48 - Sunday, November 29, 1987 - North Shore News Lifestyles DEAR MISS MANNERS — I am not an animal iover. | don’t want any dog or cat, big or small, sitting beside me or at my feet or, worse, breathing on my back while I’m eating. When invited somewhere, I let my friends know how I feel about animals around me. I feel stressed and, to tell you the truth, come back literally sick, with a migraine headache, every time. I have passed my whole life pretending that animals didn’t bother me. I am now over 49 years old and have decided I am going to speak for my rights. When I am invited, I remind my friends and tell them that it is their home and their right to do what they want, and they don’t have to make any change for me. They in- sist that I go over and that they won't let the animal near me. You guessed it — the dog is either sitting at my feet, or on the couch near me, or breathing on my back while I eat. How do I get out of this situation gracefully, without making a scene? GENTLE READER — Miss Manners does not advise people to -use the plea of illness fraudulently. She does not wish to encourage smart-alecky children to claim allergies to vegetables they simply don’t like. But surely your propensity for migraine headaches from animals should, if made clear, be sufficient reason for your hosts to protect you. Your difficulty is that they do not seem to distinguish this from mere annoyance. Mind you, Miss Manners is not justifying annoying guests with the unwanted attcntions of pets, children or the hosts themselves, for that matter. A good host picks up every hint of a guest’s prefer- ences. . Unfortunately, people tend not to take seriously the possibility of other’s not loving their animals. Charmed themselves, they tend to believe that it is only prejudice and lack of exposure that keeps you from being charmed as well. You must gently disabuse them of this. The warning when you are invited, as well as any reminder necessary when you are there, should be: ‘You know, I get headaches from being around animals. Your dog is adorable, but I’m afraid I will suffer later.”’ DEAR MISS MANNERS — I was wondering if {1 is proper to eat all the food on your plate at a dinner party. People say it makes a statement to leave some food on your plate, even if it is delicious. GENTLE READER — Funny you should ask. The statement, as ar- Dress Shoes ‘and Boots Discounts to 50% CAPILANO MALL 986-4450 From every one of your col- or negatives for less than you pay elsewhere for . regular size prints. 5x7 Color pictures are twice the size of regular 314x5 prints : If you prefer 342x5 size you wil! receive. two prints for the s! same price. *Price includes film developing and printing one 5x7 print of each printable negative. Econo Color Prepaid service on all C-41, 110, 126, 135, and Disc film. . miss manners by Judith Martin ticulated in a Victorian etiquette rule, was ‘Leave something for Miss Manners.’’ This was not so much a welfare project for Your Devoted Servant as an indication that one had been amply fed. However, Miss Manners © has Jong since abolished the rule. Throwing away good food for the sake of manners offended |: :r, and besides, she wasn’t that hurry. . You may now properly finish everything on your plate provided you do not do it in such a way as to damage the finish on the china. DEAR MISS MANNERS — What is the proper response if yor'’ve sent a sympathy card to someone, ‘and when you sce them Jaler, they say, ‘‘Thank you so much for the | card — it was sweet of you.’’ Do you say, ‘‘Thank you,"’ or what? GENTLE READER — The ordi- nary response to ‘‘Thank you”’ is ‘You're welcome.’’ But in this case, the courtesy offered — the card — is so slight in comparison with the reason — the death — that one instead reiterates the sen- timents: ‘‘Oh, 1 was so serry to hear of your mother’s death; I remember her fondly; you've been very much in my thoughts,”’ etc. Sofa, 80x35, 31h...Reg. $2499 SALE $1999 + Chair, 35x31, 33h..Reg. $1499 SALE $1199 Elegant Upbolstery only at your Thomasville Gallery 4 ty oi Sofa, "84x35, 31h...Reg. $1999 SALE $1599 Chair, 31x36, 36h. .Reg. $1039.95 SALE $879.95 . exclusively at 4240 MANOR STREET, BURNABY ¥% Block West of The Sheraton Villa Inn Beautifully upholstered furniture is - an important focal point of-your . home. Nowhere can you find a more - varied or finely crafted selection than - at J. Collins. a In keeping with J. Collins’ demand for excellence J. Collins Upholstery is carefully handcrafted with the finest techniques and materials for lasting beauty and quality. J. Collins Upholstery offers a wide choice of fabrics. Or, you may pro- vide your own to fully coordinate - your decor. Come by your J. Collins Gallery today and see the beautiful selections. 7 Save up to 20% ON SELECTED FABRICS MON.-SAT. 9 to 5pm FRIDAY 9 to 9pm SUNDAY 12 to Spm 435-5566