Perspective | Miss Manners: Should couples sign greeting cards for each other?

I’ve to confess that I used to be just a little shocked that everyone did not signal their very own names at the moment. Like, they have been all sitting proper there, collectively.

An apart: After I was married, my husband would by no means signal a card I used to be sending, however pitched a match if I refused to signal a card he was sending. I used to be confused by that.

You’ll forgive Miss Manners if she pitches her personal match over the impersonal nature of greeting playing cards within the first place. Including eight signatures to it feels much more insulting — as if a treaty is being signed, not a want for a swift restoration.

The right factor to do is to write down the phrases out — and Miss Manners is sorry to let you know, however just one particular person can do this. Nevertheless, you possibly can add: “Tito provides his want that you just get higher quickly.”

Sure, one particular person within the couple goes to get off straightforward. So Miss Manners suggests that you just take turns or commerce doing this for one more job.

Expensive Miss Manners: My spouse and I labored diligently to encourage good manners in our boys as they have been rising up, and now that they’re adults, we really feel typically happy with their progress — aside from one new factor.

They’ve each begun to eat terribly quick, and never simply when grabbing a noon sandwich whereas working remotely. Even in good eating places, we watch them tear into their meals, ending as my spouse and I are simply beginning. They are not messy, simply quick.

We have now talked about this discreetly to each of them, explaining how their velocity can depart others feeling uneasy, whereas depriving the desk of welcome dialog. However they do not appear to see it as an actual downside, and all the time neglect after we once more share a meal.

Is there one thing good-natured, however nonetheless “impactful,” that my spouse or I can say when this happens? (Clearly solely when it’s simply the 4 of us; we wouldn’t embarrass them in entrance of different visitors.)

Mother and father, even of grownup youngsters, are nonetheless entitled to precise concern over well being and manners. However the former could also be simpler for these youngsters to … ahem … digest.

“Wow. You boys have to be hungry, however I’m anxious that along with your speedy consuming, you would possibly choke. Please attempt to decelerate in order that we will all benefit from the meal and dialog collectively.” If this isn’t efficient, Miss Manners feels sure that consuming like this in entrance of potential romantic companions might show extra so.

New Miss Manners columns are posted Monday via Saturday on washingtonpost.com/recommendation. You’ll be able to ship inquiries to Miss Manners at her web site, missmanners.com. You can too comply with her @RealMissManners.