DEAR MISS MANNERS: I work at a busy fast food restaurant. I am proud to say that it is one of the cleanest and friendliest places I have ever worked.
We allow guests to request unlimited sauces and refills at the counter, but provide easy access to napkins, utensils and other condiments in the dining room. Guests are required to clear their tables of trash, but we do clean tables and chairs.
My problem is with guests who use a 3 inch stack of napkins, don’t use them all, then leave them on the table after they’ve cleared everything away. Same with sauces/condiments: they take a handful, don’t use them all, but don’t throw them away either. They should take this stuff home with them, because we have to throw it away for health reasons.
It’s like they think the next person sitting down will say, “Lucky for me, there’s already a stack of napkins here from the previous person! I’m sure they’re in good shape. Let’s use them.” And what about that ketchup packet their child had in his mouth but left on the table? Is the next guest supposed to use that, too?
The other side of the coin is the guest stocking their pantry with “free” condiments, but that’s another story.
My general message is: only take what you need!
DEAR READER: Your public service announcement has been received.
Perhaps the restaurant could consider posting a sign that says, “Please bring only the number of napkins and condiments you need to enjoy your meal.”
Miss Manners would find it ironic if they refused, saying it would be a waste of paper.
DEAR MRS. MANNERS: Should a person apologize if he or she does not realize that he or she has done something wrong? While staying at a friend’s house, my husband stole the covers all night. When I told him what he had done the next morning, he curtly replied, “I didn’t know,” but did not apologize.
When I told him I would apologize if the situation was reversed, he replied that he did not need to apologize because he was not aware of his wrongdoing. Who is right?
FRIEND READER: Ah, the old “but I didn’t mean to” defense. To which Miss Manners would reply, “Well, I sure hope not.”
If you were planning to steal the blankets (or step on my foot or hit me with your car), that would be a very different conversation – perhaps with criminal repercussions.
Accidents are always subject to excuses because they have consequences for the victim. They should be accompanied by a commitment to be more vigilant in the future, even if this may be impossible to guarantee for the perpetrator.
Please send your questions to Miss Manners on her website, www.missmanners.com; to his email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or by mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
