26 - Sunday, March 16, 1986 - North Shore News

Bathe naked only
with good friends

DEAR MISS MANNERS —
I have moved from the
prurient West to the laid-
back West Coast, and along
the way have acquired a hot
tub.

miss
manners

by Judith
Martin

Coincidentally — or not — 1
still frequently see a number of old
and new friends of the Sankat-
chewan persuasion. I enjoy enter-
taining at my home, and am
always in a quandry regarding the
appropriate approach to varying
degrees of undress. E.g., although
1 wouldn’t think twice about step-
ping in with my friends and ac-
quaintances, especially in my own
house, should I:

1. Tell my friends that dress-un-
dress is up to the individual.

2. In a spirit of cautious empathy,
wear a bathing suit, thereby setting
the tone in this matter.

3. Or assume-announce that suits
are not customary in my tub, and
further sassume-announce that
nevertheless, suits will be tolerated
if the wearer insists and-or that
those who would feel uncomfor-
table need not participate, or
what?

P.S. How do 1! address my
_parents on this matter?

GENTLE READER — The last
one is easy. You say, ‘Mommy,
Daddy, did you know people
generally go in these tubs naked
together?”” and, depending on
whether they reply, ‘Oh, boy!”’
“What?’?) you can either say,
“Want to try it?”’ or ‘Of course, I
was properly brought up."’

The question about guests is
more difficult, and solution one
and three are terrible. You do not
embarrass guests by making them
either declare themselves in a way
that leaves them open to teasing,
or submerge their real feelings, as
it were.

Nor is it every proper to have
separate dress standards for guests
at the same party. You would not,
Miss Manner trusts, invite some
people to come to dinner in black
tie, and instruct others at the same
party to wear blue jeans because
you assume they don’t feel com-
fortable in evening clothes,

One solution is simply to give
bathing suit parties for your
friends from the Midwest. At
worst, you will disappoint them
until they make timid inquiries
about local practices, and you can
reply, ‘‘Well, we certainly can take
these off if you want.’’

Another is to ask them ahead of
time whether they prefer ‘West
Coast style’? or bathing suits.
While this has the same meaning as
making them say whether or not
they wish to bathe naked, the ef-

Call Classifieds
986-6282

fect is different because you are
making the difference

regional, rather than

sound — psychological.

~ DOWN QUILTS; 3 different qualities
Duck Down ‘Twin size $4 793
M80 a available me “double, : queen,. king .

“Capilano Draperies

1641 Lonsdale, N.V. 988-5621

The Sun & ex;

INVITE ALL BRIDES-TO- BE
TO ATTEND THE WELCOME WAGON

Bridal Party

March 18 at Coach House Inn

FEATURING:

® Brides & Groams Planning Guides
* Wedding Planning Tips

¢ Fashions © Displays » Gifts

* Prizes * Wine Sampling...

WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO:

« Coach House inn « Andres Wines
« Halimark Cards

« Flower designs by Cosette

* Airborne Video

»* Vancouver Party Rentals

¢ Garry Robertson Music

* « Mirror Image

photography

«© Peaches *

‘
\

Contour Rugs $24.99

100%

\
\

Cream

' « Colors by

Corrine

com ty

100% COTTON
REVERSIBLE RUGS

A new product from
1
4

Newmark Rug Co.
Reg. 34.98
Lid Covers $10.99

Srelderass

COTTON TOWELS
ROYAL VELVET
CLASSIC & FACETS

Save

Plush rabbits are specially
priced for this event

“WHERE BEAUTIFUL BATHROOMS HAPPEN” SINCE 1962

PARK ROYAL NORTH 926-5835 OAKRIDGE 266-8811

EBSA SAAN PLT ECORI RR SY Dear ED

LANSDOWNE 273-7538

FRANCHISE INFO. 683-9688

RTOS