Miss Manners: Hold off putting neighbors in their place

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am wondering what is the best way to deal with an arrogant next-door neighbor. He and his wife are overly confident DINKS (double income, no kids), and any and every contact with them in the neighborhood is so annoying.

For example, the wife will offer her husband’s help with a problem because “he is the best with dealing with people,” or he tells people, “I work for a publicly traded company so anyone can go online and find out what I make,” or “I don’t do anything I can pay someone to do.”

I am in awe that people like this exist, but when you ask for a donation for a charity, they quickly run or have an excuse.

Should they be put in their place with a candid remark, or is it best to just avoid them?

GENTLE READER: It is never a good idea to put people in their place when they live next to your place.

Instead, Miss Manners wants you to learn to say, “How nice for you” without a trace of sarcasm. It is going to take practice, because that edge is going to slip in. But it would only antagonize your neighbors and give them the satisfaction of thinking that you are envious of them.

When you can say it straight and cheerfully, you can use it to respond to every such remark your neighbors make. It is the repetition that will get to them eventually. They keep finding new ways to brag, but you keep giving them the same four-word reply.

DEAR MISS MANNERS: My niece has been appointed as a judge. I plan to send a card of congratulations. Is there anything else I should do?

GENTLE READER: Such as clearing up all your unpaid parking tickets? Miss Manners would consider a handwritten letter of congratulation sufficient.