Respect for workers

Dear Miss Manners: I work in customer service, and I would like to remind people that, no matter what’s going on in the world, cashiers are people too. We did not make the rules, but could face consequences if customers refuse to follow them. In the past few days, as regulations change in my corner of the world, tempers are growing shorter, and I find myself and my co-workers to be a sort of lightning rod for customers’ frustrations. We are cussed out, insulted, spit on and threatened over things like no longer carrying items that were discontinued several years ago, or for gentle reminders about the new regulations. Being kind to others is not a political stance. And spitting on a waitress, hostess, cashier or service worker is not going to change anything except your ability to return to the establishment.

Gentle reader: Even casual rudeness to service people is despicable. What you describe is horrifying evidence that there are people among us who are outside of the realm of civilization.

Dear Miss Manners: As a female, is it inappropriate for me to give gifts of flowers to other females, or to males? What about potted plants, on occasions when I go over to someone’s house? Do the same rules apply when giving flowers to little children? Are there any colors/species that are totally inappropriate to give — like, say, red roses for somebody else’s husband?

Gentle reader: Flowers are for everyone. Flowers were once considered to convey coded language, and there is still some symbolism in a few of them, but a mixed bouquet can usually get around even that.

To send a question to the

Miss Manners team of Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin, go to missmanners.com or write them c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.