YOUR PROBLEMS SOLVED
Q. We have noticed among our diplomatic and trade development friends and acquaintances an irksome e-mail habit. They include us in a too-long list of other people copied on the same message. Doubtless this is a great time-saver and may also serve to show the world how many People they know. Interestingly, higher- ranking business and government people are more personal and less pretentious. What can we do to let our young aspira- tionalists in on a bit of commonsense Courtesy?
Name and address withheld A. Thank you for your e-mail whose subject You wittily dubbed 'the cc list'. Indeed, why not gently tease these friends by sending them an e-mail from you with a faked list of grandees to whom it has been copied, divided into categories of 'A list', `B list' and of course `C list', on which their own names would appear. Underneath this you could write, 'Sorry, that should have read cc hst!. Only teasing! Seriously though, I have been advised to set up my e-mail pro- gramme to delete anything where there are more than five ccs. This is to cope with the-- growing problem of junk e-mails. If you Wish to e-mail us please send a blind copy (3.1. one which will be copied to fewer than five people simultaneously so that we can have the pleasure of reading it.'
Dear Mary. . .
Q. We are the proud parents of our first baby and have employed a local nanny who lives out. Nanny seems perfect in every way except one. She bypasses the adorable little 100 per cent hand-smocked cotton or linen dresses and cardigans, pretty bootees, etc. with which we have stocked baby's wardrobe, and dresses her instead in hideous shell suits and other costumes bought with her own money. A generous but unwelcome gesture! How can we indi- cate, without causing offence to Nanny, that we wish our own taste in clothing to take precedence over hers?
K W-T, London SW3 A. Next time you see baby in a new shell suit cry, `Oh you are generous!' to Nanny. `But you'd better not let my mother see her in that!' You can then explain that your mother is footing part of the bill for Nanny's salary — 'but unfortunately she's a complete stickler for traditional clothing. She really believes that it's unhealthy for babies to wear shell suits or bright clothing and because she's such a bully I've just got to humour her otherwise she might cut off funding!' Collude with your mother or another elderly relative to go along with this ruse and thereby deflect resentment from your immediate selves.
Q. I have recently got married and my wife has moved into my apartment. She has brought with her the services of her own daily lady who has worked for her for years. She is a wonderful old bird and I could not recommend her services more highly; my shirts are all beautifully ironed and folded. But while my wife's previous flat was on the ground floor, I live at the very top of a tall building without a lift. Our daily is 75 years old and I am worried the climb will finish her off. What should I do?
Name and address withheld A. Why not do a swap with some local friends or family who live on a ground floor and who are serviced by a hefty Aus- tralian wench or youth? Alternatively, restrict her to ironing duties and drop the loads off at her own home so that you retain contact.
Mary Killen
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