"When I attempt to turn the other cheek (pun intended), she firmly redirects me back into position. I am at a loss for how to address it. The only silver lining of masking up was that it provided a natural barrier, one she thankfully never tried to bypass. But now, I find myself wondering: Should I start wearing masks again just for her?"
"The thought of bringing it up feels awkward, especially since she is a warm, generous and genuinely kind person. I just suspect she may have missed a crucial lesson in personal boundaries. GENTLE READER: The tried and trusted I don't want you to catch anything, said before your friend gets a chance to lock in, is an option. If, after doing this several times, she gets suspicious and accuses you of not being sick, Miss Manners suggests you say, See? It's working."
A friend insists on kissing another person on the lips and redirects any attempt to avoid the contact, with masking having previously prevented the behavior. A simple, preemptive line such as "I don't want you to catch anything," delivered before the greeting, can serve as a polite deterrent. If the excuse is challenged, a follow-up response like "See? It's working" reinforces the boundary. Separately, a ticket-buyer often invites friends to events who delay responding or cancel late, creating last-minute difficulties and uncertainty about how to phrase invitations or whether to contact multiple potential guests at once.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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