 brothers who feel the same. What would you suggest?
GENTLE READER,
Can you teach her to text? Miss Manners grants you that it will not be easy, but it will be easier than teaching her unselfishness.
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DEAR MISS MANNERS,
So I have been dating my boyfriend for 4 months now. When we first started dating, he was as sweet as can be and always trying to see me when he could.
He is taking six college classes right now and he lives with his parents, so they're strict on him about his school. I understand he has a busy schedule, and he also wants to have time to see his friends, but I feel like he's not making me one of his top priorities anymore.
We see each other almost every day, but when we do, it's only for an hour or two every time. I tell him I want to see him more, but he makes me feel like I'm being selfish for feeling this way.
Last weekend was our four months' and he had only made plans to hang out with me that one night out of the whole weekend, and he didn't understand why it bothered me. Am I being selfish or is the way he is handling things unfair to me? What should I do?
GENTLE READER,
Find something else to do on weekends. Otherwise, Miss Manners assures you, you will have even more free time.
Judith Martin's latest book is No Vulgar Hotel: The Desire and Pursuit of Venice. She is also the author ofMiss Manners' Guide toExcruciatingly Correct Behavior(Freshly Updated). She and her husband, a scientist and playwright, live in Washington, D.C. They have two perfect children, of course.
