DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I dine out often. I use my napkin and have good manners, but even so, there are times that I apparently get small particles of food on my face.

When this happens, my husband thinks it’s fun to play “food-on-your-face charades.” He will point to his own face to let me know that there is a problem, then when I use my napkin to clean it up, he will say “wrong side” and point to another place on his face.

This can go on three or four times until I feel totally embarrassed and humiliated.

GENTLE READER: And that amuses him?

Miss Manners has no trouble solving your surface problem: Carry a small mirror in your purse, and check your face yourself. But you might want to consider that the underlying problem also requires attention.

COPYRIGHT 2025 JUDITH MARTIN

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