Why won’t anyone help save the planet?
DEAR MISS MANNERS: Living in a city that generates massive quantities of plastic waste on a daily basis, I can’t pass an overflowing garbage can or notice litter blowing down the street without thinking about where it will end up.
If I had my way, single-use plastic would be strictly limited to essential functions, such as in medical equipment or gloves to handle hazardous material.
I wish more businesses encouraged their staff to ask customers before adding, say, plastic utensils to a food order or a plastic sleeve over dry-cleaned items. I don’t mean to cause offense, and the last thing I would want to do is annoy staff who are just doing as they’re instructed.
When I have made requests to people in my own life to be mindful of their plastic consumption, they have responded defensively, leaving me feeling even more cautious about approaching strangers. Do you have any suggestions for ways to handle these conversations respectfully?
GENTLE READER: We live in a very imperfect world. Fortunately, many people feel compelled to right wrongs — just not always the same ones.
But we can all agree that our cause is too important to give way to others’ — or to normal rules of decorum, like not haranguing strangers in the street.
Miss Manners would have thought it was self-evident that doing so is counterproductive.
Make your case to people who are able to effect change — at times when they are listening, and using language that will convince, not alienate, them.
DEAR MISS MANNERS:
I found out through social media that my ex-father-inlaw passed. My ex-motherin-law posted a photo from a celebration of life that had been held for him.
My ex-husband’s new wife forbade him from having any contact with me, but I am still friends with his mother online.
Would it be all right if I were to send her a condolence card, or should I just ignore it?
GENTLE READER: The opinions of current spouses regarding with whom you should, or should not, associate should be heard, if not necessarily always followed. Those of former spouses have no such standing.
Miss Manners does not mean to encourage you to do something merely to annoy. But sending a condolence note is a kindness to your former mother-in-law. Explaining any passage of time is as easy as noting that you only recently became aware of her loss.