{"id":3445,"date":"2026-07-01T08:39:22","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T08:39:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=3445"},"modified":"2026-07-01T08:39:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T08:39:22","slug":"miss-manners-also-there-are-finger-snapping-gangs-in-my-alley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=3445","title":{"rendered":"Miss Manners: Also, there are finger-snapping gangs in my alley"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div>\n<p><strong>DEAR MISS MANNERS<\/strong>: Will you please write something about people not talking from their windows, especially from a second-floor window to someone below at the door?<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=3444\">Who\u2019s playing in the World Cup today? TV schedule for July 1 with USA-Bosnia<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>GENTLE READER<\/strong>: While she agrees that it is impolite to yell at all hours and disturb the neighbors, Miss Manners cannot agree to the more absolute ban you seek. It would do away with a sizable portion of the opera and musical theater repertoire.<\/p>\n<p><strong>DEAR MISS MANNERS<\/strong>: I have a nice friend who goes out of his way to do kind things for me. I\u2019m an independent woman, but I\u2019m also a new real estate agent who doesn\u2019t make much money yet, so I appreciate it when he picks up the bill!<\/p>\n<p>He has previously expressed romantic interest in me, which I thought I had quashed. But three times in the past four days, he has paid for outings and\/or meals for me. In one case, out of a group of six people, I learned that my meal alone was on him (which he says was an accident). The next night, at another group dinner with friends, he pulled the waiter aside to pay for my meal and no one else\u2019s.<\/p>\n<p>After the third event where he tried to pay, I put my foot down. We are not in a romantic relationship and I want to keep it that way. After dinner, I said, \u201cThanks! I sent you $50 electronically.\u201d He then lost it and told me to leave.<\/p>\n<p>I asked why he keeps insisting on paying for me, and he said I\u2019m the only one who has a problem with it.<\/p>\n<p>I know there are much bigger problems in the world right now, but I was raised to say \u201cthanks\u201d and contribute where I can.<\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=3442\">Mexico fans use a homophobic chant during the World Cup match against Ecuador<\/a><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve tried using humor \u2014 joking that he\u2019s my dad, hoping he gets the message. His constantly paying for me, but no one else in our group of friends, makes me feel controlled and uncomfortable.<\/p>\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<p>I want to continue to be friends with this person, but don\u2019t need him paying my bill every time. Can you think of another way to send this message?<\/p>\n<p><strong>GENTLE READER<\/strong>: While falling short of making you feel like his wife, your friend\u2019s actions declare him to be your date. But as that was without your consent, and far from your intention, Miss Manners is afraid that you have to insist that his paying for your meals has to stop.<\/p>\n<p>If he persists, you must explain that it will not result in his being promoted to your boyfriend. Instead, it would lead to his no longer being your friend of any kind.<\/p>\n<p>You might add that you would regret that outcome, if you want to soften the blow.<\/p>\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, gentlereader@missmanners.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=3440\">Richmond considers tax measures to address decades-old fire department needs<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Plus: I&#8217;m uncomfortable with this man always picking up my dinner tab.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":90,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3445","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advice"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - 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