Manners Matter: Jan. 15, 2016

Dear Mary Pat,

My friend and I don’t share anything in common with our beliefs. When it comes to religion and politics, we are 100 percent opposite. That doesn’t bother me. What does bother me is the little digs that she makes at my expense, especially if there is an audience. We aren’t really close or anything but I don’t know what possesses her to constantly want to spar. It gets exhausting. Should I bother saying anything to her?

You Be You and I’ll Be Me

Sturgeon Bay, Wis.

Dear You Be You and I’ll Be Me,

There are a lot of people who disagree on everything these days. The political climate leading up to the election really doesn’t help matters either.

I would just ignore this woman’s comments since she is probably looking for a reaction. It is not likely that you will change her opinions and doubtful that she will change yours, especially if she argues with insult. She is hardly going to win someone over with that strategy. So many are smug and overly confident in their opinions and that is not an endearing quality. Let her prattle on and don’t let her get under your skin. Let’s hope she will one day have the maturity and grace to be an adult and learn how to interact with others in social settings.

Good luck,

Mary Pat