Mary Killen Mary Killen

Dear Mary | 19 January 2017

Also: my son’s academic rival is pretending he isn’t revising for mocks

issue 21 January 2017

Q. At a drinks party at Christie’s this evening my face was splattered with flecks of spit from the guest I was talking to. I desperately wanted to wipe them off but felt that would have been impolite (and in fact I had no handkerchief anyway). What is the top way to deal with this problem?
— F.I., County Down

A. Ideally you would drop something and then quickly wipe your face with your hand while your interlocutor is bending to pick it up for you. Should he/she fail to perform this courtesy, scoop it up yourself with one hand while wiping with the other.

Q. My son goes to day school in London and is preparing for mock GCSEs. His best friend,who is equally bright, has told him he isn’t bothering to do any revision and has advised my son not to bother either.

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