DEAR MISS MANNERS: I wrote a thank-you note to a co-worker over a year and half ago, and just this week it came back with a sticky note attached that said, "I am returning this card to you with the spirit in which it was given."
What does this mean? Is it a true thank-you, or a slap in the face? I am confused; I have never gotten a thank-you note back, and she held on to it for almost two years.
GENTLE READER: Nothing good can come from sentiments exchanged on sticky notes. Evidently, this person thought that your thank-you note was somehow sarcastic and has decided to take it as an insult.
Miss Manners suggests that you ignore it. If you still work with the writer and your curiosity gets the better of you, you may ask if you inadvertently offended her. But if the answer is yes, please resist the urge to write, "I'm sorry" on yet another sticky note.