Musician wants business `menu' to reflect the times
I am a musician who is regularly hired to perform at weddings. In the past, I have used the phrase “bridal entrance” to describe one of the services I provide.
However, I do not wish to discriminate against samesex couples or nonbinary people, and want to make that very clear in my descriptions.
Can you suggest some nongendered words that can be used to substitute for “bride” and “groom”? I have heard people suggest “nearlywed,” but to me this sounds a little cutesy. However, if you think this is a fine word to use, I will gladly do so.
If you are referring to announcing the couple's arrival, how about using their names? With the addition of “soon-to-be” if those names are about to change? This would not only solve the problem, but also be a huge favor to their guests.
Miss Manners would be remiss, however, if she did not point out that the whole practice of having a musician or DJ announce the marrying couple is unseemly in the first place. This is a serious occasion, not an awards ceremony. But she has no desire to put you out of business — only to point out, perhaps unkindly, that etiquette does not acknowledge your problem in the first place.
Our next-door neighbor sold his house, and the new neighbors have turned the property into an eyesore.
Their 3-acre lot looks like a dump now. They have piles of dirt, branches and trash piled 8 feet high in many places in their yard. There are broken vehicles, trailers, boats, etc., throughout the property.
The previous neighbor had a well-kept yard, and we enjoyed our view for many years. I am so sad I can no longer enjoy my view when I relax outside.
I want to improve the existing fence that separates our properties, extending the privacy fence to block their unkempt yard. My husband says it would be unkind to do that to our new neighbors.
As your neighbors have not considered your feelings in the yard aesthetic, Miss Manners assures you that you need not ask approval for improving your fence.
Please assure your husband that there is nothing unkind about it. Excessive noise or debris in creating the fence, however, should kindly be kept to a minimum.
My husband recently passed away, so I am tasked with writing over 50 thank-you cards. While I enjoy writing short, personal notes in each card, I would prefer to generate address labels because I am having difficulty squeezing long names on the envelopes. My children find this to be impersonal. What are your thoughts?
Setting aside Miss Manners' question of what exactly you are thankful for — she assumes you mean for condolence letters or attendance at your husband's service — it is also her preference to handwrite addresses. If larger cards and envelopes are not an option, she suggests smaller handwriting.
ACROSS 1 Sports headwear, for some It can be cleaned or analyzed Large deer What’s possessed by the overly selfpossessed? Espionage org.
Doesn’t rush Donations that get frozen
Pile
Beau ___ (gracious act) Landlocked West African country
Runs out of juice Dongdaemun Market’s city “Is it already over?” Chrysalis Interrupts on the dance floor Some hotel room door openers
Like last week’s bread compared to this week’s “Will it play in ___?” Sings loudly Great times App with passenger ratings Publication that might be sent by email
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“What a shame”
Taj Mahal feature Canadian gas brand Word before “hand” or “management”
Some quinceanera attendees Sgt., e.g. Price of admission “Well, what have we here?!” Polymath who wrote “The Rubaiyat” Half of a score ... or a perfect score Trees that line the National Mall “While My Guitar
Gently ___” DOWN 1 Chart-topper 2 “___ world where ...” Prez between DDE and LBJ Tavern order Big party Minutia “Lo-cal” or “lite,” e.g. No. on a business card
Super eager Visitors who are careful not to leave any footprints?
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Real-time play-by-plays Snake in “The Jungle Book”
Got hammered Has an outstanding tab
Do some division?
___ and cheese
Free, bite-size hors d’oeuvre Person being snuggled “Don’t go in there!”
Put your foot down?
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Frying needs Pleasant images used to recover from seeing something gross
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Nat “King” ___ Regretted Public transit option
Like presidents who are reelected Sign of a sold-out show?
Smug grins ’30s building style
Italian city with a law that protects stray cats Fiona of “Killing Eve” “Psych!” Name hidden in “rivalry” “You got it, captain!” Whiskey variety Gender pay ___ Middle of summer?