DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a neighbor, “Mr. Griffin,” who is an artist. He gave one of his paintings to his next-door neighbor. Several months later, Mr. Griffin presented me with one of his paintings, which I hung in my family room.
The lady next door to Mr. Griffin stopped to visit me one day and saw the painting on my wall. Imagine my shock when she told me that it was the same painting Mr. Griffin had previously given to her! He had asked for it back, then obviously gave it to me. It was very unnerving for me and uncomfortable for her.
We both tried to laugh it off, but it was very awkward. How should I have handled this situation?
GENTLE READER: You handled the current situation as best one could. The real question is, what do you intend to do when Mr. Griffin requests the painting back from you so he can give it to the neighbor across the street? Miss Manners is tempted to suggest you prepare a card for the wall that says, “Currently on loan to the Biddles,” but suspects it will be easier to keep the peace by handing it over when the time comes.
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(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.)
