DEAR MISS MANNERS: We have fairly nice neighbors on either side of our fence. Our outdoor seating area is approximately 20 meters from that of each of our neighbors.
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We live near a forest and get to hear lovely birdsong, owls at night, etc.
One neighbor likes to spend most of the day outdoors and has made comments about how she longs for “a quiet life.”
In light of this, is it OK to speak at a normal volume when I’m in my garden? Or should I be hushing my tone a little?
When I’m drinking coffee outdoors with my husband and children, surely it is not bad etiquette to have a normal conversation at an ordinary volume. I don’t want to upset my neighbor, but nor do I want to have to whisper in my own garden.
GENTLE READER: You and your family may, Miss Manners assures you, speak at normal volume on your own property — with the caveat, perhaps, that if any of you gets excited and the sound level goes high, you keep it in check.
Except perhaps to say loudly, “Shhh, let’s be respectful of the neighbors!” just so you get points for effort.
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My partner and I went on a short vacation to a city where an old friend of mine lives. I called her months ago, asking to stay with her and her partner for one night, but she said she didn’t have room.
I have known this woman for 45 years and have stayed with her at least 20 times in the past. Still, not a problem — we booked a lovely place to stay and had a great time.
Originally, she asked us to come and spend the day at their place, then go out on their boat and stay for dinner. Then, last minute, she said that wouldn’t work, either.
So I asked if they wanted to come into town (an 11-mile drive for them). She said yes. They came to the hotel, where we all had a beverage (that we provided) out by the pool, and then went to a restaurant where I had made …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
