DEAR MISS MANNERS: What is the proper response to a person who claims that what you say is not true?
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For example, if I were to tell someone something that I know to be fact, and the person responded with, "I don't think that's true" or "I think you're wrong" or something to that effect, should I continue reassuring said person of the accuracy of my statement, or give up altogether?
GENTLE READER: The traditional response is, "Are you calling me a liar?" followed by the choice of swords or pistols. Miss Manners does not advise this, and, at any rate, it seems unwarranted in this case, where the implication seems to be that you were mistaken. The non-lethal response is, "I think if you check, you'll find I'm right."
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