Q. What should I do when other people in church begin clapping, for example following a confirmation service or a wedding? I cannot bring myself to endorse this terrible breach of etiquette by clapping myself, but it seems terribly pompous not to join in with the enthusiastic crowd.
Name and address withheld
A. Clapping is quite out of place in church but we must be thankful for the presence there of those who do not know this. Just act daft, as do those who do not wish to offer the sign of peace. Either kneel and pray or simply stare ahead with a silly look on your face. The moment soon passes.
Q. I have been invited to a wedding in Ireland. I have an aunt, who lives almost next door to the bride’s home, with whom I can stay for the weekend. Now other guests, finding there are no convenient hotels nearby, have begun to text and Facebook me asking if they can stay at my aunt’s house too. My aunt has some spare rooms but I just can’t ask her to put up hordes of strangers as well as myself. It is bound to make me unpopular with fellow guests if I turn out to be the only one staying conveniently nearby.
Name and address withheld
A. Ask your aunt whether any of her neighbours would be prepared to provide bed and breakfast on an informal basis. There is a shortage of money in Ireland at the moment. Not only will there be many willing takers but once your aunt computes how she could swell her own coffers with only 48 hours of disruption, she will probably want to bag some punters for herself.
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