Dear Miss Manners: What would be the tactful way to say “no presents but a money tree” for a birthday party?

Gentle Reader: “Never mind all that junk – just gimme your wallet.”

Dear Miss Manners: I sometimes find myself in social gatherings where people are discussing some social or political issue with a single point of view clearly preferred by most or all other members of the group, when it is a point of view I cannot bring myself to share.

I am aware that sometimes (as in the case of climate change), this occurs because of my scientific background and my thus having certain knowledge that most people do not, while it sometimes (as with discussions involving sports) has more to do with in inclination toward contrariness, a character trait I am working, with so far limited success, to reduce.

My personality traits aside, is it rude to respectfully share a fact that flies in the face of the apparent group consensus?

An example: “You may not know this, but for the past few years, there has been a trend among scientists toward skepticism regarding global warming. Many feel the media is hyping the issue, and several have asked the U.N. to take their names off the report.”

Or is it better to remain silent and allow the discussion to continue on its course with more and more agreement, though I find it sad that such lovely, well-educated people could hold such ill-informed opinions?

On a similar note, what of disabusing a friend of a charming but mistaken notion when he shares it with me? If you would indulge me in two actual examples, I shall illustrate:

He: I saw you riding your bike yesterday. That’s great for your health.

Me: There was a “code orange” air pollution advisory yesterday, so it was probably bad for my health. But it’s good for my sore knees, so I do it anyway.

He: I saw you riding your bike yesterday. That’s great for reducing your carbon footprint.

Me: Actually, lots of cars put out less carbon dioxide per mile than I do, huffing and puffing down the street. I was riding because my office is only four blocks away, and I don’t want to ruin my car with short trips.

My wife is (possibly properly) horrified by exchanges like this, while I feel it is not only being truthful, but also sharing information they might be able to use and apparently don’t have. After all, I don’t want to be responsible for encouraging them to do something that would have an effect opposite to the one they want.

Who’s right?

Gentle Reader: It is not enough for you to supply the dialogue; Miss Manners would have to hear you speaking it and check out your audience.

She can imagine your words about the environment being said pleasantly, in the clear spirit of “Well, there is another side to this,” in a free-wheeling conversation among dedicated but open-minded friends. The bicycle comments could be offered jovially, in the tone of I-only-wish.

But your wife’s reaction worries Miss Manners. It seems only too likely that you are enjoying your dissentions far too much. That is your cue to stop.