Miss Manners: How do I tell my thoughtful neighbors they have my name wrong without embarrassing them?

"Miss Manners" Judith Martin

DEAR MISS MANNERS: We have relatively new next-door neighbors who we see in passing each day. Today we found a lovely gift on our front steps with a card addressed to my husband (correct name) and me (wrong name).

How do I point out the mistake without overly embarrassing these thoughtful neighbors? Shall I write a thank-you note and sign it with our (correct) names or speak to them in a manner that will laugh off the error?

GENTLE READER: The thank-you letter is the easiest route, but if your neighbor persists in the error, you can blame yourself. “It’s actually Alison, not Angelina. I suppose my handwriting might be hard to read.”

(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

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