DEAR ABBY: I'm a 31-year-old woman who was taught growing up that if a person older than I doesn't have a seat, to give mine up. I now have a few questions about this practice.
If someone refuses the seat I offer, what do I do? How long should I remain standing, waiting for him or her to sit down? I have experienced this issue with the baby-boomer generation -- people in their 50s and 60s who refuse to take the seat. I feel like an idiot standing with them while a seat is available. Any help you can offer would be great. -- MINDING MY MANNERS IN NEW YORK
DEAR MINDING YOUR MANNERS: (And beautiful manners they are.) You are dealing with the generation who coined the phrase "Don't trust anyone over 30." Most boomers, some of whom are now turning 65, do not consider themselves to be "older." Don't let it be lost on you that there's a very successful store called Forever 21 that doesn't cater just to teenagers. If one of the eternally young refuses your generous offer, the appropriate thing to do is sit back down. No harm, no foul.