Miss Manners: How can I keep my outings a secret from the neighbors?

DEAR MISS MANNERS I live in a high-rise in a large retirement group Related Articles Miss Manners I can t be expected to help every lady with her carry-on bag Miss Manners I was attacked online and my wife s family refused to take my side Miss Manners Should I cancel the dinner because of my friend s unwelcome companion Miss Manners Was the bride s note weird or insulting or both Miss Manners The bride screwed up What can she say to smooth things over I run into various neighbors in the lobby on the stoop and in the hallway every time I am leaving or returning I am unfailingly urged where I am going or where I have been I am not settled sharing this information but I don t want to be rude How can I respond GENTLE READER With a cheery Just out or Running errands accompanied by a smile and a wave and no attempt to slow your gait for follow-up questions DEAR MISS MANNERS Do I need to place a fresh unused bar of soap in the guest bathroom for every new guest I host Sometimes people stay for just one night Tossing soap that s only been used once seems wasteful Doesn t soap clean itself with every use GENTLE READER Does it Miss Manners has often wondered about the mechanics of that herself As long as the soap is adequately inspected and cleared of debris she sees nothing wrong with reusing it Just promise not to let it devolve into that weird splintering thing it becomes when it has clearly seen too several guests DEAR MISS MANNERS I attend a small college of about students Although I am on friendly terms with countless of them my close friend group is about five people Lately I ve been dealing with clingy folks who don t give me space They will demand conversations as late as p m walk with me wherever I go and whenever they see me they want to talk for over an hour When I try to set boundaries by gracefully excusing myself to assessment they sometimes still follow me It s not just studying for which I excuse myself either Sometimes I would just appreciate particular time alone to read or call a friend Is wanting time alone a legitimate reason for excusing myself And if they still refuse to give me that time alone what are your suggestions GENTLE READER Telling someone that you would rather be alone than have to endure their companionship is discourteous But the good news is you do not need an excuse at all I m sorry but I really have to go I will catch up with you later is all Miss Manners suggests you say And then run DEAR MISS MANNERS Like multiple old women I object to being called young lady and I find it offensive I do not want anyone to call me this but only older men tend to do so When I point out to them that I am not young they either argue with me or scold me for not being young at heart Related Articles Asking Eric We were left in the corner amid the hoopla for our son s wife Harriette Cole My partner s excuse is he s tired from work I don t believe him Miss Manners I can t be expected to help every lady with her carry-on bag Dear Abby My husband died months ago How do I let other men know I m ready Asking Eric After she plucked my hair I won t be seeing my mother anymore My mother used to tell such men to get new glasses That was not effective either It seems harsh to inform them that if they persist in calling me young lady I will try to avoid them Do you have any suggestions GENTLE READER If I at my age am a young lady then what does that make you Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website www missmanners com to her email gentlereader missmanners com or through postal mail to Miss Manners Andrews McMeel Syndication Walnut St Kansas City MO