Etiquette Advice, Please
Two of our friends are turning into a Sniping Couple, the kind who show no remorse at arguing and undermining each other when out for an evening with another couple (that's us). I usually just tune and and ignore until a Sniping Squall passes. Has anyone found a way to tactfully and effectively prevent public sniping from marring a pleasant evening?
posted by kStyle @ 6:53 PM
3 Comments:
Wow; that sounds remarkably unpleasant. i'll try to remember to see whether Miss Manners has anything to say about it; I adore her and I know you do, too.
Otherwise, I'm coming up with all these diplomatic things, when I'd probably blurt out something like, "hey you guys, cut it out; save the bickering for later, okay?"
I've tried to think of something, but all I can come up with is "There's no help for these two." If they're willing to air it in public they might as well start dividing up the furniture now.
What you should do is decide if their company is worth the discomfort and a.) stop seeing them, b.) only see them in private settings or c.) learn to enjoy the George and Martha show and keep hanging with them at the swanky venues.
Of course you should also get it out in the open and let them know that you see this behavior and it harshes your mellow. One way or another,that in itself might take care of it.
Narya: Thanks for checking with Miss Manners. My mom came up with a pretty good solution, which is to cut them off at the pass lightly: "So, how 'bout those 49ers?" or something equally absurd.
Larry: I don't know where you got the swanky vibe from me. I'm flattered, but the truth is: Grad school poor. The other truth is: most of the bickering happens when we're trapped in the car with them, nowhere to run. Ick ick ick.
...We'll see how it goes next time. Thanks for the encouragement re harshing mellow. Love that expression.
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