Awkward Moment

Dear Miss Manners,

I'm a FEMA worker earning my living by the sweat of my brow and whatever goods I can loot. I'd just scavenged through a damaged home and was headed out with the swag in a container, when much to my chagrin, I found the homeowner standing in his yard, yelling that I had his personal property.

I was dumbfounded, taken aback by this whole turn of events. I asked him what I should do with the bin filled with items. It's shameful for me to have to repeat his words to a lady such as yourself, but he told me "Put it back in my f - - - - - - house!"

I did as I was bidden, and yet this man still called the police and had me arrested.

So I ask you: what is the socially correct manner of interacting with homeowners when interrupted stealing their property?

Sincerely,

Frank Charles Tanner

Dear Mr. Tanner,

Much like regifting a gift back to someone who gave it to you in the first place, your situation was a nightmare. However, there is no point in planning what one would say in an unexpected situation. For instance, should one walk in on a couple having sex in one's office, one will always blurt out, 'Hey, what are you doing?' when it's perfectly obvious exactly what they're doing."

During an awkward encounter, you conducted yourself with politeness and gentility in the face of a gentleman who was behaving in a coarse and common manner. That is the best one can do.

Regards,

Miss Manners

Posted by floridacracker at January 12, 2006 06:20 PM