C2 - Friday, December 21,

1984 - North Shore News

Blackmail terrorizes suburbia

EAR MISS

MANNERS: Living
middle-class suburb,

in a
I am subjected to

suburbia blackmail several times a year.

People are no longer
sausfied with Tupperware
parties — they have
diversified into’ crystal,
cosmetics, jewelry, toys,
baskets, home decorating,
etc. ] think you have the idea.
Needless to say, | have had
enough! | believe a social
invitation is for socializing,
and | don’t appreciate feeling
pressured into bringing my
checkbook on the pretense of
having a social evening with

the neighbours, many of
whom, | might add, I have
never met prior to this

occasion. The whole business
smacks of exploitation and
manipulation of my good
will.

GENTLE READER —
Miss Manners shares your
indignation, but disagrees
with your analysis. Her
question to your. ersatz
hostess would be not, ‘‘Can’'t
you find another way to
entertain?’’ but ‘‘Can’t you
find another way to make
money?”’

It as a tremendous
advantage to commercial
companies to get people to

use social connections and
pressures to make. sales.
Exactly the embarrassment

you describe, when one feels
obliged to write a check for a
friend when one would have
no trouble turning down an
unknown. salesperson, 1s
what they are counting on.
You may certainly refuse

tO participate in this
exploitation. If you are
invited to such an event, you
may certainly say, ‘I'd love

to see you some time when
you're free, but I’m afraid !

Just don’t lke shopping
Parties’’; and if you find
yourself at one without
warning, you may leave as

soon as the wares appear,
telling your hostess, *‘ Thank
you — I was so glad to see
you, but if everybody’s going
to be shopping now, I think
I'd better run along.”’

DEAR MISS MANNERS:
| have an aunt and female

cousin who think they are
God's gift to the entire
female race. | do not care for

them, and they do not care
for me.

Check this out: The cousin
is getting married and | told
my aunt | intend to bring a
boyfriend to the wedding.
She said, with a smirk on her

face, ‘‘Ha, ha — if you ever
meet one.’’ After that
unnecessary, cruel remark,

she asked me to help find a
recepuon hall, and | said,
‘*‘Forget it, find one
yourself.”*

Also, the bride-to-be wants
me as a bridesmaid. Would it
be rude of me to refuse? She
never invited me to any of her
parties, and now she justs
wants to show off. 1 am 30
years old.

GENTLE READER —

You wouldn’t consider
declaring yourself mature
enough to set an example of
politeness, would you?

Miss Manners will offer
you a compromise. You

needn't be a bridesmaid; you
may even refuse by saying,

NEWS photo Terry Peters

SOLOISTS listen to Jennifer Kellough rehearse for part | of Handel's Messiah which

will be performed Saturday
seniors $4.

. Dec. 22 at West Van United Church at 8p.m_ Tickets $5,

. FLOOR STOCK

|

a =

a

oY “

FURNITURE

SALE

30% to50% OFF! |
) ALL FLOOR STOCK ITEMS|,

: SALE STARTS FRL., Dec. 7th |

MON. TO FRI. 10:00 to 5:30

SATURDAY 10:00 to 6:00
Or by Special Appointment

Laidler

2972 GRANVIL L bE AT 10TH AVE

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**Thank you, but I think i
would be better for you to

choose your fnends.’’ If you
agree to attend the wedding

miss manners

by Judith Martin

with your mother (whose
presence should protect you
from your aunt’s insults) and
offer your best wishes with a

Straight face, you may then
go home and have a good
laugh over the fate of the
bridegroom.

CITY OF NORTH VANCOUVER
CHANGE IN GARBAGE SCHEDULE

Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25, 1984

and

Boxing Day, Wednesday, December 26, 1984

Garbage collection tor Tuesday, December 25, and Wednesday, December 26, will
be made on Thursday and Friday. December 27 and 28th Garbage normally col-
lected Fridays will be picked up Friday and Saturday, December 28 and 29th No

other changes in schedule

DOOR CLOSES FOREVER

SAT.

ALL

DEC, 22 at 5:30

WEATERS

4 | held

100% lambswool - reg. priced to >7Q°°
Long-sleeved pullovers and vests
10 great colors, plus Argyle patterns
SIZES: X-small, small, med., large, X-large

THE PERFECT GIFT

MEN

LOVE THEM,

TOO!

Happy Holidays

wr The Carriage House LE

18TH STREET AT MARINE DRIVE
WEST VANCOUVER