Miss Manners: Strangers want to take our photo, and they’re bugged when I say no

DEAR MISS MANNERS I have had a recurring situation happen for the past five years since I have been married Related Articles Miss Manners She contaminated the soup and then got petulant with me Miss Manners The frustrating tennis tournament is a dark cloud in my life Miss Manners The secret about my new house got out and now things are awkward at work Miss Manners The bride s mother sent me a bill How should I respond Miss Manners Am I the only one who has this kind of restroom encounter My husband and I enjoy taking photos of us together using a timer on the camera We have fun with the random photo expressions and experience gratification this way We set up a camera or phone on a tripod then count down until it clicks Almost every time we do this in population a stranger will expeditiously come up and ask if they can help us by taking the photo I respond with No thank you I say it kindly but it still causes an unpleasant feeling every time It is met with severe shock disbelief and often facial disappointment on their part and there is often a lingering negative emotion hanging around I understand they come from a place of wanting to help But should I have to explain why we don t need their assistance I have of late tried saying No thank you This is fun for us to do it this way But that doesn t work either GENTLE READER Perhaps a slight variation on that Thank you so much but it s just a thing we do accompanied by a self-deprecating laugh that says Aren t we silly Wouldn t you prefer not to get involved Miss Manners feels reasonably certain that if you execute that last part successfully most of people will acquiesce If you want to tailor it to different generations for maximum effect you might replace thing with tradition for the older set and trend for the younger The former may still look puzzled but the latter should understand DEAR MISS MANNERS I need to know if I am justified in feeling miffed Let me set the scene I was the second of three people waiting in line to pay for our purchases at a shop in our small town The proprietor was the cashier known to all of us First Person in Line was having a spirited conversation while her purchases were wrapped and bagged Third Person and I maintained our silence However after First Person disclosed her goodbyes Third Person started right in loudly conversing with the proprietor about people I knew nothing about and usurping my opportunity to fully enjoy an essential part of my local shopping experience I could barely get in a yes when petitioned if I wished my gifts wrapped Am I right in feeling slighted Related Articles Dear Abby My genius daughter won t get a job and it s wrecking her marriage Asking Eric I don t love my mom That doesn t make me a sociopath Harriette Cole Are you kidding me The wife who wants to date doesn t deserve sympathy Miss Manners She contaminated the soup and then got petulant with me Dear Abby My gaslighting husband announced the police came to our house because of what I did GENTLE READER Sure You waited patiently for your turn and were robbed of a good gossip with your local proprietor With any luck it was a singular offense If it happens again however you have Miss Manners consent to insert yourself into the conversation Who are you talking about Liza I m not sure I know her I do know Lisa on Mulberry Street and she s a doll Her cherry trees are in full bloom right now Have you seen them Oh you definitely should This should teach Third Person to wait their conversational turn 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 Walnut St Kansas City MO