Miss Manners: Do I have to thank someone for advice I never wanted?

MISS MANNERS by Judith Martin, Nicholas Ivor Martin and Jacobina Martin

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When receiving unsolicited advice, with no intention of following it, is it preferable to simply reply “thank you” or to share one’s reasoning for dismissing the advice?

GENTLE READER: “Thank you” will suffice. Unless your intention is to argue, in which case, by all means let them in on your objection.

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, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.