Q. Recently an old acquaintance, notorious for never penning a ‘thank you’ note, emailed me telling me he was being nominated for an honour and asking would I support the nomination. Immediately I emailed back my agreement. Subsequently I was contacted by his sponsor and I sent the requested letter of support by return. To my disappointment, I have received no thanks nor even an acknowledgement from nominee or sponsor. Mary, how should I give them a tap on the shoulder to alert them to their bad manners?
— Name and address withheld
A. As you should know — having been honoured yourself — the person being nominated should theoretically not know of his or her nomination, and practically should pretend not to know. To behave as your correspondent has done is a disqualifying solecism. If you have already provided your letter of support it is too late to do anything about it — you should have known better.
Q. A village woman, who lives alone, walks through my right-of-way most days. I am fond of this woman and we usually have a chat about the weather or other bland subjects, but we are not friends as such. I am concerned she has begun to let herself go — she wears the same skirt every day and the hem is muddy. Her glasses are so heavily smeared I am surprised that she can see through them. Mary, I feel that lockdown may be getting to her, but how can I enquire if all is well without sounding de haut en bas?
— Name withheld, Glos.
A. Find a pair of glasses lying around your house, smear them heavily and have them ready to wear next time you see her on the right-of-way.
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in