DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am Caucasian, raising my two biracial granddaughters. We are constantly barraged with questions from perfect strangers as to our relationship, reason for being together, and other personal history.
I need help with an appropriate response that will not promote anger or further racial tensions -- but will allow me and my girls some dignity and peace.
GENTLE READER: As your granddaughters will observe your response, these are opportunities to teach them how to deflect nosy questions without getting into altercations.
The response Miss Manners suggests, no matter what these people have the nerve to ask, is, “Thank you, I’m very proud of my granddaughers.”