DEAR MISS MANNERS: My father offered one of my root beers to a guest of my aunt's. Was he right?
Or should he not have offered my stuff since I had nothing to do with the guest? Please help me with this so I can stop being angry when he does this.
GENTLE READER: It is time to have a talk with your father, now that he is of an age where he can understand the consequences of his actions. You must be the adult. And adults do not begrudge using available supplies to offer hospitality to guests.
Miss Manners suggests you explain to him that just as he taught you to respect his feelings and his things, he owes you the same courtesy. You would be happy to share your root beer with your aunt's friend, but he should have asked you first.
(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)