This week, we talk about how to tell family and friends to let a loved one finish their sentences, answering this question from a listener:
"Several years ago my mom had a stroke, which thankfully only mildly affected her ability to remember the odd word in a conversation. It's usually very hard to notice, but when she's tired she sometimes needs a few moments to get a word or two out. My dad and I are used to this and wait patiently for the words to come. It usually just takes a second or two.
"However, friends and extended family are often times unaccustomed to this method and tend to try speak for her. This can really be aggravating because my mom is certainly capable of speaking for herself and more times than not, people guess incorrectly. What is a polite way to ask loved ones to hold their tongues?"
Also, we answer this question about table manners:
"While eating, I occasionally glide my teeth instead of my lips over the fork. My husband can hear my teeth gliding over the fork and says it's very bad manners. Is it bad manners to use your teeth to scrape food from your fork into your mouth?"
