a DEAR MISS MANNERS — I wish to know what is the correct response to a new and increasingly prevalent form of impoliteness — people refusing to notice ‘one’s existence. by Judith. Martin Examples of this sort of thing inctude potential * employers who never answer or even acknowledge job applications and inquiries, - people who premise to phone back and never do, messages to be forwarded that never get forwarded, or dates who stand up their partners without a word ef _ explanation or a trace of emberrassment. Is there anything to be done about such amnesia, o¢ ; - is it wise to ignore it as best one can? GENTLE READER — As long as you are open to the occasional, convincing ex- planation -— “I was having emergency surgery and tried _ to call you first but passed out during .the attempt’? — “you may make the. general assumption that people who ignore you want to. avoid | you. But you have lumped together some quite different ' Situations, requiring reac- tions that range from a phil- osophical shrug to taking | high insult. If you have sent an ap- plication to a movie studio - asking if there is an opening - for a star, you cannot expect 42 - Wednesday, July #7, 1985 - A troubling amnesia North Shore News the consideration you should get from someone who asked you out to a movie. If you are ignored by a store from which you planned to buy something, the best response is to go elsewhere; if you are ignored by the store's credit department when you at- tempt to correct a wrong bill for which you are being dunned, you might want to go to a lawyer instead. The key factor is whether the non-caller, corporate or personal, had an obligation toward you. Anyone al- tempting to avoid a business responsiblity should be cold- ly pursued, and anyone avoiding a social contract (an overly fancy way of say- ing breaking a date) in this manner should be coldly dropped. The philosophical shrug is for those who use silence to tell you that your unsolicited professional or personal hopes are doomed. Miss Manners assures you that the comfort of being able to - blame them for not replying is greater than that of listen- ing to them spell out why they don’t want you. DEAR MISS MANNERS — Is there some rule of eti- quette about appearing too young? tT am a divorced, indepen- dent businesswoman in my mid-30’s and am constantly HOME FURNISHINGS - Werehouse/Showroom OPEN TO THE PUBLIC {2 biks. behind the Avalon) at 1075 Roosevelt Cres., N.Van. 12:4 Sin 9O0-B/38 But if you want fall scenic experience of” majestic Howe Sound, our Boatrain excursion is an unforgettable adventure...” All aboard the mighty Royal Hudson, over trestles and through tunnels along the rugged coastline to Squamish. Then cruise back through spectacular Howe Sound in spacious comfort on the MV Britannia. Or make the trip in reverse; oday.. os reserve an n adventure by land and sea mistaken for a substantially younger person. f am fre- quently asked for ID when purchasing beer or wine and, astonishingly, 1 have even been asked for proof of age at R-rated movies when my feenage children were with See Is Page 43 Think About k! National Forest Week May 5-11, 1985 fo a et ee ~e hahaa Sara THEY ARE BOTH ON SALE! | INCLUDES THE ULTIMATE IN COMPU- BUILT-IN BUTTONHOLER TER SEWING e PROGRAM AND 6 UTILITY STITCHES as SIE catsonesih Sat Zs Races : {| LIBERAL 8) 49 &MUCH, MUCH MORE! TRADE IN # $50 MINIMUM ALLOWANCE FOR YOUR , OLD MACHINE EES SEWING CENTRE 742 WESTVIEW VAN. 986-1341 Unforgettable. . BOOK NOW! : Tickets c can be , purchased a British Columbia. For information and res calleither: | “Tourism British Cohimbia nee . ‘Robson Square, 800 Hornby St. 1311 WE First Street” Vancouver, B.C. “ON. Vancouver, B, 660-2501 987-521 it’s just as much fun! ROYAL HUDSON STEAM TRAIN SOCIETY