DEAR ABBY: Would you please weigh in on whether you think wearing sunglasses indoors -- particularly in the evening -- is rude and not conducive to friendly communication with others? (This isn't a situation involving eye problems.) -- NOTHING TO HIDE IN NEW JERSEY
DEAR NOTHING TO HIDE: It is said that the eyes are the windows of the soul. I agree that trying to converse with someone who is wearing sunglasses can be confusing, because it prevents you from picking up nonverbal cues you might otherwise be given.
The person you're writing about may be shy, paranoid or hiding the bleary remnants of a hangover. But unless you ask why he or she is hiding behind the sunglasses, you will never know if there's a valid reason for it.