Miss Manners (was Re: Carnets de bal)

Alex Tweedly

Message 6052 · 10 Jan 1997 03:14:48 · Fixed-width font · Whole thread

> I see that Miss Manners has lifted her eyebrow over booking ahead. I think
> there is broad agreement that booking ahead is not in the best interests of
> SCD. Still, it seems awkward to turn down an invitation to dance, even in
> advance.
>
> So, what is a polite and gentle way to repond to someone who had honored you
> with the kind thought of booking a dance?

Smile sweetly, and say that you prefer not to book ahead (*), that you
would *love* to dance with them should the opportunity arise later,
and if you happen to find yourselves near each other later on when a
new dance is forming, you should certainly do that one together.

(*) circumstances dictate whether or not you explain why you prefer
not booking ahead, but even if you feel some explanation is
appropriate, Miss Manners suggests you express this in a reasonably
non-judgemental way ;-)

-- Alex.