[Mrs. Don-o]

Since you are one to appreciate simplicity, even elegance of expression...

[Tax-chick]

Thank you. I’m a long-time fan of Miss Manners - since high school. I had no idea she was still alive.

[Tax-chick]

Home education should include not only the etiquette rules necessary to navigate life, but the underlying principles of manners.

I just went through a round of this while explaining to several offspring why I was buying a flower arrangement for the used-car dealer who arranged and paid for repairs to our brand-new-to-us used car, when he was under no legal obligation to do anything. "A major service like this requires acknowledgment over-and-above a hand-written, vociferously-grateful thank-you note."

"Wow," said various offspring.

The note (in Spanish) will go to Manuel-the-Mechanic. I made sure I had the address of his place of business.