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

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was at the head of a line to vote; the precinct wasn’t crowded, and no one’s wait was long. The precinct volunteer encountered a problem that prompted her to seek help, and I spent my wait looking at the floor rather than staring in her direction, not wanting her to misinterpret my gaze as annoyance (the wait was no big deal).

After about 30 seconds, the person behind me jabbed my left shoulder five times, HARD, to alert me to the volunteer’s availability.

Miss Manners, I am ill, weak, meek and small (5 feet tall, 90 pounds); the stranger behind me was at least 6 inches taller, at least 20 years younger and clearly much stronger/sturdier. I turned to her and mumbled “sorry.”

I wish I’d had the

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