Mary Killen Mary Killen

Your Problems Solved | 20 August 2005

Etiquette advice from The Spectator's Miss Manners

issue 20 August 2005

Dear Mary…

Q. My wife and I have had a number of people to stay at our seaside house this summer. We are writers and since most of our friends are what would be called ‘arty types’ we are usually a very relaxed party. Nevertheless I still feel ill at ease when hosting breakfast in pyjamas, which is usually the case, because of the insecure aperture of the traditional pyjama trouser. Should one inadvertently give offence, what is the correct apology? How do other men manage to keep the aperture from gaping when in mixed company?
C.B., Aldeburgh, Suffolk

A. It is almost impossible for a pyjama-wearer to avoid giving offence when helping guests with breakfast, stretching up to get things off the top of dressers, or squatting down to load croissants into the bottom oven of an Aga.

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