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Miss Malsy on
Manners
Q: After I got
back from a fabulous vacation in London, a friend
asked about my trip. Halfway through my answer,
she looked at her watch and said she had to run.
Should I be offended or did I talk too long?
A: If you recall saying something along the lines
of, “And then in the fifth display case at the museum.
Or was it the sixth? No, that was the ecclesiastical
door knocker . . .” I’d say your friend’s premature
departure was an attempt to avert soul-numbing boredom,
or homicide.
It may be difficult to accept, but holidays are a
lot like children: much less fascinating to those
who haven’t had them than to those who have.
The circuitous route to the Peat Moss Museum? The
unique shape and sound of your hotel toilet? The
prolonged bartering session for the William and Harry
tea cozies? These are details only the vacationer
herself could love. But assuming you kept your account
brief and breezy, something other than word-weariness
may be at play. If your friend lacks the time, money,
confidence, or health that travel requires, she may
secretly resent your foreign exploits.
Next time, share sensitively: Don’t gush about Globe
Theatre box seats or rave about Cotswold treks to
a pal facing knee surgery. Instead, invite your friend
to high tea, emphasize how much you missed her, and
ask about the goings-on in her life. Chances are,
she'll be in no rush to leave.
—Kristina Malsberger
Have a travel etiquette question? Send
it to Miss Malsy at highroads@arizona.aaa.com |
