Southern charm aside, there’s no polite way to call someone stupid
Dear Miss Manners:
With the advent of current events being headlined via social media, what is the proper way to inform a participant that their information is false, including verification, without this Southern gentleman’s informing said offender that he/she may be the stupidest creature ever to draw breath? Gentle Reader: Well, not that. No matter how much Southern charm you dress it up in.
If one were to go around correcting and berating everyone who spoke an untruth, one would do little else. And the fact that this behavior is being modeled by people we nevertheless elect to office does not excuse it.
If you wish to shield yourself from lies and propaganda, Miss Manners suggests that you disengage from offensive social media. Doing so provides a much more pleasant existence and allows you to maintain friendships that might otherwise be dissolved.
If you cannot resist engaging, she would limit you to the occasional response that the offender “might be mistaken,” accompanied by corrected information. But as it is as easy to manufacture and call up incorrect “facts” as correct ones on the internet, do not be surprised if that person comes back for more and the battle continues. Visit Miss Manners at missmanners.com, where you can send her your questions. Andrews McMeel Syndication