Mary Killen Mary Killen

Your Problems Solved | 21 June 2003

Etiquette advice from The Spectator's Miss Manners

issue 21 June 2003

Dear Mary

Q. My new wife, I have discovered, has a disturbingly communal disposition. From a large, somewhat boisterous family, boarding-school bred and a once committed Girl Guide, she thinks nothing of barging into the bathroom during my ablutions. Worse still, she seems intent on conversation with me, particularly when I’m on the loo. Without appearing neurotic, and being careful to avoid offence, how might I go about breaking her of such habits before the glow of an otherwise promising coupling begins to fade?
H.B., Mudgee, NSW, Australia

A. You do not mention whether your wife performs her own ablutions in front of you, but, in any case, whether hailing from a large, boisterous family in Australia or not, she should be discouraged from going any further down this very personal path. The reason? It is one thing to be uninhibited about these matters when one is young and beautiful with a taut, silky body.

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