Miss Manners: Highschool senior desires to maneuver to the ‘fun table’

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’m a highschool senior who often sits with my buddy Oliver in English class. I’ve recognized him for a few yr and we get alongside very effectively and hang around outdoors of college since we solely have one class collectively.

We don’t truly speak a lot on this class. I’ve seen he has problem focusing so he can’t be distracted from his schoolwork and our regular shared actions aren’t actually one thing to be doing at school.

I seen in the present day that the desk behind the place Oliver and I sit has about 5 folks they usually have been having a reasonably superb dialog for many of sophistication. I may hear them making some very witty remarks in regards to the present task they usually talked so much about TV reveals I take pleasure in.

I’d wish to ask the trainer if I can transfer to the enjoyable desk however I are not looking for Oliver to really feel like I need to keep away from him or don’t take pleasure in his firm, he’s only a bit boring compared.

How ought to I inform Oliver about my resolution with out him forming nervousness over it? Also I don’t need him to really feel disregarded as just one different particular person sits at our present desk and she or he doesn’t actually speak to both of us.

GENTLE READER: As a rule, Miss Manners considers herself an advocate for any Gentle Reader who has sought her recommendation. Not, in fact, if the intention of the question is to justify rudeness or to be combative.

But yours is neither. Rather, it’s the laudable intention of stopping your pleasure from leading to one other’s desolation.

So far, Miss Manners is with you. But maintain on a minute.

Your criticism about Oliver is that he doesn’t speak at school a lot. He concentrates on the subject material. So it will be much more enjoyable to affix the hilarious group that isn’t paying consideration.

And you might be interesting to a grown-up that can assist you?

How about making use of a few of that sensitivity to others? You may start with the trainer — who, frankly, ought to have damaged up that desk of wits; then the scholars who’re within the topic; and maybe your personal dad and mom, who trusted that you just have been at school to study.

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DEAR MISS MANNERS: I lately got here throughout a Victorian-era serving piece described as a “Victorian lobster dish.” I had not beforehand seen dishes designated for lobster, nor had I seen any that had a lobster determine because the deal with of the divided dish, as this one does.

What recipe for lobster would use a flowery, divided serving dish?

GENTLE READER: Lobster and dressing? Lobster salad? Lobster risotto?

This isn’t the meals division, however Miss Manners, who maintains that one doesn’t want elaborate gear to entertain, is nonetheless charmed by the Victorian craze for specialization. Still, she is not going to report you if you happen to use it for crab salad.

(Please ship your inquiries to Miss Manners at her web site, www.missmanners.com; to her e mail, [email protected]; or via postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)