My significant other is deeply uncomfortable with this. They feel that it is impolite to raise the expectations of a store attendant that you may be making a purchase — especially if you ask a question or derive some benefit from the interaction without making a purchase.
I disagree. Stores know that not all customers will purchase an item but that providing a reasonable level of assistance will increase the chance of converting a window shopper into a paying customer. I was never annoyed to answer brief questions from polite window shoppers when I worked retail in my youth.
On the other hand, my partner points out that some associates still receive commissions on sales, so each person entering a store will raise their expectations despite my good intentions.
Both of these things can be true. As long as you are not treating the store as a museum, taking up the associates’ time (although if the store is quiet and they are passionate about their wares, it is possible they might enjoy the conversation), Miss Manners finds it acceptable to browse.
Of course, window shopping does mean looking through the window from the outside, not from within, so you may want to more clearly define your terms. But otherwise, every store associate knows that a sale is never guaranteed — and being polite and answering questions is always more apt to pique a prospective buyer’s interest than the opposite.
Dear Miss Manners: For many years, a friend would invite me and a guest to an annual exclusive black-tie event at a historic private club. I would reciprocate with invitations to a similar occasion. For obvious reasons, we didn’t socialize this way during the pandemic. But now that quarantine is over, I see they are going to this event without me.
This is obviously their right, but I am sad. I miss their company, and I miss the event. Is there any way to ask about it without seeming churlish and rude?
The next time you see them, wistfully mention, “I do miss our black-tie events together. Maybe someday we’ll be able to return to them together.”
For maximum guilt, Miss Manners suggests you do this at your house — over a lovely meal that you have just cooked and served them.
Dear Miss Manners: Is it appropriate to wear a black dress to a wedding?
Not unless you are protesting it.
New Miss Manners columns are posted Monday through Saturday on washingtonpost.com/advice. You can send questions to Miss Manners at her website, missmanners.com. You can also follow her @RealMissManners.
