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The 'Other Woman' at Company Affairs

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What can be said or done to discourage people from crowding me like that?

And what can be done to discourage people from going around issuing unwarranted dirty looks?

Just a guess, but Miss Manners doubts that the lady was banging her handbag against you for sport. She is not likely to have known that she was doing it. So a civil statement, delivered with an understanding smile -- "Excuse me, but your handbag has been knocking against me" -- would have brought forth a cessation of attack and an apology.

Miss Manners wishes that once in a while, people would give one another the benefit of the doubt.

Dear Miss Manners:

I was asked to furnish the wine at my grandson's wedding -- which I was happy to do. The leftover wine I brought home, and I stored it. My grandson says it's their wine. I say it's mine. What's proper?

What could be more decorous than a grandmother and grandson fighting over leftover booze?

It would be proper for you, as the elder, to put a stop to this debacle by allowing him to take it.

E-mail your etiquette questions to Miss Manners atMissManners@unitedmedia.comor mail to United Media, 200 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016.

2008Judith Martin

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