Story perspectives

Miss Manners on Toasting Faux Pas at Holiday Party

1/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

A colleague faced light-hearted admonishment for toasting with water instead of wine at a company holiday party.
Miss Manners notes that tradition discourages toasting with water, but correcting someone’s manners is rude in a work setting.
She advises against addressing dining habits and suggests gentle distractions.
In another case, a faculty member struggled to respond to an invitation due to confusing instructions, and Miss Manners urges apologizing for not replying.

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Story summary

A colleague faced light-hearted admonishment for toasting with water instead of wine at a company holiday party.
Miss Manners notes that tradition discourages toasting with water, but correcting someone’s manners is rude in a work setting.
She advises against addressing dining habits and suggests gentle distractions.
In another case, a faculty member struggled to respond to an invitation due to confusing instructions, and Miss Manners urges apologizing for not replying.